Looking for input on Canon 28-135 IS lens

drdane · August 26, 2007

I'm planning to get the 40D when it comes out, and maybe with the 28-135 IS they are including in the "Kit" for an additional $200 (Instead of $409 new from B&H). Seems like too good to pass up for this low-budget operation, and I need to replace my funky 18-55 kit from my 300D Rebel before it croaks.

I have the 10-22 zoom, so my low end is covered. I'd appreciate feedback from those who have owned the 28-135 IS, as there are mixed reviews on B&H. Most complaints center around unsharp edges, dust getting inside the lens, and a wobbly front end. Others love it.

If this is the right forum to ask a lens question, I await your wisdom . . .

Thanks!
Dane

Belg · August 26, 2007

I trampled all over Cornwall and Ireland a couple years back with one. Great little lens. Took lots of nice pictures with it. Bought a fair bit of L glass, but still have it around just in case... winner for the price in my book.

drdane · August 26, 2007

Belg wrote:

I trampled all over Cornwall and Ireland a couple years back with one. Great little lens. Took lots of nice pictures with it. Bought a fair bit of L glass, but still have it around just in case... winner for the price in my book.

Thanks, Mark. Have you noticed any of the "problems" I mentioned above?

Belg · August 26, 2007

Only a case of the wobbles.... IS Gimbal? That was always my assumption. images came out fine though. disclaimer: I haven't been anywhere really dusty with it...

windoze · August 26, 2007

drdane wrote:

I'm planning to get the 40D when it comes out, and maybe with the 28-135 IS they are including in the "Kit" for an additional $200 (Instead of $409 new from B&H). Seems like too good to pass up for this low-budget operation, and I need to replace my funky 18-55 kit from my 300D Rebel before it croaks.

I have the 10-22 zoom, so my low end is covered. I'd appreciate feedback from those who have owned the 28-135 IS, as there are mixed reviews on B&H. Most complaints center around unsharp edges, dust getting inside the lens, and a wobbly front end. Others love it.

If this is the right forum to ask a lens question, I await your wisdom . . .

Thanks!
Dane

its been awhile since ive owned that lens and i still remember when Andy owned that lens years ago. It actually wasnt a bad lens as a walk around lens and ya know what for ony $200.00 its IMHO a good buy! Yes there are better lenses but for only $200.00 more - id consider it.

troy

evoryware · August 26, 2007

Most complaints center around unsharp edges, dust getting inside the lens, and a wobbly front end. Others love it.

After a year I see a couple dust specs in the lens but nothing that's showing in my pictures. Front end isn't wobbly on mine. It doesn't just fall from 28 to 135 when it's hanging on my neck. It's a nice lens. It is my default lens.

schmoo · August 27, 2007

As stated I liked this lens for the money (esp if you get it at 1/2 price as the kit), but I was blown out of the water when I replaced it with the 24-105L. Not as much reach but a completely different world.

That said I did see a lot of softness and wobblyness, but for that price you can get over it. Have fun with your new setup!

sirsloop · August 27, 2007

build is about as cheap as they would possibly make it... really loosey goosey. Its "OK"... for the money good! A 24-105 will destroy it in every category.

Ric Grupe · August 27, 2007

sirsloop wrote:

build is about as cheap as they would possibly make it... really loosey goosey. Its "OK"... for the money good! A 24-105 will destroy it in every category.

Put your money towards a good lens. You'll be glad you did in the long run. I was never satisfied with mine. I would get the 17-85 IS EFS lens if I was on a budget.

drdane · August 28, 2007

Ric Grupe wrote:

<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/15524779-Ti.gif" border="0" alt="" > Put your money towards a good lens. You'll be glad you did in the long run. I was never satisfied with mine. I would get the 17-85 IS EFS lens if I was on a budget.

Even the extra $200 is a stretch at present, but this would be a definite step up from my 4 year old, really wobbly, poor AF 18-55 Rebel kit lens. I figure I can sell it for what I paid for it when I can afford a "real" lens <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif" border="0" alt="" >.

However, I will investigate the 17-85 before I do anything rash.

Thanks to you all for your input - it has been very helpful!

Blessings<
Dane

arroyoshark · August 28, 2007

I'd take the time to read a few on-line road tests of both the 28-135mm and the 17-85mm lenses. You might find out that of the two, the 28-135mm has better resolving glass.

