Sharp

None

Purchased this lens with a Canon 10D camera and was surprised at the results. very sharp and focus was fast. Would recomend this lens to others.

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200, Canon 28mm 2.8, Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 100mm 2.0, Quantaray 70-300mm 4-5.6,Sigma 170-500mm 5-6.3 and Canon 70-200mm 4.0L

Great glass; not an L or Carl Zeiss T*, so don't expect miracles! Image Stabilizer. At 50mm length and f/8, little difference (except for the very vey very discerning viewer at prints larger than 8x10) with 50mm f/1.4 prime at f/8, at least with my lens. Full-time manual focus override in Auto focus mode. Macro lens. USM - very very fast auto focus except in very low light.

Image Stabilizer drains battery faster. Recommend to turn off if you can steady it propertly (and must turn off when on tripod). Heavy compared to majority of zooms. Expensive, but will pay for itself when hiking/travelling; offset by drastically reduced number of blury shots. Not as well-sealed as other "L" lenses. Be clean!

I have read a good number of reviews about this lens that I felt compelled to write one to help straighten some points of disagreements among many reviews. First: zoom creep; either these people like to shoot while riding a no-suspension Ford T on a pot-hole ridden NYC street or they have extremely abused their equipment. I have *never* had this problem with this lens. 2) Sharpness not like "L" lens; err...I didn't see an L in the designation, so this is NOT an L lens, so the comparison complaint is just rant; the quality is just about an L lens, but it doesn't have it because it ISN'T an L lens. 3) Distortion at 28mm and pinch at 135mm; this is a zoom lens, so there will be some pinch when image scrutinized under a loupe, and distortion at 28mm is to be expected, since this is not a prime...repeat, this is not a prime. 4) Softness; just what kind of UV filter (if any) do you have on this lens?? I have protected my investment with a (not cheap) B+W UV filter, and the images are very sharp: at about the range of an f/8 aperture this lens holds to with the 50mm f/1.4 lens at the same length, with sharpness being just slightly better with the prime if you enlarge beyond 11x14...again, this is a zoom lens, and for this lens to perform so pretty pretty pretty close to the 50mm f/1.4, I'd say it's the best zoom lens in Canon's world of wide-moderate telephoto range lenses. The IS is not a 2-3 f-stops upgrade itself, it simply translates into that, due to offsetting of camera shake, which is absolutely great; it takes a bit of getting used to. It is great at longer range, and it's definitively great for low-light photography, but shooting a nice, unshaken shot at 28mm f/3.5 at a speed of 1/15 does not mean that you get the same information as you would with a (theoretically) 28mm f/1.4 prime at a speed of 1/60. This only applies if you only care about the object in focus and not the depth-of-field. If you need an aperture wider than f/3.5 at 28mm, f/4.5 at 50mm or f/5.6 at 135mm, this is not the lens for you: get primes. That out of the way, the compromises are heavily weighted towards the pros and the cons are simply there because the design is obviously to bring professional optics and features to the nonprofessional. Professionals know better than to expect miracles from zooms (which is why you will see a zoom on a Hasselblad probably once or twice in your lifetime). If you're not an overly-anal Berlin-wall-size-print-minded professional or need only one lens for travel or simply want to reward yourself with extremely good nonstaged shots (even lots of staged ones), this lens will not disappoint you. Respect your investment and fix a B+W UV filter on this lens, get a slim B+W circular polarizer, and this lens will give you great shots; slides will be so sharp you'll think you're on your way to becoming a pro.

Customer Service

Never had to call them.

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 17-35mm f/3.5 Tamron 70-300mm macro. Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 Canon 50mm f/1.4 Planar Carl Zeiss 80mm T*

* IS * Very good overall performance and sharpness (A3+ quality prints are no problem)

* Could be more sturdy and dust resistant * Zooming could be less loose * Could better handle very low temperatues

