IS is great it really works. I have handheld at 1/30 @ 135mm with sharp results.

none

Overall great lens. I recommend this lens to anyone who doesn't like to use a tripod.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Canon 55-200mm

focal length good for most situations
IS is the real deal (leave the tripod at home)
solid, but not too heavy
handy macro feature

None

The image quality is exceptional for the price. This is the ideal travel lens (IS saves the weight of a tripod, most used focal lengths are covered, and the macro feture allows you to get in close). This is the lens I use for 90% of my photography needs. Combined with one of the Eye control bodies (I use the Elan 7e) and you have a complete system.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200mm LD IF Supra. Sigma 70-200mm 2.8

* Versatile focal length range * Image stabilization. Great first lens. It will satisfy all “snapshots” and many well-composed shots in nominal focal lengths. Can be used hand-held at 1/10 sec in wide angle and 1/30 at 135mm. I almost never use this with a tripod excepting special conditions. This lens and the EOS-3 sold me on the new Canon system. I’m selling my FD’s.

* Small aperture (f/5.6). * Variable length barrel seems flimsy and zoom can shift when pointed down. * Barrel distortion below 50 mm. Prove this to yourself - using an extension tube view a spreadsheet on your computer at various focal lengths. Serious distortion occurs below 40-50 mm, though on nature shots one may not notice. Be careful of horizons at less than 50 mm. The lack of wide aperture is not correctable by IS in two areas: a) Slow shutter speed with moving subjects; b) really soft focus background * Cannot use teleconverters directly.

When I am not doing portraits or bird photography, the 28-135 stays on the camera. Sharpness is generally good at center, fair to the edge at 135mm@ f/5.6. Center is very good at f/8. Be sure to allow the gyros time to attain speed (~1 sec) before pressing the shutter completely. IS is not mandatory on a lens < 200mm if you are not too lazy to use a tripod. If you spend enough on a good tripod, you won’t leave it at home! However, this lens costs less than a really good tripod/head.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

FD 28-85 f/4, FD 80-200 f/4L, EF 70-200 f/4L USM, EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Excellent optics. Contrast OK. AF is FAST. IS is great for low light situations. Manual overide while in AF is great.

None.

A great lens that meets all of my requirements. I have not had any problems with my new one. It is extremely fast, focusing where I point it.

Customer Service

IS crapped out while still under warranty. While IS was in use, if I changed the position of the lens, the image in viewfinder would shake and make a vibrating noise. Took it back to the dealer who swapped it out for a new one and sent old one to Canon. Nice touch. Good dealer

Similar Products Used:

Have used Canon since '86 (EOS650 & 28-105). Prior to that, Pentax K1000 (still have it)

Image Stabilization
Broad Zoom Range from wide angle to short telephoto
Extremely quiet operation
Super fast autofocus
Full time manual focus even when autofocus is turned on
Moderate macro capabilities
Balances well on heavier cameras

Variable aperature 3.5 - 5.6
Needs dual mode image stabilization
Could use sealing against weather
Depth of field scale would be nice

Great lens. Very sharp photos. Would recommend to everyone. No color cast on slides noticed. Constant large aperature would be nice but not a must when shooting people.

Customer Service

Great

Similar Products Used:

none

zoomrange covers all that I need
IS works great throughout the range

heavy barrel distortion under 50mm.
build quality, pointed downwards frontpart slides, feels wobbly at 135mm.
sealings are bad, inside of the lens is already full of dust(I'm not harsh on my lenses)

this lens is great for general use but I can't take people that say it compares to an L series lens serious. though it is still a good lens for the prise

Customer Service

haven't tried them yet

Similar Products Used:

17-35L
50 1.8
70-200L

IS, Great Zoom range, Pretty good build quality

Extended Zoom, hood cast shadows on D30

Superb Zoom range, with a solid feel. I would compare the build quality with that of the 17-35 any day. It would not take much to call this a "L" lens. The IS feature is great particularly at the 135 end. I have shot this on a EOS 1V HS and the D30. The only problem is with the D30 when you use the built in flash you will get shadows on some of your pictures from the hood if used. Thats it. Not bad. Not as sharp as the 28-70 (no surprise) but the extra range makes it tough not to consider this lens as you main lens. No question in my mind that this is the definative travel lens. I bought and sold a 17-35 which is supposedly the lens for use on a D30. But I found that this got the job done better for what I use it for. I have owned many lenses and I would have to call this the "BEST BUY" in the market. At $400 with the hood you get a great range, excellent build quality, and "IS". What is not to like?

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Name it. 28-70, 17-35. Nikon Canon Tokina Sigma Tamron I have tried them all

Great focal range, great quality, IS

variable aperature,Zoom creep

I would agree that it can compare to the 17-35L. I can say that because the 17-35 is a poor excuse for a "L" lens. This lens is a great buy and the best travel lens I have ever used. The 28-70L is sharper but the extra range and lower weight make this a better all around choice

Customer Service

No used

Similar Products Used:

28-70L,17-35L,70-200L Nikon 17-35AFS

Image Stabilization
Build Quality
Sharpness
Zoom range

Heavy

I bought this lens and the Canon Elan 7 as my first SLR rig. I am completely happy with this combination and have produced some really nice pictures for a beginner.

I would recommend this lens to any and all beginners (and others as well) because it is so versitile. The zoom range is great for people shots and the IS lets you work with slower shutter speeds which the allows you to work without a flash more often. Heck, this lens can even do some light duty macro work.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon 50mm f1.8

*Good range (28-135mm)
*IS
*IS (I must repeat)
*I/R
*FT-M
*Aspherical
*USM
*72mm

*A little too heavy

This is a great all around lens. IS is a ++ that you can handheld for 1-2 stops down; however, it never can replace a tripod. I remember shooting from a bus on the way to Ha-Long Bay on a bumpy road, IS never let me down. After 6 months of use w/ a Rebel G then later upgraded to an Elan 7E, results are sharp and color clarity, I think Aspherical has something to do w/ it. I/R focus is hassleless when using Polarizer. And I like the FT-M which allows you to work w/ AF & MF w/o switching to MF. After all, this is an ONE LENS FITS ALL. Unless Canon comes out w/ a 28-200mm IS USM; otherwise, 5 stars...

Customer Service

None.

Similar Products Used:

*28-80