LiquidAir · August 28, 2007

I shot with the 28-135 for many years and it is a fine lens. When bought my 5D (before that I shot film), I upgraded to the 24-105L. The 28-135 doesn't have that crisp sweetness that the 24-105 does, but unless you are making large prints you won't notice the difference. I've been meaning to sell my 28-135 but haven't gotten around to it yet. Here's a link to a gallery with a couple full frame images from th 28-135 (one at 28, the other at 135) if you want to look at them to judge the quality for yourself:

http://gallery.liquidairphoto.com/gallery/2727216#144705474

XHawkeye · August 29, 2007

Used it all the time when on my Elan IIe but with the switch to digital it wasn't wide enough. So it's sitting on the shelf, need to sell it.

windoze · August 29, 2007

arroyoshark wrote:

I'd take the time to read a few on-line road tests of both the 28-135mm and the 17-85mm lenses. You might find out that of the two, the 28-135mm has better resolving glass.

i kinda agree here, but i think the point missed is.....
its only $200.00!
The 28-135 IS for $200.00 is a productive walk around lens! I wouldnt spend the $$ for its MSRP but for $200.00 hard to beat.....

troy

drdane · August 29, 2007

arroyoshark wrote:

I'd take the time to read a few on-line road tests of both the 28-135mm and the 17-85mm lenses. You might find out that of the two, the 28-135mm has better resolving glass.

Can you offer a link or two where I can find lens "road tests"? That would be handy to have when I'm ready to spend the big bucks.

Several 17-85 reviews on B&H mentioned lens creep, which I have zero tolerance for. I have a Vivitar Series One 28-105 F2.8 which does this - renders it unusable for tripod shots if angled up or down - but fine otherwise. Anyone wanna buy a used Minolta X-700 with this lens?

So, you live at the "end of the path" - is that actually the name of a town in NM? (fin del sendereo)

Thanks,
Dane

drdane · August 29, 2007

LiquidAir wrote:

. . . The 28-135 doesn't have that crisp sweetness that the 24-105 does, but unless you are making large prints you won't notice the difference.

I do like large prints, but for now I'll just have to rely on more sharpening:D - hell, I'm used to it!

Here's a link to a gallery with a couple full frame images from th 28-135 (one at 28, the other at 135) if you want to look at them to judge the quality for yourself:

http://gallery.liquidairphoto.com/gallery/2727216#144705474

Thank you! This was very helpful. Definite softness around the edges, more so with the 135. But that probably won't show up much when I mount it on the 40D because of the crop factor.

BTW, I've enjoyed your entries in the LPS!

Thanks,
Dane

drdane · August 29, 2007

windoze wrote:

i kinda agree here, but i think the point missed is.....
its only $200.00!
The 28-135 IS for $200.00 is a productive walk around lens! I wouldnt spend the $$ for its MSRP but for $200.00 hard to beat.....

troy

You nailed it, Troy! But the 24-105L is on my shopping list for the future.

Dane

LiquidAir · August 29, 2007

drdane wrote:

I do like large prints, but for now I'll just have to rely on more sharpening:D - hell, I'm used to it!

I am additcted to large prints. Now I just need to uprgrade my walls...

drdane wrote:

Thank you! This was very helpful. Definite softness around the edges, more so with the 135. But that probably won't show up much when I mount it on the 40D because of the crop factor.

The trade off is it will be a bit softer in the center on the 40D because the pixels are closer together. I think the 5D has the lowest pixel density of any currently shipping Canon body so, while it pays a price in the corners it makes lenses look a bit better in the center.

drdane wrote:

BTW, I've enjoyed your entries in the LPS!

Thanks! I have been really happy with my entries over the last few rounds.

drdane · August 30, 2007

The Deed is Done!
I just placed my 40D Kit order (includes the 28-135 IS) with Amazon!

($1499.99 with free shipping)

They now estimate the ship date as Aug 30.
EDIT: (8/30) Now they've changed that to Oct 1-30! :cry

Thanks to all of you for the feedback on the 28-135! I also found a site I liked with review and testing info, complete with bar charts and distortion grids: (this is the page for the 28-135) http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_28135_3556_is/index.htm

Blessings,
Dane

Ric Grupe · August 30, 2007

drdane wrote:

I just placed my 40D Kit order (includes the 28-135 IS) with Amazon! ($1499.99 with free shipping)

They now estimate the ship date as Aug 30.

Thanks to all of you for the feedback on the 28-135! I also found a site I liked with review and testing info, complete with bar charts and distortion grids: (this is the page for the 28-135) http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_28135_3556_is/index.htm

Blessings,
Dane

have fun!

Now that I think back...the 28-135 that I had was mated to a 10D...maybe the problem was not the lens? Of course, I was new to the whole digital thing back then...so who knows!

schmoo · August 30, 2007

Congrats on the purchase, Dane! Look forward to seeing your shots and hearing more about the 40D.

drdane · August 30, 2007

schmooo wrote:

Congrats on the purchase, Dane! Look forward to seeing your shots and hearing more about the 40D.

I will be glad to share my experience on the Camera Forum when I've had a chance to see what it can (or can't) do.

I made a late edit to my last post regarding expected delivery date:
EDIT: (8/30) Now they've changed that to Oct 1-30! :cry
So it may be a while . . . but I will let you know.

Thanks again, all!
Dane

Looking for input on Canon 28-135 IS lens

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