Turned in 28-135IS for repair

[Longwatcher]

Well I turned in my Canon 28-135 IS for repair today :(

However, because I would not have it for at least 3 weeks I decided I really needed to pickup a cheap back up lens


[Please note stupid grin on face]

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Yes I got the 28-70/2.8L as a 'back-up' lens to my 28-135IS :)

Bad Mr. Plastic letting me buy another lens.

Good thing I am single ;-)

[Longwatcher]

Almost forgot,
I was really good....
I touched the 70-200/2.8, had it on my camera to try out and managed to walk out the store without it.

It was close though, but it wasn't the IS version (as I found out when I looked for the IS switch) so managed to restrain myself. They did not have the IS version in stock ;-)

[defordphoto]

Did the IS die on the 28-135?

The 70-200/2.8L IS is my next lens. It'll be awhile yet, but someday she will be mine. Yes, someday she will be mine...

[Longwatcher]

No the focus was going. Although I didn't really trust the IS either as it did not seem to always engage, but when ever I paid attention the IS worked.

The real problem was the focus was going out around the edges. It showed a definate in focus and out of focus area, so I am guessing (and this is only a semi-informed guess) that one of the concave elements is out of alignment. If I remember my optical physics classes from 20 years ago, if it were the convex elements I should have a ring of focus. With concave it would tend to go on the outside first. On the other hand I might have it backwards.

In any case my best guess is at least one of the elements is out of alignment.

Although I have the 28-70/2.8 now, at this time I would still prefer traveling with the 28-135IS on the camera I take on board. The extra on the long end comes in handy.

I keep thinking Canon would make a killing on a 28-135/2.8 L IS. It could be a bit more expensive then the 70-200IS and I would still probably buy it.

BTW: only $53,600 and a 1200mm left to go.

[msvirick]

I am surprised that this lens failed. It seem to be the run of the mill flagship lens from Canon. I better save my packing box, though my lens seem to work well now, your experience is valid

[RedShoesGirl]

longwatcher wrote:
Well I turned in my Canon 28-135 IS for repair today :(

However, because I would not have it for at least 3 weeks I decided I really needed to pickup a cheap back up lens


[Please note stupid grin on face]

.
.
.
.
.
.
Yes I got the 28-70/2.8L as a 'back-up' lens to my 28-135IS :)

Bad Mr. Plastic letting me buy another lens.

Good thing I am single ;-)

Why did you buy a back-up lens that much of the same focal length as the other lens. I know you wanted a back-up, but I think I would have bought something totally different to fill in a focal-length gap perhaps.

RSG who wants the Sigma 15-35 a LOT! And the Sigma 180 macro or the 105 macro.

My Mr. Plastic has taken a unauthorized leave of absence since he just about maxed out. Darn. :)

RSG

[Longwatcher]

I currently have a 16-35L, 28-135IS (in for repair), 75-300IS, 100-400L IS, 50/1.4, 1.4x and 2x extenders. Thus I can go from 16 to 1120mm equivilant (although 800mm is really the useable max)

So with out my 28-135 I would be missing 35 to 75mm (except at 50).

The 28-70/2.8L fills the gap nicely. Plus it has 2.8 aperture. faster autofocus, better glass, metal versus plastic and is in short a better quality lens (especially right now ;-)

I should also point out that I am somewhat harsh on my equipment, but if I plan on doing this professionally full time, I need equipment that can stand up to me. I don't deliberately bang it around, but I don't treat it gently either. The camera and lenses are tools to be used to get the best pictures possible and I treat them as such.

I keep them out of the salt water, but I will stand in the ocean to get the shot.

I keep the hand grip on, but I walk over rock outcroppings.

When I take the lenses off I put all the caps back on, but I switch lenses as needed (mainly because I can't afford multiple 1Ds - heck I can't afford one of them yet*).

A bright sunny day is great for pictures, but the lenses get pretty warm (make that hot) after awhile, which I suspect is the biggest reason for the lens going out.

So the fact one of the medium quality lenses went after a year of being my primary lens, doesn't surprise me too much. So far to date, I have not dropped the camera or the lens, but I am waiting for it, which is why I got insurance to cover it as professional equipment.

Anyway that is why I got the 28-70L and why I would not worry too much about other 28-135 lenses having problems too much (unless you use it alot). I have probably taken around 8,000 images (out of around 15,000 between D60 and 10D) so far with that lens since I got it and it is the one that goes on the plane with me when I travel.

Just my opinion and experience

[Trivia: Given a choice between multiple 10D each with a different lens and a 1Ds, I would go for the 1Ds]