I was given a Canon EF 135mm f/2.8, wedding question

[jspekbb6]

I was given a Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 by a fellow photographer yesterday. I was wondering if anyone that has done weddings with this lens? I am curious about using it because of the soft focus.

[venchka]

Use it. If your clients like it, keep it. If not, pass it along to someone who will use it.

[mmuhlenkamp]

The soft focus feature can be tricky (and I wouldn't be experimenting at a wedding unless you're just a tag-a-long or something), I actually hardly ever use it, the lens is very sharp and capable with the dial turned to zero.

However, if you want to play with it the dial can be set anywhere between the notches don't feel like you have to stick to the 1 or 2 setting. The soft-focus dial will have no effect if you go above f/4 (the wider the aperature, the stronger the effect).

Here are some examples of what the effect will look like:

No soft-focus
http://www.squawkboxdesigns.com/135SF/135SF-.jpg

slight soft-focus (at 1/2 or 1)
http://www.squawkboxdesigns.com/135SF/135SF-7440.jpg

Full blown soft-focus (at 2) (just for fun)
http://www.squawkboxdesigns.com/135SF/135SF-7459.jpg

[venchka]

Well done Melissa! That's a nice lens. In moderation.

[shnitz]

Solid Melissa. I like your second shot, you can't even tell that soft focus is engaged, which is the way it should be. The overdone effect makes it look like a glamour shot from Napoleon Dynamite!