Canon's unique soft-focus portrait lens — the EF 135mm f/2.8 with adjustable soft-focus effect.
The Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus was released in 1987 as a unique portrait lens with a built-in adjustable soft-focus mechanism. The soft-focus effect deliberately introduces controlled spherical aberration to create a dreamy, flattering rendering for portraits — different from simply being out of focus. Two levels of softness are selectable in addition to normal sharp operation.
At the standard setting, the lens is sharp with good performance. Engaging the soft-focus produces a controlled glow around highlights while maintaining underlying sharpness — the hallmark of proper soft-focus technique. Two soft-focus intensity levels allow creative control. The effect is strongest at wider apertures and diminishes when stopped down. A genuinely unique creative tool.
Canon EF mount, full-frame. Filter thread is 52mm — compact. Weight is approximately 390 grams — lightweight. Build quality is good. The soft-focus mechanism is controlled by a ring on the lens barrel. No USM motor — standard micro-motor AF is audible. No image stabilisation. The compact size makes it a pleasant lens to carry and use.
Uncommon on the used market — the soft-focus concept has limited mainstream appeal. Check the soft-focus mechanism for smooth operation and AF motor function. A unique creative tool that produces effects impossible to replicate perfectly in software. The genuine optical soft-focus has a three-dimensional quality that digital filters cannot match.