A Review of the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM for Wildlife Photography
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM isn’t your typical wildlife lens. Traditionally a portrait photography favorite, it offers wildlife photographers stunning subject isolation and impressive low-light performance. But can a 135mm lens hold its own in the field?
After extensive field testing, I learned that this fast prime lens offers creative opportunities that super-telephotos simply can’t match. But it also comes with challenges, especially in a genre where lenses over 400mm are the norm.
This review of the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 will explore its strengths, limitations, and real-world use to help you decide whether this lens fits your wildlife photography needs.
Eastern mountain gorilla | Canon R8 + Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM | ISO 1250, 1/1000, f/1.8
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Overview of the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is a high-performance L-series prime lens designed for exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and low-light capability. While it wasn’t built for wildlife, its optical quality and fast aperture make it an intriguing option for specific scenarios.
Specifications
Focal Length: 135mm
Max Aperture: f/1.8
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.7 m / 2.3 ft
Magnification Ratio: 0.26x
Weight: 2.1 lb. (935g)
Image Stabilization: Up to 5.5 stops (8 stops with IBIS)
Dimensions: 3.5 in. x 5.3 in. (89.2mm x 130.3mm)
Greater flamingo | Canon R10 + Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM | ISO 800, 1/25, f/1.8
Pros
Aperture
With an ultra-wide f/1.8 aperture, the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM is one of the fastest telephoto lenses available. This makes it an excellent choice for low-light wildlife photography, allowing for faster shutter speeds and lower ISOs when shooting at dawn, dusk, or in dense forests.
Beyond low-light performance, f/1.8 excels at subject isolation, creating stunning bokeh and soft, beautifully blurred backgrounds. This makes the lens a powerful tool for portraits and environmental wildlife shots, where separating the subject from a busy background enhances the composition.
However, the razor-thin depth of field presents challenges, particularly with fast-moving wildlife. Even minor subject movement can push key details out of focus, requiring precise autofocus and careful composition to ensure sharpness.
To overcome this and make this a non-issue, I employ two techniques:
Continuous autofocus and burst mode: This ensures the camera is constantly adjusting focus while shooting, increasing the chances of capturing at least one critically sharp frame.
Stopping down to f/2.8 or f/4: While I try to avoid sacrificing background blur, narrowing the aperture increases the depth of field and improves overall sharpness, reducing the risk of missed focus.
Image quality
For a lens of this price, it is no surprise that, even at f/1.8, the Canon RF 135mm delivers incredible sharpness.
As long as you can get close enough, you will have no problem capturing all the fine details in fur and feathers with precision. Of all the Canon lenses in my toolkit, the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 beats all of them – including the Canon RF 100-400 and Canon RF 200-800 – in terms of image quality and bokeh by far, except maybe the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM, if I get within range.
Note: While lens sharpness is important for wildlife photography, your technique often plays a more significant role in achieving sharp results. Whether you use a tripod or employ good hand-holding techniques can make a difference in your photographs, sometimes more so than the lens itself.
Low-light performance
With an f/1.8 aperture, the Canon RF 135mm gathers way more light than typical wildlife zooms. I’m not exaggerating when I say I have used this lens in near night-time conditions, such as the greater flamingo in Spain in the photo above.
To put its low-light advantage into perspective, imagine photographing a heron on a riverbank. With an f/4 lens, you need to shoot at ISO 3200 to properly expose the scene. But with an f/1.8 lens at the same shutter speed, you could achieve the same exposure at just ISO 800, an ISO four times lower, resulting in cleaner images with less noise. This wide aperture also allows for faster shutter speeds, helping to freeze action more effectively in low light.
However, this same advantage can become a drawback in bright sunlight. Shooting wide open at f/1.8 in strong daylight can easily lead to overexposure, forcing you to stop down the aperture and sacrifice some of the dreamy bokeh this lens is known for. In harsh lighting, using an ND filter can help retain the wide aperture look while controlling exposure.
Ultimately, this lens excels in low light, giving wildlife photographers an edge where other lenses struggle. But in bright conditions, careful exposure management is necessary to fully utilize its creative potential.
Autofocus
The autofocus on the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM is strong for wildlife photography, especially when paired with Canon’s Animal Eye AF. However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind.
