Lightdow 135mm f/2.8 Lens Review: Worth the Investment?

Introduction

As an avid photographer using Canon DSLRs, I was on the lookout for a telephoto lens that wouldn't break the bank but still offered quality performance. The Lightdow 135mm f/2.8 FE UMC Telephoto Lens caught my eye for its unique features and competitive pricing. Designed specifically for Canon Rebel models, this lens could be a perfect fit for enthusiastic hobbyists and budding professionals alike who want to explore portrait and wildlife photography without heavy investment.

Key Features

• Ultra Multi-Coated Glass: The UMC coating helps reduce glare and ghosting, ensuring that images are clear and vibrant even under challenging lighting conditions.

• Wide Aperture Range: The f/2.8 - f/22 aperture range allows for beautiful blurred backgrounds and excellent depth of field control, which is perfect for portraits.

• Minimum Focusing Distance of 5 feet: This allows for close-up shots while still maintaining clarity, great for capturing fine details.

• Manual Focus Compatibility: While the lack of electronic contacts might be a downside for some, it also promotes a more artistic approach to photography, allowing for full control over focus.

• Adaptable to Full Frame and APS-C Cameras: With a 35mm equivalent focal length of 202.5mm on APS-C sensors, this lens provides great versatility across different Canon models.

Benefits

• Great image quality for the price, particularly in well-lit conditions.

• Enhanced control over depth of field to create dreamy backgrounds.

• Lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry for outdoor shoots.

• Encourages skill development in manual focusing, fostering better photography techniques.

Real-World Use Cases

• Capturing portraits in a park setting: The lens excels at isolating subjects in beautiful natural light, producing stunning portraits with smooth bokeh.

• Photographing wildlife from a distance: The 135mm focal length allows you to capture detail without disturbing the subject, making it a wonderful choice for wildlife photography.

• Shooting events with mixed lighting: Although challenging, the lens performs admirably by minimizing glare and producing vibrant colors.

Pros and Cons

Comparison

• Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L: While the Canon lens offers superior image stabilization and autofocus, the Lightdow provides a budget-friendly alternative that still captures great imagery, albeit with manual focus.

• Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8: Tamron's zoom option offers more versatility for varying shots but comes at a higher price point, making the Lightdow suitable for those who need a fixed focal length without breaking the bank.

Conclusion

Overall, I find the Lightdow 135mm f/2.8 lens a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their photography skills without spending a fortune. The pros far outweigh the cons, particularly for those willing to embrace manual focus. If you're a Canon user wanting more out of your photography, I definitely recommend giving this lens a try.