Although I've some other lenses, this one sits on our EOS 50e most of the time. It's versality, good sharpness, apropriate weight make it our primary lens. Together with my wife, we made thousands of shots all around the world with that thing. As we travel alot, and most often visit places where the only way to get is on your own feet it's essential to us, not to carry too much stuff. Even if this lens seems to be rather delicate it survived all the harsh contitions it was put in (I was shooting on desert, in a cave, when there was wet snow falling and even standing in the sea). The only problem is with using this lens in freezing conditions. Once we tried the lens at -17C (+2F) and AF started to choke, shorly after that also MF became hard to use -- focusing ring were rotating, but lens didn't focus -- that's because of lens construction allowing for FTM -- focusing ring is not hardfixed to focusing mechanism. Other problem is that this lens can change focal lenght by itself when directed downwards or upwards (zoomig is too loose) Optical quality is really good, we've been making A3+ prints for exhibition and sharpness was as it should have been. Contrast is good, flare control is OK as well (It's ways better than on for example Sigma 28-80 f.2.8 EX). Little anoying is barrel distortion on one the wide end. But there is one thing which make this lens stand over all the other all-around zooms -- it's IS. I can shoot free-hand on ISO 50 Velvia all the day, even if wether is bad. The only other way to acheive that is to have f/2.8 or faster lens, but then there is no single lens that range at f/2.8 (And if there was, it'd probably weight over 1kg). IS allows for 2-3 full steps longer exposition freehand (1/30 at 130mm and 1/8 at 30mm is no problem, 1/20 at 130mm and 1/6 at 30mm is also easy with some care). It also allows to use someone shoulder as a monopod, giving sharp pictures at 130mm and 1/4s. It also helps with light tripod (You'd appreciate light tripod when carrying all your stuff on your back for 2 weeks) in windy conditions. I can recommend this lens to everybody needeing an all-around lens, especially for travell photographying. Its really good stuff for it's price.

Customer Service

Official Canon service is not too impressive in our country -- they have some problems with properly diagnosing prpblems.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 50 f/1.4 Sigma 15-30 EX Canon EF 75-300

- Image Stabiliser!! (helps up to 2 stops easily) - USM (Fast and smooth quiet focusing) - Image quality

- Built quality (A bit loose, lens creep is bad when shaken downwards. but certainly doesn't affect photos or the experience in normal use.) - Not cheap as i would like. (I'm not rich!)

Being my first lens for my EOS-10D, it really satisfies what I require as a lens. The IS feature is something you cannot do without at the tele end once you've used it. It really helps me take sharp photos at shutter speeds up to 2 stops less than what would have been possible without. I bought it 1 month old second hand in perfect new in-box conditionw with EW-78BII lens hood and UV filter. The F3.5 at wide angle is feasible for most purposes and 10D focuses surprisingly well even at light levels I though it would not be possible. I just sometimes wish that it stayed at F3.5 even to the tele end. =) Lens is sharp, fast, quiet, covers most useful (for me at lease) focal lengths from 44.8 to 216mm FOV. I guess the best thing about this lens is the IS feature and I would not want to part with it. That's why i chose this over the highly rated Tamron 28-135 SP lens. Don't think twice about this lens if it's in your priceline and focal lengths. No wonder this lens gets such a high average rating even with so many users!

Customer Service

I hope it's never needed.. =)

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan7e Canon 20-200 F2.8 IS L (The Best!) Canon 50mm F1.8 (Very nice!) Canon 28-90 F4-5.6 (ElCheapo)

Reasonable cost, light weight, focuses fast, good range, image stabilization.

Not good in low light. Not the sharpest lens, especially below f/8. Plastic feel.

I bought this lens as a "starter" for my EOS 10D. Since then I have tried primes and L zooms, but this one keeps ending up on my camera most of the time because it's lightweight, covers a useful range, and can take excellent pictures. It can be a bit soft when opened up all the way, but its limitations are quickly learned and easily avoided. I've used it from closeups to landscapes, portraits to sports, with very good to excellent results. I'd choose a more professional lens if I knew ahead of time I had to have the absolute best quality, but this is a very fun and easy lens to use, IS makes getting those longer shots almost too easy.

Similar Products Used:

70-200mm f/2.8L IS, 50mm f/1.4

Image Stabilization is awesome! Zoom range.

Rather heavy for being plastic. Plastic body. No lens shade included (worth buying one!!!!!). Zoom "creep". Not as sharp as I'd like. 72mm filters aren't cheap.

This is a very good "walk around" lens! The Image Stabilization feature is a godsend and overall this lens fits the bill for casual photos and travel work very nicely. However, it is not without fault... This is definately not an L-series quality lens! The barrel is made of plastic which gives it a somewhat "cheap" feel; the zoom tends to "creep" when held around your neck on the strap; and finally, it is NOT sharp enough to be doing high end work. If your work involves making prints larger than 8x10's to sell to clients, this is not your lens (On my 10D I can EASILY tell the difference between images shot with this lens and those shot on my L-series lenses). However, if you do not stray from everyday travel and casual hobbiest photography this is a versitile lens that you will most likely be very happy with.

Customer Service

None.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 17-35 f4L Canon 24-70 f2.8L Canon 70-200 f4L Sigma 105 f2.8 Macro

1)Sharpness. It is definitely as sharp as they say it is and adequate for most situations. I buy lenses on sharpness above all else and I am pretty happy with the results. 2)IS. Definitely a strength. It’s great! 3)Metal lens mount. YAY! Now if only the filter thread was the made of the same stuff… 4)Ring type USM. Very fast, very quiet. Then again I expect this from all canon USM lenses so it is normal now…

1)plasticy feel, although I am pretty careful with my equipment I would have liked a more substantial metal frame, however it is adequate for it’s application. If you are going to shoot wars, in Antarctica or in the Sahara Desert then I would look at L for sure. For travel and armatures it does it’s thing adequately 2)filter screw thread is plastic. I wish they made consumer lenses like they used to with metal lens threads! (Hitn Hint Canon!!!) 3)Hood not included. Frustrating effort to find the hood for a good price/at all. I would have liked it if the hood came with the lens and they charged $1000 instead of $960!

