Canon FD 135mm f2.5 vs f2.8

yusuf · Joined: 19 Jan 2013 Posts: 68 Location: India

I have a Canon FD 135mm f2 and I am great fan of it, outclasses every 135mm I have including Pentax SMC 135/f2.5. Sometime back I posted a comparison on PF.

Based on my positive experience with f2, I am planning to get Canon FD 135mm f2.8 for backup . However, seller also offered me f2.5 SC. Both the lenses for similar price, around $90 each. Unfortunately I can't try them as the seller is in another city and hence like to get your opinion between f2.5 vs f2.8, the later is smaller and latest compared to former one which is as heavy as f2.

Also, I will be shooting wide-open so how they perform against f2.

Thanks for your help

Atlasman · Joined: 30 Oct 2013 Posts: 28 Location: Canada

I too have the FDn 135 f2, but I also owned the FD 135mm f2.5. The weight of the latter is significant. I own a Nikkor AIS 135mm f2.8 and its much lighter. So based on my experience, I'd go for the 2.8 version.

Joseph

shapencolour · Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Posts: 270

If you have the 135/2 already,and look for something small and lightweight within this fl,the 135/2.8 would be your choice.The 135/2.5 is an excellent lens,both in optical and mechanical terms,but it's much bigger,heavier and it's IQ is comparable to the 135/2.8 FDn.

BTW:my opinion is basing on the real life experience with 1xFDn 135/2.0+2x135/2.5 SC+2X135/2.8 FDn that I have,tested on my Sony A7 bodies and NEX5N/7 bodies.

yusuf · Joined: 19 Jan 2013 Posts: 68 Location: India

Thanks both of you.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

I have a sort of related question regarding these lenses. The only FD 135mm I'm familiar with is the f/2.5 SC model, which is built like a tank and a superb performer, in my view. But I've never had the opportunity to use any of the others and I'd like to know: are any of the other Canon FD 135s internal focusing? Canon also made a f/3.5 too, right? I like the IF Canon FD lenses because they're such fast focusing optics compared to the more standard designs.

shapencolour · Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Posts: 270

yusuf - at f2.5,I would say,they are about the same,but from f4 ,the 135/2 clearly wins.From f5.6 it is even better - very sharp across the frame with wirtually no CA on the Sony A7.

Canon FD 135/2 at f2+Sony A7
http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1418560842.SEQ.3.jpg
http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1418193113.SEQ.0.jpg
http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1407691394.SEQ.0.jpg
http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1408271257.SEQ.0.jpg

Canon FD SSC 135/2.5 at f 2.5 + Sony A7
http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1401615296.SEQ.0.jpg
Canon FDn 135/2.8 at f2.8 + Sony A7
http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1398525833.SEQ.0.jpg

cooltouch - The 135/3.5 is the worst of all 135mm FD Canons wide open and the only one I decide to resell after trying,BUT stop it down to f5.6 and it's pretty much the same as the 135/2.8.

yusuf · Joined: 19 Jan 2013 Posts: 68 Location: India

Thank you so much. Unfortunately the f2.8 was having a bit of mold so decided to pass it and get the f2.5 instead, should get it by next week, hope it's as good as f2.

In the mean time, some of my pics with f2

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

Lovely set, the first shot is really great Smile

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

Indeed, a great capture.

yusuf · Joined: 19 Jan 2013 Posts: 68 Location: India

thank you so much Smile

trifox · Expire: 2014-05-29

@ yusuf - nice pictures!

I have got Canon FD 135 f2, 135 f3.5 both FDn and breech-lock version and finally 135 f2.5 breech-lock.

They're all differenet.

I would rate 135 f2.5 very high, it is a fantastic lens - very sharp wide open.

Canon FD 135 f2.5 on EOS 5DMkII:

yusuf · Joined: 19 Jan 2013 Posts: 68 Location: India

lovely pics, thanks for sharing.

shapencolour · Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Posts: 270

yusuf · Joined: 19 Jan 2013 Posts: 68 Location: India

I received FD 2.5 last week and I my first impression is really good. It feels lighter compared to FD f2 but pretty much the same compared to Pentax K135/2.5.

All three lenses are pretty good and you won't find difference in real-life unless you pixel peep. Below are pictures from all three lenses, lets see if you can find out which one is from which. Will post crop and more comparison after that. Canon FD f2.5 and K135 were should at f2.5 and Canon FD f2 at f2.8