IS or NOT

[toycollector]

I'm looking at a 300mm F4/L.

I haven't used a lens with IS, is it worth an extra $400??

Thanks...

[Pekka]

With that focal lenght and aperture, it is.

[raymo960]

I am considering the 28-135 IS lens. I have a bit of a shake in my hands and have ruined many great images as a result of camera shake.

Is the IS effective at the lower zoom levels? Also, do you loose any image quality with IS?

Thanks,
//Ray

[Rudi]

Ray,

I have the 28-135mm IS lens, and the IS works! I now routinely shoot at 1/20 of a second at the long end (in low-light) and the photos come out sharp.

I'm not saying that you will be able to get the same results (at 1/20 second). I am usually quite good at handholding my camera at long shutter speeds (unless I've had too much coffee! :) ), but the IS wil definitely help you out, even at higher shutter speeds. I have the IS turned on most of the time, only turning it off when I use a tripod or do "panning" shots, while shooting racecars or similar.

I have noticed no loss of quality while using IS. I love my 28-135mm IS! I think it's a great lens for the money...

HTH,

[Digital Don]

toycollector,

"Is it worth it?" depends on your particular situation. IS does work, but most of the lenses are not cheap.

I have a Canon 100-400mm IS lens. The IS feature has allowed me to take pictures that otherwise would not have turned out. You have to calculate what it costs versus what you will gain from having it.

Or, just buy it! Good luck with your decision.

Digital Don

[Stephane]

If you have the money go for it, it save me a lot of time in the past. I actually miss it on some other lens that i have. It's a wonderful technology.

[Vipermike]

The 28-135 IS is my first IS lense...how can I ever go back :)

http://www.pbase.com/vipermike/canon_d60_images

Mike Malloy

[gudac]

The camera shop that I purchased my D30 from talked me into the 28-135 IS model last year when I purchased the camera. It has worked perfectly. I wanted to get a lens with a larger zoom. I went with the 75-300 USM model and ended up returning it for the 75-300 IS model. There seems to be a major difference in the quality of the lenses. The IS model just feels like a better piece of equipment. As for the quality of the photos, I think the IS does a better job overall. I am far from being a photographer as I started with Digital and have never used a Film SLR. Another point that was made to me is that the IS lenses will hold their value and are easier to sell if that becomes an option.

[dwalker]

You will not regret the purchase of an IS lens no matter what the price. I've owned the 28-135 IS and presently own both the 100-400L IS and the 70-200L F2.8 IS. The last lens I hesitated on because of the price but finally decided I wouldn't be happy without IS. I don't regret this decision.

[TLMelanson]

As with most things photographic, you'll see pros and cons about this lens. Some prefer the 24-85 non IS lens for its light weight and (according to them) better color and contrast.

Others find the 28-135 IS USM to be just dandy.
I had one and enjoyed using it. I think that the lens *is* ever so slightly "muddy" but nothing a tweak in PS can't cure. If I were in your position, I would grab it.

(I sold mine with my D30 only because I have other "L" lenses and was always afraid that I'd be out with the 28-135 IS, get one of those once in a lifetime shots, and wished I had my 28-70L on the camera instead. Probably foolish as I've seen some great stuff done with the 28-135 IS USM.)

Great all 'round, "jack of all trades" lens at a good price.

[cyclist2]

I also have the 28-135 IS lens plus the 75-300 IS. I now keep the 28-135 on the D30 most of the time. It's sharp for landscapes and also macro. Am also looking for a 300 f/4 IS lens. Hope you have success with yours. My only complaint about the 2 above mentioned lenses is that they won't accept the excellent Canon 1.4 X II extender (but it works with the 300 IS). IMO it is worth the extra money for the IS lens.

[EugeneK]

I have used a 300L IS for many years for bird photography and it has been great. I rarely mount it on a tripod so I leave it on IS. I hand shoot with it on film a Canon A2 (film) currently, and will get a D-60 soon. I use it straight, with a 1.4, and sometimes a 2.0 Canon adapter hand held. It really helped increase the percentage of good shots from the throw-aways. For handheld nature shooting I recommend it.

-Eugene