This lens wasn’t designed specifically for wildlife photography, so its autofocus isn’t as fast as super-telephoto lenses, even with its wide f/1.8 aperture. While it performs well, it’s not on the same level as dedicated wildlife lenses like the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 that are built for speed and subject tracking.
The next point is crucial for your wildlife photography in general: autofocus accuracy largely depends on proximity. The lens will track well as long as you’re close enough for your subject to be within the autofocus box. In real-world wildlife photography, this is a crucial factor. Even the best autofocus can’t compensate for insufficient reach.
Image stabilization
Canon states that this lens has 5.5 stops of stabilization (or 8 stops with IBIS), making handheld wildlife photography more practical. If that is true, it is as good as the Canon RF 100-400. However, given my experience with both, I don’t see that as the case, despite it being highly effective.
A significant advantage of this lens is how image stabilization works with its f/1.8 aperture. Unlike slower telephoto lenses, which often rely on IS to maintain sharpness, the 135mm allows faster shutter speeds, naturally reducing motion blur. Its lightweight design and stabilization system help ensure sharp images even when shooting at slower shutter speeds.
With image stabilization activated, I’ve captured sharp images at 1/25 and, in some cases, even 1/10, using proper handholding techniques. And that is on either a Canon R8 or R10, which do not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS). With IBIS, like a camera like the Canon R6 II or R5 II, you can shoot at even slower shutter speeds to capture images that normally wouldn’t be possible.
Bokeh
The f/1.8 aperture of the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM delivers stunning background blur, making subjects pop with a three-dimensional effect that’s impossible to achieve with f/5.6 or f/8. This level of separation draws attention to the subject, producing an elegant, professional look.
In certain conditions, this lens can mimic the background compression of longer telephoto lenses, especially when shooting at eye level with a distant background. However, its versatility extends beyond that. Unlike super-telephotos, which often force a similar look, the 135mm allows for greater creative freedom, whether shooting from above, below, near, far, or integrating the subject into its environment. With slower lenses, the subject might not stand out enough without careful composition, whereas this lens naturally enhances depth and isolation.
This combination of flexibility and strong bokeh makes the 135mm f/1.8 capable of creating images that wouldn’t be possible with slower telephotos. It unlocks new compositions that make it stand out from traditional wildlife lenses.
Size and weight
While longer telephoto lenses can be heavy, tiring to handhold, and often require tripods, the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 is compact and easy to shoot handheld for extended periods. This makes it an excellent option for wildlife photographers who prioritize mobility or want a lightweight telephoto as a secondary lens.
Ruddy turnstone | Canon R8 + Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM | ISO 500, 1/16000, f/2.2
Cons
Price
As of writing this review, this lens costs $1,899.00 (£ 2,699.99). While it may not seem as expensive compared to typical wildlife photography lenses, like the Canon RF 400 f/2.8 ($11,999) or RF 600 f/4 ($12,999), it is a major expense when considering how niche its use is compared to other lenses.
In other words, while the f/1.8 aperture provides enormous advantages, being restricted to a short focal length puts it at a considerable disadvantage against most wildlife photography lenses, some of which can zoom from shorter to much longer focal lengths, like the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM and the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM.
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 could be a valuable crossover lens for those who shoot both wildlife and portrait photography. However, if wildlife is the primary focus, most photographers would find better value in longer telephoto lenses.
Focal length and reach
At 135mm, this lens falls on the short end of telephoto for wildlife photography. It’s best suited for subjects you can get close to, far more so than most animals we photograph.
I have had success with waterfowl in urban parks (e.g. Hyde Park in London), nesting seabirds on islands in the Pacific Ocean (e.g. the brown booby below), or shorebirds that wander within meters of the lens on the beach. In these situations, its lightweight build and fast aperture provide excellent versatility.
However, for distant wildlife or smaller subjects like songbirds, 135mm is limiting. Even with the best fieldcraft, you can’t always get close enough, and 300-600mm lenses are far better suited for these scenarios.
Brown booby | Canon R8 + Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM | ISO 250, 1/1000, f/1.8
How to best use the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8
Using the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 for wildlife photography requires a different approach than a typical telephoto lens. Since 135mm is relatively short, you’ll need to focus on habituated animals, creative compositions, and low-light opportunities to make the most of this lens.
