The Canon EF 135mm f2L USM is, quite rightly, a legendary lens. One of the sharpest models around when it was released, it remains a cult favourite with its owners to this day, delivering a classic portrait view with crisp details and attractive creamy background blur. But launched in 1996, it’s now well over 20 years old, during which time optical design has not only moved-on a great deal but the bodies behind them now place ever-greater demands on resolution. In particular Sony’s blisteringly-sharp FE 135mm f1.8 G Master has shown us what’s possible with a 2019 telephoto lens. So the big question is: can a 20 year-old lens really compete with a modern alternative, or has the Canon met its match?

This is the question I put to my friend Ben Harvey, who happens to not only be a passionate owner of the EF 135mm f2 on his EOS 5D Mark III, but also a Sony A7 III owner who’s curious how the lenses for that system compare. I loaned him the Sony lens for a couple of weeks to try it out, during which time I was also able to let him try his Canon lens adapted to the EOS RP mirrorless camera. Find out what he discovered in the video below! PS – I’ve also added my in-depth video reviews of the Sony FE 135mm f1.8 G Master and the Canon EOS RP lower on the page.

Check prices on the Canon EF 135mm f2L USM at Amazon, B&H or WEX.