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Sigma 28-135mm f/3.8-5.6 DL Aspherical IF Macro 35mm Zoom

4.04/5 (48 Reviews)

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Product Description

Incorporating aspherical optics, plus a floating inner focusing system, this lens minimizes spherical aberration and stigmatism. This lens can focus from infinity to 19.7 inches at all of the focal lengths without close-up accessory, and as close as 9.4 inches (1:2 reproduction ratio) at the 135mm zoom position.


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Reviews 1 - 5 (48 Reviews Total) | Next 15

User Reviews

Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:4
Submitted by PTJohn a Expert

Date Reviewed: August 31, 2004

Strengths:    Cost and versatility

Weaknesses:    Lens flare when using digital body

Bottom Line:   
I recently switched from Minolta to Canon and then from film to digital. This lens worked well enough on my EOS 1N film camera, delivering acceptable results. As has been previously noted, it is a bit soft at times and with light fall-off and distortion at the extremes. The easy fix? Don't shoot at the extremes :) With a lens in this price range, don't expect perfection and learn to live with the short-falls.

That being said, this lens has proven to be less than adequate on my 10D. The flare is almost uncontrollable, causing me to leave it in my bag most of the time.

I am a Sigma fan but in this case, I am trading it in on a Canon 28-135mm IS. I like this focal length as my carry lens and I need something with higher quality.

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Duration Product Used:   6-10 years

Price Paid:    $100.00

Purchased At:   eBay

Similar Products Used:   None

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by maroodzaidi a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004

Strengths:    compact size.
Macro and
Good Zoom Range.

Weaknesses:    Slow focusing
cannot focus in dark (compare to Canon EF, I have)

Bottom Line:   
I have purchased this first Sigma lens in my life. I was a little worried about the quality of the lens first. but when I shoot the Images, the quality is much better than I thought. Surely no comparison with Canon L Series, but the image sharpness and colour balance is very good.

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $120.00

Purchased At:   Photo Express LHR

Similar Products Used:   Canon 28-135 IS USM
Canon 28-105 USM

Type of photography:   People

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Kefestvog a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: October 15, 2003

Strengths:    Nice zoom range. Good Color.

Weaknesses:    Distortion at either end of the zoom.

Bottom Line:   
I'm always happy with the results of this lens. Those who complain about the build quality are comparing it to lens costing 100's of dollars more. For the price it's plenty strong. I had no problems with the lens and it was the only one I took with me for the year I was in Kuwait and Iraq. I never had any mechanical problems and this was when it was exposed to sand and dust everyday. It's a very versitile zoom range. I took pictures of everything over there and rarely did I wish that I had brought other lenses. The main problem I had was in shooting some of the palaces in Iraq. There is noticable dostortion at either end of the zoom. Still that can be somewhat corrected on the computer. Other than that the pictures are snappy and great. If you need a light system- this lens and an slr do the trick. This lens is the reason I looked at other Sigma products.

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $150.00

Purchased At:   smilephotovideo.com

Similar Products Used:   Tamron 28-200mm zoom, Tamron 28-80mm zoom

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:2
Value Rating:2
Submitted by Del a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003

Strengths:    Good for general purpose lens.

Weaknesses:    Will not take any abuse.

Bottom Line:   
After reading the reviews posted here I bought the lens and used it on a Canon D60. It worked fine and was good for a general purpose lens. However, it and my D60 fell 2'2" from my desk to the carpeted floor and the lens broke. Actually the lens became dislocated at the zoom junction. The seperation was wide on one side and no seperation on the other side. The zoom or focus would no longer work. It was jammed tight. I did have insurance on it and was able to purchase another lens.

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Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Similar Products Used:   Sigma 70-200 f2.8
Sigma 300 f4
Canon 28-105 f3.5-4.5
Canon 75-300 f4-5.6 III
Canon 28-70 f3.5-4.5

Type of photography:   Fine Art

Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:4
Submitted by wau a Professional from Manitoba, Canada

Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003

Strengths:    - versatile zoom range
- macro is handy (at 135 only)
- IF
- handy lens hood
- performance can be good stopped down
- a good general photography zoom lens

Weaknesses:    - soft wide-open, in the corners, and at 135
- distortion at both ends
- light fall-off in corners wide-open
- some flare
- not the greatest bokeh
- build quality (lots of plastic, significant zoom creep, and has started making "stretched metal spring" noises when zooming)
- heavy, slow AF

Bottom Line:   
A capable consumer grade lens with versatile zoom range. There is distortion at either end, it's soft in the corners and at the long end, and there's light fall-off in the corners wide-open. But the glass produces nice pictures when stopped down, and if you're into people pictures, the softness and distortion may not be an issue. Build quality is a little weak, but it's seen a lot of use and considering its low price, it's been an overall good value.

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Duration Product Used:   6-10 years

Price Paid:    $240.00

Purchased At:   adorama

Similar Products Used:   Pentax 28-80 3.5-4.7, Pentax 28-70 2.8

Type of photography:   People


Reviews 1 - 5 (48 Reviews Total) | Next 15

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