auldmart

I am thinking of purchasing a Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS as a 'walkabout' lens for my 5D MkII ie. taking candid shots when on holiday, family photos etc. Can anybody comment on the quality of this lens and if it's good value. It's so much cheaper than the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS it seems like a real bargain but I wouldn't want to compromise too much on image quality.

bhowdy Loc: Maryville, Tennessee

It's a nice lens for the money. It does ha e a cheap feel when compared to the 24-105, but a good value for the money

See this review
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/28-135mm.htm

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I have the 28-135 and would never be without it, I have to say that it does not have a cheap feel as compared to other lenses, it may not feel as crisp and solid but NOT cheap

colo43 Loc: Eastern Plains of Colorado

i was not impressed with it and gave it to my son.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Love mine

hj Loc: Florida

I also have the Canon 28-135mm lens and agree it is a solid lens. Not sure how anyone could label it with a "cheap feel". Of course it's not an L lens which costs way, way more.

jbslord Loc: Coventry UK

I wonder if the 'cheap feel' is more to do with the weight than anyting else

Barb Loc: ALASKA

I love the Canon 28-135!! Would never be with out it .. it is on my camera all the time (except when I am shooting things that require a special lens!) Go for it .. you won't be sad! :)

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

I just "traded" my 28-135 yesterday (had it for at least 5 years) but now that I have the 24-105, I had not been using it. I did love that lens, but I needed a faster lens for weddings and portraiture, so I bought a used 85 1.8 Canon.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Hey there. I had one on my 40d for years and it worked and held up just fine. You say you are going to use it as a walk around lens and I don't think you would be disappointed. I did sell mine and got the 24-105 L lens and really haven't had the time to compare my new pictures. If you don't have the money, go for the 28-135. Cheers.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

love mine

auldmart

Thanks everybody for all your responses. It looks like it will do the job as a good walkabout lens and if it's not - then I can always sell it and buy the 24-105. Cheers.

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

I have the Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS lens. Best lens purchase I ever made. I was looking to buy a much more expensive lens when I ran across this lens in B&H Photos used department; however, instead of showing a condition rating. . .it had a hyper-link stating "email for condition". This is the secret. When it says "email for condition" you get an almost instant email telling you this is a factory reconditioned lens, which according to the fine folks at B&H, these are generally brand new "open box" lens that are sent to Canon to be checked out and then sold at a great discount. A new lens for a big reduction in the price, because maybe it was a sample or on display.

I just checked, and B&H has one for $289.98, with free shipping. Here is a link to this lens with B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/740777-REF/Canon_2562A007BA_EF_28_135mm_f_3_5_5_6_IS.html

This lens has a close focus distance of .5m/1.6 ft, which is the same as the much more costly Canon 100mm macro lens. I elected to buy this lens, thinking that I really couldn't lose. . .as I could always give it to someone, and go ahead and buy the much more costly L lens covering the same basic focal range; however, without the plum handy close focus distance.

I love this lens, and would not sell it nor trade it away for anything. It does a great job with my 5D Mark II, and that's a fact; however, to be honest I have never used it for shooting people as I have dedicated primes for this purpose. Based upon the results that I have obtained from this lens, I can see no reason that this lens wouldn't take wonderful people shots. I just happen to be "married" to my Canon 135mm f/2.8 soft focus lens, which I have had and used for years, etc.