The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Warspite · 03-01-2006, 01:35

Basically does anyone have one, if so what are your opinions - is it worth the £300+, do you like it, is it heavy or light, big or small, etc.

Thinking of possibly getting one but in one of those do I hold off and get something else or do I just bite the bullet and get it over with kind of moods.

I realize there are sites that have reviews but, I would really appreciate opinions of people in here if possible

Thanks

Bachs · 03-01-2006, 10:06

I'm definitely getting one in March.
My Mrs carefully controls the purse strings.

I've read the reviews, seen the comparison shots and was sold on the range and the image stabilization.

I'm forever swopping lenses over so this lens would probably stay on 90% of the time.

I need it for event photography so a tripod isnt really practical.

neos · 04-01-2006, 21:26

I have one. It's not the sharpest lens, but its advantage is its versatility. The zoom range is good, it has IS (image stabiliser) and it's compact, feels nice and focusses well.

The down-side is, as i say, not ultra sharp, f5.6 is very slow for 135mm, but the most annoying thing is that when you are fitting the petal-shaped hood (whih, by the way, is £17 extra!), it's so tight, it forces against the zoom, with a resulting 'bang' when it zooms home. Not a big deal and a bit of suitable lubricant would probably ease the problem, but that is the most annoying bit for me.

Mtx · 05-01-2006, 01:46

I have one and its my most used lens. I hate lugging my tripod around so the IS is a godsend to me. Here is some of my photos most are from the 28-135 and hendheld. i find this focal range to be a good medium for myself saving me changing lenses as often. hope you are happy with your lens if you get one

Garnock · 05-01-2006, 12:16

I bought this lens a few years ago along with the 10D.
The range is good for a walkabout lens although, for me, it wasn't wide enough on a 1.6 crop camera.
The IS facility can be usefull at times ( especially indoors if you cant use flash ).
Optically I did find it to be slightly soft but, when stopped down, very usable.
I have read some reports about lens creep but I don't find this on the model I have.

Taking IS into consideration I would descibe this lens as good value for money however.........there's always a however.........today, if I was in the market for a lens of this range at this price I would give serious consideration to the Tamron SP AF24-135MM F/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical (IF) Macro .
No IS but by all acounts a much sharper lens. ( I would choose sharpness over IS any day )
At 24mm it's wider than the Canon and if your camera is a 1.6 or 1.3 crop that could be important.
This lens also has a zoom lock so lens creep won't be an issue.
£10 cheaper at Warehouse Express.

Worth considering.

Cameron

SammyC · 05-01-2006, 13:07

But the Canon is USM (proper USM) which should be noted too.

Do Tamron have an equivalent?

Mtx · 05-01-2006, 14:14

i just use the kit lens for wider at the moment

Garnock · 05-01-2006, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammyC

But the Canon is USM (proper USM) which should be noted too.

Do Tamron have an equivalent?

Sammy,
No USM but it does have internal focusing IF.
Probably not as quiet as USM but it's the final image that counts.
What I mean is USM and IS are great but if the final image is better with the Tamron then I'll take the Tamron.

Cameron

SammyC · 05-01-2006, 14:38

That's very true Cameron!

03-01-2006, 01:35	#1 (permalink)
Warspite Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newcastle Sunderland Middlesbrough (UK) Posts: 1,736	The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Basically does anyone have one, if so what are your opinions - is it worth the £300+, do you like it, is it heavy or light, big or small, etc. Thinking of possibly getting one but in one of those do I hold off and get something else or do I just bite the bullet and get it over with kind of moods. I realize there are sites that have reviews but, I would really appreciate opinions of people in here if possible Thanks

04-01-2006, 21:26	#3 (permalink)
neos Quite Chatty Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Forres Posts: 86	I have one. It's not the sharpest lens, but its advantage is its versatility. The zoom range is good, it has IS (image stabiliser) and it's compact, feels nice and focusses well. The down-side is, as i say, not ultra sharp, f5.6 is very slow for 135mm, but the most annoying thing is that when you are fitting the petal-shaped hood (whih, by the way, is £17 extra!), it's so tight, it forces against the zoom, with a resulting 'bang' when it zooms home. Not a big deal and a bit of suitable lubricant would probably ease the problem, but that is the most annoying bit for me. __________________ Please don't open this door, you'll let the dark out!

05-01-2006, 12:16	#5 (permalink)
Garnock Getting Comfy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 242	I bought this lens a few years ago along with the 10D. The range is good for a walkabout lens although, for me, it wasn't wide enough on a 1.6 crop camera. The IS facility can be usefull at times ( especially indoors if you cant use flash ). Optically I did find it to be slightly soft but, when stopped down, very usable. I have read some reports about lens creep but I don't find this on the model I have. Taking IS into consideration I would descibe this lens as good value for money however.........there's always a however.........today, if I was in the market for a lens of this range at this price I would give serious consideration to the Tamron SP AF24-135MM F/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical (IF) Macro . No IS but by all acounts a much sharper lens. ( I would choose sharpness over IS any day ) At 24mm it's wider than the Canon and if your camera is a 1.6 or 1.3 crop that could be important. This lens also has a zoom lock so lens creep won't be an issue. £10 cheaper at Warehouse Express. Worth considering. Cameron __________________ Cameron "We have fossils......we win." 2 cameras \| some glass \| legs & eyes

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03-01-2006, 10:06	#2 (permalink)
Bachs Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Montrose NE Scotland Posts: 919	I'm definitely getting one in March. My Mrs carefully controls the purse strings. I've read the reviews, seen the comparison shots and was sold on the range and the image stabilization. I'm forever swopping lenses over so this lens would probably stay on 90% of the time. I need it for event photography so a tripod isnt really practical.

05-01-2006, 01:46	#4 (permalink)
Mtx New here Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 10	I have one and its my most used lens. I hate lugging my tripod around so the IS is a godsend to me. Here is some of my photos most are from the 28-135 and hendheld. i find this focal range to be a good medium for myself saving me changing lenses as often. hope you are happy with your lens if you get one

05-01-2006, 13:07	#6 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	But the Canon is USM (proper USM) which should be noted too. Do Tamron have an equivalent?

05-01-2006, 14:14	#7 (permalink)
Mtx New here Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 10	i just use the kit lens for wider at the moment

05-01-2006, 14:38	#9 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	That's very true Cameron!