Shoot at super fast shutter speeds
Take advantage of the f/1.8 aperture to use higher shutter speeds than most wildlife lenses. This helps freeze motion more effectively, especially since wildlife rarely sits still.
While the 135mm focal length isn’t ideal for birds, a super-fast shutter speed (up to 1/16,000 sec) improves your chances of capturing sharp images if birds in flight come within range.
In low light, this lens allows for faster shutter speeds without pushing ISO too high, which is critical for maintaining image quality in dim conditions.
Know its limitations, but experiment
While 135mm is short for wildlife, the fast aperture and close focusing distance allow for unique compositions that longer telephoto lenses cannot achieve.
Although we generally shoot at eye level for smoother backgrounds and more intimate photos, the f/1.8 aperture ensures strong bokeh in a wider range of scenarios. Combined with the wider field of view, this enables unique compositions that are not possible with longer lenses.
Experiment with different angles to create diverse compositions, including shooting from above or positioning your subject within its environment. Adjusting your aperture will also help control background blur and sharpness for greater creative control.
Get really close to your subjects
At 135mm, distance is the biggest limitation, so getting physically close is essential. This lens works best for approachable wildlife, like urban birds. Use fieldcraft to get within range without disturbing wildlife.
With a minimum focus distance of 70 cm and 0.26x magnification, this lens can capture impressive close-up details in animals. Use this to create unique, intimate wildlife portraits, emphasizing textures like fur, feathers, or scales in a way that longer lenses often cannot.
Try it on crop and full-frame sensors
The 135mm focal length looks different on full-frame and crop sensors. Testing both can help you determine which best suits your shooting style.
On a full-frame camera like my Canon R8, the 135mm provides classic medium telephoto perspective, allowing for wider environmental compositions while maintaining strong subject isolation.
On a crop sensor such as the Canon R10, the 1.6x crop factor effectively extends the focal length to 216mm that improves its use for smaller or more distant subjects. While it doesn’t replace a true super-telephoto, the crop factor adds more flexibility for those balancing reach and portability.
Pair it with a longer lens to not miss out on shots
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 works best as a secondary rather than a primary wildlife lens. Pairing it with a longer telephoto ensures you don’t miss key moments where 135mm falls short.
A versatile zoom like the Canon RF 100-400mm or a prime like the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 will cover traditional distances, allowing the 135mm f/1.8 to shine in situations where subject isolation and background blur take priority.
Use wide apertures for creative backgrounds
The f/1.8 aperture creates beautifully blurred backgrounds, making your subjects pop. To maximize subject separation, get close, position your subject far from the background, and shoot wide open. By getting close, using low light, and leveraging a shallow depth of field, you can create wildlife images that stand out from standard telephoto shots.
Golden monkey | Canon R8 + Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM | ISO 100, 1/1000, f/1.8
Competitors
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM lens occupies a unique position in the market. Comparing it to other lenses with overlapping focal lengths highlights its strengths and weaknesses. If you need more reach, zoom flexibility, or a lower price, here’s how it stacks up against its closest competitors.
Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
A budget-friendly wildlife zoom that trades low-light performance for reach and affordability.
Pros
Cheaper: At $649, this lens costs a fraction of the RF 135mm f/1.8.
Lighter: Weighs 635g (1.4 lbs) vs. 935g (2.1 lbs).
Zoom range: 100-400mm zoom provides flexibility, but the RF 135mm is fixed.
Better reach: At 400mm, it captures distant wildlife better than the 135mm.
Faster autofocus: More reliable and quicker to lock focus.
Image stabilization: Better in real-world despite being the same on paper.
Cons
Slower aperture: At f/5.6-8, this lens requires higher ISOs in low light.
Less subject isolation: Doesn’t provide the shallow depth of field of the RF 135mm.
Worse bokeh: The f/1.8 aperture of the 135mm creates smoother background blur.
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
A high-end telephoto zoom that provides even more versatility and reach, though at a higher price.
Pros
Zoom range: 100-500mm covers a much broader focal length range to capture a variety of compositions.
Better reach: At 500mm, this lens is ideal for capturing farther wildlife.
Faster autofocus: More reliable and quicker to lock focus.