I purchased this lens after long consideration through personal recommendations and reviews online and offline. I was not very happy at all with the standard plastic mount 28-105mm USM. I had run approximately 50 rolls of film through that lens mounted to my EOS30. In buying the lens I was hoping for sharpness above all else as I found that the standard was inferior to “my old buddy” Zuiko 50mm f1.4 on my Olympus OM10. And boy it did not disappoint me! The IS feature is great and works well. I have not had IS motor related battery drainage problems as I have the BP300 battery grip and AA batteries are cheap. I have shot on a ferry, a Ferris wheel, a car, a train, cable cars you name it and all the results have been very good. The lens has been very very sharp! Surprisingly sharp actually. I blew up a slide to bigger than A3 size print and the sharpness is uniform and fine (to a certain degree) however anything outside of f8-f11 bracket may get a little soft on the edges but nothing noticeable unless you blow it up pretty big. I also don’t have any problems with weight, I like the heavy feel of the EOS30 with BP300 and it is perfectly balanced with the 28-135IS. I also don’t get lens creep but then again it’s still newish so only time will tell. I also have no problems with lens flare either as I did not use a hood for the first 20 or so rolls, but then again I am pretty careful when I frame my shots and I tend to look out for these things before I press the trigger. All in all this is a great all round lens that offers many advantages for very little disadvantages. It is a great carry round lens and I definitely think the upgrade to L series is not worth it, esp if you are only an armature. The 28-135IS does everything that a $1000 zoom lens should do. I predominantly shoot landscape so this lens is a great compliment to the set and my next lenses are definitely going to be primes as I have found everything I need in a zoom in this lens.

Customer Service

Dirtcheap are very good, delivered next day for almost 2/3 the retail price.

Similar Products Used:

Zuiko 50mm f1.4 (my old friend!) Tokina 70-210mm Canon 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 USM (plastic edition) Canon 28-70L (borrowed) Various Nikon lenses.

-Fast focus, USM-ring, i guess. -IS comes in great help, a bit noisy but no big deal and can be ignored. -Good contrast and sharp, definately sharp. I liked all my potrait shots, very impressed especially in B&W.

-Why there is no lens hoods provided together ?! Cost 60 bucks separately !! -The lens creeps when holding facing down, i hate this. -A bit heavy, probably with USM and IS.

I bought this lens after i got my EOS30, and needed a good lens, an all rounder with acceptable optics and USM. After using Tamron's 100-300 and Canon (god please forgive me) kit, my photo quality jumped many fold. Should have done my homework long time ago. Its fast, and IS works superbly, especially in low light and slow shutter it comes in great help and also when you don't have a tripod. The image is sharp and fantastic contrast. I haven't tried the L-series lens yet. And definately sharp ! The IS's gyro is indeed a bit noisy. But its no big deal, its not so noisy till the subject could hear it. Its a must have for any one who are on the move or travelers.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Tamron AF 100-300mm f5-6.3

Sharp pictures. Priced less than $500. 28-135mm is a great all around focal length.

It's not as fast/sharp as an L-series. But then, if were, it would be an L and would carry a price tag three times higher. For the price, absolutely no complaints about "weaknesses."

For the price, the 28-135 IS is the best all-around lens I've found. Canon offers no better deal, except perhaps for the 50mm f/1.8. Sure, it's not a fast f/2.8 or a $1,500 L-series lens, but if you can't afford a fast L-series zoom, then this is the only other zoom lens to consider. People often ask if the IS is worth the additional money and I say absolutely! I did a non-scientific experiment where I took pictures in lower light condition with the IS on and with it off. When on, the pictures were much sharper. If I were to take only one lens on a vacation, the 28-135 IS would be it.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

28-105 f/3.5-4.5; 75-300 IS

Not a bad all around lens for $4-500. I.S. is a nice thing to have, especially on digital cams (e.g. 10D) Light and relatively short. No shadows when using built in flash at 135mm.

So-so smoothness on the action. I.S. is a bit noisy.

Nice snapshot lens. 28-70 range exhibits slight distortion compared to 28-70 on 2.8 L lens. Light relatively smooth action.

Customer Service

No need yet

Similar Products Used:

50 1.4, 28-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 16-35 2.8, 100 2.8