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Bouce
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- Review count2
- Helpfulness votes54
- First reviewJanuary 27, 2008
- Last reviewJuly 1, 2008
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- Average rating4.5
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Bouce's Reviews
Canon EF 28–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens: Capture brilliant wide-angle shots and beautiful close-ups even in low light with this high-performance standard zoom lens. Image stabilizer technology reduces vibrations that cause motion blur, providing clearly focused images at all settings.
Customer Rating
4
Good everyday lens for the money
on July 1, 2008
Posted by: Bouce
from Reading, PA
I purchased this lens as a package with a 40D, so it was about $200 less than if purchased seperate.
For tact sharp landscapes, or to benefit the most from prints larger than 11x17, you will find a much sharper alternative in the same range with the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS zoom, but at $1000.
For everyday walkaround stuff, and if you only had one lens to carry, this lens will serve you well. The only reason why I raise this issue is because the medium grade quality of this lens, if placed on a decent SLR, such as the 40D or a 1Ds, will limit the quality and size of the images you can print before losing sharpness.
Another factor to consider is the DOF, with only a 6 blade aperature, background blur, which make portraits pop, will be of average quality.
Thirdly, in regards to dim light, at that goes for any slow lens that is F3.5 or higher, expect to crank up the ISO in order to get decent exposure. This lens is not a night-owl. Even an F2.8 lens will keep you within ISO800, where this lens will require ISO1000 or more for flashless usage, and things get grainy.
Image stabilization is good, especially if on a heavy camera with tired hands. It won't completely kill the blur like using a monopod instead, but it's enough to save the shot otherwise.
For tact sharp landscapes, or to benefit the most from prints larger than 11x17, you will find a much sharper alternative in the same range with the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS zoom, but at $1000.
For everyday walkaround stuff, and if you only had one lens to carry, this lens will serve you well. The only reason why I raise this issue is because the medium grade quality of this lens, if placed on a decent SLR, such as the 40D or a 1Ds, will limit the quality and size of the images you can print before losing sharpness.
Another factor to consider is the DOF, with only a 6 blade aperature, background blur, which make portraits pop, will be of average quality.
Thirdly, in regards to dim light, at that goes for any slow lens that is F3.5 or higher, expect to crank up the ISO in order to get decent exposure. This lens is not a night-owl. Even an F2.8 lens will keep you within ISO800, where this lens will require ISO1000 or more for flashless usage, and things get grainy.
Image stabilization is good, especially if on a heavy camera with tired hands. It won't completely kill the blur like using a monopod instead, but it's enough to save the shot otherwise.
So, figure out your expectations for this lens and decide. Despite it's short comings for pro use, I still use the lens for everyday stuff. If I come upon a something special and worthy of setup and nit pic (something I wish to sell as a large print), I'll use a sharper prime.
If you don't have or wish to spend $1000 for an L glass alternative, then this lens will still get the shot.
What's great about it: Image Stabilization, and very light, good walk-around lens
What's not so great: Not sharp enough for landscape, pro use
I would recommend this to a friend!
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3of 4voted this as helpful.
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens: This Canon macro lens enables life-size magnification of small subjects. The included macroflash makes it easy to take close-ups even in dim lighting, while the inner focusing and ring USM offer sharp images with negligible blur.
Customer Rating
5
L glass quality in a standard wrapper
on January 27, 2008
Posted by: Bouce
from Reading, PA
Although I have an EF 28-135mm IS USM for general usage lens, and a good quality 50mm 1.2 for portrait work. I needed a prime lens with some range, but with good DOF (depth of field) only found on short portrait lens'.
The build of the lens case is standard quality, but with a metal bayonette that locks tight, similiar to higher priced L class lens. It's a solid and heavy piece of glass and it's quality is right up there with the L glass. I have a 135mm prime 2 L, a $1300 lens, but too long for a 1.6 crop factor camera as with my 40D. I was relieved to find the image quality of 100mm macro to be on par.
If shooting on a Rebel or EOS 10-40D, having a battery grip will benefit as it's a forward heavy lens.
The design is a few years old, and thus lacks IS (image stabilization), so a tripod, monopod will be required in dim lit churches with no-flash policies.
Autofocus is slow when going from macro to distant, and considering the range, that's to be expected. However, once your close to the focal distance, AF is quick. In some cases you'll have to coax AF to work by manually focusing. A large, wide rubber bezzle makes manual focusing a breeze.
In many cases I switched to full manual anyway, finding it a joy to use.
With F2.8, and it's just enough to get a flashless, dim lit shot with very useable 800 ISO (on tripod/monopod) at 1/100 sec shutter. On and EOS 40d, 1.6 crop factor, the range requires about twenty feet to get a full torso portrait shot, perfect for standing back and not getting in the way of a ceremony, but getting beautiful background seperation.
IS would be a welcomed featured on the next generation lens. But that's not a deal killer.
The build of the lens case is standard quality, but with a metal bayonette that locks tight, similiar to higher priced L class lens. It's a solid and heavy piece of glass and it's quality is right up there with the L glass. I have a 135mm prime 2 L, a $1300 lens, but too long for a 1.6 crop factor camera as with my 40D. I was relieved to find the image quality of 100mm macro to be on par.
If shooting on a Rebel or EOS 10-40D, having a battery grip will benefit as it's a forward heavy lens.
The design is a few years old, and thus lacks IS (image stabilization), so a tripod, monopod will be required in dim lit churches with no-flash policies.
Autofocus is slow when going from macro to distant, and considering the range, that's to be expected. However, once your close to the focal distance, AF is quick. In some cases you'll have to coax AF to work by manually focusing. A large, wide rubber bezzle makes manual focusing a breeze.
In many cases I switched to full manual anyway, finding it a joy to use.
With F2.8, and it's just enough to get a flashless, dim lit shot with very useable 800 ISO (on tripod/monopod) at 1/100 sec shutter. On and EOS 40d, 1.6 crop factor, the range requires about twenty feet to get a full torso portrait shot, perfect for standing back and not getting in the way of a ceremony, but getting beautiful background seperation.
IS would be a welcomed featured on the next generation lens. But that's not a deal killer.
Being a macro, and having high level DOF, I can't wait for my next product shoot in the studio.
This lens will live on my camera until I need more range or a wide shot from the 28-135. The images simply pop, and I'd rather move back a little if need be to get that.
What's great about it: Tack sharp images across entire range, doubles as portrait lens
What's not so great: Slow AF/hunting in certain cases; takes some practice to use it properly
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+51points
51of 51voted this as helpful.
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