Image stabilization: Better in real-world despite being the same on paper.
Cons
Much more expensive: At $2,699, it costs significantly more than the RF 135mm ($1,899).
Heavier: Weighs 1625 g (3.35 lbs) vs. 935g (2.1 lbs).
Slower aperture: f/4.5-7.1 means it struggles more in low-light conditions.
Canon RF 70-200mm f/4
A high-end telephoto zoom that provides even more versatility and reach, though at a higher price.
Pros
Zoom range: Covers 70-200mm, offering flexibility over the fixed 135mm.
Weight: Weighs 695g (1.5 lbs) vs. 935g (2.1 lbs).
Compact design: Retractable design makes it smaller and easier to carry.
Cons
Expensive for f/4: Priced at $1,599, it sits between the 100-400mm and 135mm in cost.
Slower aperture: f/4 doesn’t match the f/1.8 low-light capability of the RF 135mm.
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
A high-end telephoto zoom that provides reach and excellent low-light performance at a premium price.
Pros
Zoom range: Covers 70-200mm unlike the fixed 135mm.
Faster autofocus: Allows for more accurate, in-focus photos.
Cons
Expensive: At $2,599, it’s $700 more than the RF 135mm ($1,899).
Slower aperture: f/2.8 vs f/1.8 on the RF 135mm.
Heavier: At 1070g (2.36 lbs) vs. 935g (2.1 lbs), it’s somewhat bulkier.
Magnificent frigatebird | Canon R8 + Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM | ISO 800, 1/50, f/1.8
Who is this lens for?
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is not a general-purpose wildlife lens. It is a niche tool that excels in low-light conditions, subject isolation, and close-range wildlife photography. Understanding its strengths and limitations is key to deciding whether this lens belongs in your wildlife kit. You should consider this lens if:
You photograph approachable wildlife: If you shoot habituated animals, like those in urban parks, or can get really close to your subjects, the 135mm focal length provides excellent image quality while keeping your gear relatively compact.
You need a lens for low-light wildlife photography: With its f/1.8 aperture, this lens is ideal for shooting in dark conditions where traditional lenses struggle more often.
You prioritize subject isolation and background blur: If you want buttery bokeh and subject separation, this lens produces an artistic, three-dimensional look that’s hard to achieve with slower wildlife lenses.
You want to shoot more environmental wildlife portraits: If you enjoy placing wildlife within its surroundings, 135mm balances subject isolation and environment.
You already own it for portraits: If you’re a portrait photographer looking to experiment with wildlife photography, this lens provides a creative way to shoot without investing in a dedicated super-telephoto.
You might want to skip this lens if:
You need a long focal length: At 135mm, this lens lacks the reach for regular wildlife working distances (unless you prioritize small-in-frame shots), making it impractical for most wildlife photography.
You want versatility to zoom: If you prefer framing flexibility, a zoom lens may be a better fit.
You want to save money: At $1,899, this lens is a premium investment. While it offers exceptional optical performance, wildlife photographers on a budget may get more value from a longer, more versatile telephoto lens like the Canon RF 100-400mm ($649).
European stonechat | Canon R10 + Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM | ISO 160, 1/1000, f/1.8
Bottom line
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is an exceptional lens, but most wildlife photographers won’t need it. At $1,899, it sits in an awkward position — too expensive for a niche wildlife photography tool yet less versatile than similarly priced telephotos. Shooters looking for reach will find far better value in lenses like the Canon RF 100-400mm, RF 100-500mm, or Canon RF 200-800mm, all of which offer greater flexibility for a comparable or lower cost.
That said, for those who can work within its limitations, this lens delivers outstanding results. The f/1.8 aperture excels in low light, and its sharpness, subject isolation, and background blur are second to none. If you can get close enough, this lens will reward you with breathtaking image quality few wildlife lenses can match.
For most wildlife photographers, this won’t be a must-have. But for those who prioritize low-light shooting and subject isolation over reach, the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 is a one-of-a-kind tool that delivers spectacular images, if you’re able to get close enough to your subject.
Where to buy
If you are interested in purchasing the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8, there are several options on Amazon. If you live in Canada, Kijiji is a great place to get even cheaper gear if you are willing to buy cameras and lenses without an intermediary service.