Did I do the right thing??

[kkennedy]

I just got the new Digital Rebel for Christmas. It's my first SLR. A week later, I bought a Quantaray 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 (I think) from my local Wolf camera. After reading some literature on the subject (books, magazines, and web), I decided to take the Quantaray back and hold out for a better quality lens.

I just ordered my new "Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM" lens from B&H photo last night. I decided on this lens because of many good comments, and the IS feature just seems to make it a no-brainer for all around shooting. Unfortunately, today I was looking on the internet and found the following two web sites:
http://www.photographyreview.com/pscLenses/35mm,Zoom/Canon,EF,28-135mm,f-3.5-5.6,IS,USM/PRD_83415_3128crx.aspx
http://www.tawbaware.com/canon_lens_test.htm

The first one gives it a good rating, but several of the most recent reviews are less than flattering. The other site is not exactly a glowing review either. I guess I'm just looking for opinions on whether I made the right choice. Also, has anyone had any dealings with B&H photo? I saved over $100.00 by purchasing online over going to Wolf.

P.S. I'm sure some will ask what I plan on doing with the lens. Right now, I would like to try a little of everything macro, people, landscape, etc... I don't have an area of expertise. I need a good enough lens to do a lot. As with many of you, my kids will be the subject of the majority of my photos.

[figment]

135mm is not really long enough to need IS but I dont think this will be a bad thing. It will give you an extra stop or two for low-light / higher speed shooting :) Dont worry so much about reviews. The best photographers can take better pictures with a disposable camera than many average guys with $$$ of equipment. I'm sure you will enjoy the lens.

Whatever you do, dont buy an L lens though. Your bank account will suffer because of the addiction...

[Tom W]

I have the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 lens and I am happy with it. The lens you chose, the 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 is rated higher by most. It has at least as good of image quality as mine and I'm pretty happy with mine. It has a longer range. It has Image Stabilization. It is a very good lens. You did right. Quantaray is a cheap brand - their lenses work, but the quality is lacking, both in pictures and in actual construction.

B&H is a very reputable dealer. I have a 10D on its way from there. I've made previous purchases there as well, and always had my product within a week, even with the cheapest shipping available.

A couple of other places that review lenses:

http://www.photodo.com
http://www.photozone.de/

both give lenses a numerical rating, based mostly on measurements. The 28-135 performs very well, particularly against lenses in its price range and below.

[Belmondo]

You did the right thing. The 28-135 IS is a great lens. It was my first lens after buying the 10D, and it has given me a lot of really good pictures. It is certainly a great lens to start with, and it remains one of the best deals in the Canon lineup.

[Tom W]

135mm is not really long enough to need IS but I dont think this will be a bad thing. It will give you an extra stop or two for low-light / higher speed shooting :) Dont worry so much about reviews. The best photographers can take better pictures with a disposable camera than many average guys with $$$ of equipment. I'm sure you will enjoy the lens.

Whatever you do, dont buy an L lens though. Your bank account will suffer because of the addiction...

Actually, 135 at f/5.6 with a 1.6 multiplier will benefit from IS if lighting is a little weak. I can agree that reviews are sometimes over-rated, but its good to have some idea of what something is before we buy it (or right after as is very often the case). We just need to keep that grain of salt handy and remember that people will review things based on their perspective - The holder of L glass will not likely be impressed by this lens, but the holder of kit lenses would be delighted to have it. Its above average IMHO.

As for the L glass, I cannot agree more - I'm tempted myself and I don't even have the 10D in my hands yet. :P

[kkennedy]

Thanks for the replies. I feel better already. I admit that I got a kick out of one of the reviews that said "But images not in the same class as the 28-70 2.8L which i purchased lately". Well....DUH! If they were then I would be sorely disappointed in the more than twice the price "L" lens.

[Jim Larson]

B&H is one of the top three mail order houses in terms of price AND service (well, they are known to be rude, but they deliver the goods!)

The 28-135 is a workhorse canon lens. Optics are reportedly slightly better than the 28-105/3.5-4.5 and the 24-85. What you are paying for, however, is the IS function. IS has its merits :)

The only better lenses are the "L" zooms or the canon primes.

[CyberDyneSystems]

In fact you picked what many beleive to be the best "starter" zoom lens Canon makes. An excellent choice.

Next,. get your self a 50mm f/1.8 for $70.00 !!! :)

[Jesper]

OK, the 28-135 IS USM is not one of Canon's expensive "L" lenses, but many people regard it as Canon's best non-L lens. It's much better than any cheap kit lens. I love the IS - one of the posters above writes that "you don't really need IS for 135mm", but I disagree. You can easily use this lens to take good pictures at 1/30s or even slower at 135mm - without IS that would be really difficult.

[Morden]

The 28-135 was the first lens that I bought when I got my D60, and it remains my "everyday" lens on my 10D. It is a good quality, versatile lens that doesn't weigh too much or cost a fortune. I like it, obviously. :D

[cc10d]

I also have found the 28-135 to be a wee bit better than my 28-105 and I 'love' the IS. Hard to think of buying a lense without it now. :) :D

Chuck

[defordphoto]

Unfortunately, today I was looking on the internet and found the following two web sites:

There are measurebators out there that will beat up any product out there no matter what it is. These are the type of people that if you gave them a million dollars cash they'd complain because the bills were not brand new.

Ignore them.

As you see, we are not among that crowd here! :)

The 28-135IS was my first lens for my D60 and still remains my most used lens. As for the IS, it is extremely useful and I find I use the IS more on this lens than on my big lenses. Mainly because I find myself in lower light conditions more often with the 28-135 than with the long glass.

No, it is not the sharpest glass in Canon's lineup, but it does not matter. A little USM in post processing and you'll have excellent results that I dare anyone to criticize for not being sharp enough. Personally I think there are way too many people hung up on sharpness anyway, but we can save that for another thread.

Enjoy your 28-135IS. It will give you excellent service and results.

[figment]

Actually, 135 at f/5.6 with a 1.6 multiplier will benefit from IS if lighting is a little weak. I can agree that reviews are sometimes over-rated, but its good to have some idea of what something is before we buy it (or right after as is very often the case). I wish I had gotten IS with my 70 -200 because I can SEE that I need it sometimes. :(

I've heard baaad things about multipliers though...I tried one a few weeks ago (2x Canon) and the 70-200L had a hard time focusing with it. Seemed to really slow it down. (So I got the 100mm macro instead :lol: )

I was being a bit harsh with the review sentiment because I got a "sense" that it might be a hinderence.

[chris.bailey]

In case you needed further endorsement thew 28-135 is a great not L lense and quite compact to use as a carry round lense. From my limited and strictly non measurebator tests it holds its own well. It is about the only lense I have held on to as I have "upgraded" the others in the bag.