Canon Canon 135mm f3.5 Heritage

Overview

The Canon 135mm f/3.5 is a long-running budget telephoto that spans multiple eras of Canon's optical history. Its origins reach back to a Leica Thread Mount (LTM) rangefinder version released around 1950, which was manufactured for roughly 25 years and appeared in 8 different versions—changes that, per Canon lore, were purely visual with the optical formula reportedly unchanged. On rangefinders, 135mm sits at the very upper limit of usability, framed via small dedicated framelines (as on the Canon Model 7) or an external viewfinder. The FD-mount lineage that followed had two major eras: the older FD version sold from 1970 to 1978, and the New FD (nFD) version introduced in 1979. The older FD line itself had three sub-versions: a 1970 original (4 elements/3 groups, 8 aperture blades), a 1973 lighter revision (same optics, 8 blades), and a 1976 version that switched to 4 elements in 4 groups with only 6 blades. All older FD variants used the simpler S.C. coating. The 1979 nFD version is lighter still, retains the 4-element/4-group design and 6 blades, but upgrades to the more advanced S.S.C. coating. This is a lens people love not for prestige but for value: it's small, light, cheap, and delivers performance that reviewers say rivals modern lenses costing dramatically more. No established nicknames are evidenced beyond the LTM reviewer's playful, personal remark that the long thin rangefinder version gives off 'clown vibes' on the camera—not an established community term.

Verdict: The Canon 135mm f/3.5 is a modest, honest, and remarkably affordable short telephoto that punches far above its price—especially the New FD version, whose S.S.C. coating, low vignetting, smooth bokeh, and sharp-across-the-frame performance rival far pricier glass. It's ideal for the budget-minded photographer who wants a compact, well-built 135mm for portraits and compression, and isn't bothered by the fiddly FD mount, plastic-heavy nFD construction, or the leisurely f/3.5 aperture. It's a great shooter but, as reviewers note, a less compelling collector's piece than Canon's more striking breech-lock lenses.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Smooth and creamy on the New FD, avoiding distinct polygons from point sources.

Sharpness wide open

Razor sharp in the center wide open at f/3.5; sharp across the entire frame by f/5.6, with focus shift present.

Flare resistance

New FD S.S.C. coating nearly eliminates flare; older S.C. versions are less flare-resistant.

Vignetting

Very low; roughly one stop wide open, about 0.4 stop at f/5.6, and ~0.2 stop stopped down further on the nFD.

Community Insights

What people love

Outstanding value—copies are found for as little as $20–$80, delivering performance reviewers say rivals lenses costing thousands
Razor-sharp center wide open and sharp across the whole frame by f/5.6 (New FD)
Smooth bokeh that avoids polygonal specular highlights (New FD)
Very low vignetting and near-total flare suppression thanks to S.S.C. coating (New FD)
Light, compact, and metal-bodied—reviewers note it feels much more robust than the smaller nFD 50mm and 28mm lenses
Smooth focus with a pleasant ~220° throw, engraved paint-filled markings, tight felt-lined built-in hood, and a non-rotating front for easy polarizer use

What people dislike

The FD breech-lock mount is tedious, requiring perfect alignment to mount and remove
The aperture ring is a little stiff, as with many FD lenses
New FD construction uses a lot of plastic and doesn't 'scream quality' compared to contemporaries; some find it unattractive and consider it a poor collector's piece
135mm on a rangefinder (LTM version) uses small framelines and sits in an awkward 'middle zone' focal length that many photographers rarely use
The slow f/3.5 maximum aperture is modest compared to faster 135mm alternatives

Pro Tips

Stop down to about f/5.6 for sharpness across the entire frame while keeping vignetting negligible
Because focus shift is present, refocus for the center rather than trusting infinity/near-stop focus positions
Use the non-rotating front barrel to your advantage with a polarizer
On mirrorless (e.g. Sony a7II, Canon EOS R) pair it with an L-bracket for better balance, as the lens can feel a tad long when the hood is extended
Prefer the New FD (S.S.C.) version if flare resistance matters; the older S.C. versions are less coated
For rangefinder use, a body with dedicated 135mm framelines (Canon Model 7) or a more magnified finder (Leica M3) makes the small framelines more usable

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Canon 135mm f/3.5 is a long-running budget telephoto that spans multiple eras of Canon's optical history. Its origins reach back to a Leica Thread Mount (LTM) rangefinder version released around 1950, which was manufactured for roughly 25 years and appeared in 8 different versions—changes that, per Canon lore, were purely visual with the optical formula reportedly unchanged. On rangefinders, 135mm sits at the very upper limit of usability, framed via small dedicated framelines (as on the Canon Model 7) or an external viewfinder. The FD-mount lineage that followed had two major eras: the older FD version sold from 1970 to 1978, and the New FD (nFD) version introduced in 1979. The older FD line itself had three sub-versions: a 1970 original (4 elements/3 groups, 8 aperture blades), a 1973 lighter revision (same optics, 8 blades), and a 1976 version that switched to 4 elements in 4 groups with only 6 blades. All older FD variants used the simpler S.C. coating. The 1979 nFD version is lighter still, retains the 4-element/4-group design and 6 blades, but upgrades to the more advanced S.S.C. coating. This is a lens people love not for prestige but for value: it's small, light, cheap, and delivers performance that reviewers say rivals modern lenses costing dramatically more. No established nicknames are evidenced beyond the LTM reviewer's playful, personal remark that the long thin rangefinder version gives off 'clown vibes' on the camera—not an established community term.

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/canon-nfd-3-5-135-a-review/https://50mmf2.com/writings/canon-135mm-f3.5-ltm-lens-reviewhttps://chasehagen.com/blog/canon-fd-135mm-f25-schttps://stephend.photo/canon-new-fd-135mm-f35