EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM soft

OK it's not really soft - I guess - I'm new to dslr (550 d) and I bought this lens and am reasonably happy with it - my point is it is really good in the middle of the length range and I'm really wondering if I want a telephoto if I'm not going to use it at anything much other than 60 mm ... this is a bit of a general (and I admit) frustrated observation but I wondered what you guys with massive more knowledge than I have thought about that ? Regards Roger

It's not known for being a particularly sharp lens, but I have used it and did enjoy it...even for all it's shortcomings.

I use the same kit lens and yes it is very inconsistent.

You have a realllly high resolution sensor, with a lens that was built a long time ago with film in mind.


You will find that the lens has a nice feature set, with USM, IS, ef mount, decent focal range. However it is a slow zoom.


I will say that on a lower resolution sensor, or especially film, the lens makes sense.

Buy a film eos a2, some tmax 400 and go use it!!!!

Hi chaps, so good of you all to take the time to respond, I bought the 550d body only and did a fair bit of research looking for a 'general use' lens and this one had some good crits ... it was also suggested that it was good for Dslr. I find it surprising that a lens only introduced 10 years ago is considered 'old' technology and not really suited to digital ! I also had a budget - I really can't afford much more than £200 (I know that I'm probably asking a lot for the small amount of money but I do want to buy a nifty 50 as well and cash is tight at the moment) ... anyone suggest another lens (how often have you heard that question) ... with ideally a bit of zoom and nice and sharp ? Best regards Roger

rogertb wrote in post #12330872
I find it surprising that a lens only introduced 10 years ago is considered 'old' technology and not really suited to digital !

Well to be honest, in modern times with how fast technology advances, about 6 months after you buy something, it is already considered "old." Camera equipment does hold out for quite a bit longer, lenses especially, but with how fast body technology advances, they can make lenses obsolete very fast.

Very good point Raylon ... I'm a designer and remember the days when a pencil would last for months, even years, now I seem to have to update my software every 5 minutes ... oh well ... having said that I love the technology and wouldn't have it any other way, let's face it those pencils needed sharpening and every now and them, damn it, they'd break ! - Roger

Me again, if I've uploaded it correctly there is a hi res image here if anyone could check it out for me please (not a very exciting subject so please look from a technical viewpoint please):

http://www.rogerburton​.co.uk/stills/lenstest​.dng

Roger

Hi Roger. I've just had a quick look at the image....doesn't look too desperate to me but a quick question....is this a converted JPG from the camera or is it from the RAW file?

Bob

Yep it's the CR2 put through Adobe's DNG converter (not touched by anything else eg "Camera Raw") so it could do with a touch of sharpening etc ... good of you to take a look Bob = and tell it to me straight please ... best Roger (not sure what happened to the file during 'upload' it seems to be adding a .tif extension ... )

I like this lens a lot ,have used it on a 400D an 1D with very good results. Currently my daughter is using it heaps on her 450D and prefers it over her EFS 17-85is [hope I get it back one day], My copy is sharp with good colour and contrast if stopped down a stop and has taken some great shots on my old 1D classic

Thanks for contributing Steve, could you find time to have a quick look at the image and let me know if you think it matches up to the results you get with your lens (when you have use of it anyway) ! best Roger

Hi there. I also bought this lens with a 50D about a year ago and was very disappointed with its performance. I was lucky enough to Have bought the nifty 50 first so knew it was not the camera. I traded it for a macro lens where I bought it. I purchased the cheaper more plastic EF-S 55-250 IS. It doesnt have USM motor but focuses quite fast. This lens is great value but I know your a bit caught on the wide end. I bought the normal kit lens 18-55 and though more professional guys probably wouldnt rate it I find these 2 really cover 90% of what I need. Hope this is of some small help

rogertb wrote in post #12331506
Yep it's the CR2 put through Adobe's DNG converter (not touched by anything else eg "Camera Raw") so it could do with a touch of sharpening etc ... good of you to take a look Bob = and tell it to me straight please ... best Roger (not sure what happened to the file during 'upload' it seems to be adding a .tif extension ... )

A straight RAW conversion will always need some sharpeneing and maybe a contrast boost.....looks okay afterwards for a £200 lens.

Bob

Thanks again chaps for helping out, and Bob, it makes me feel better to know that it's not too bad, I totally understand that it's very much a 'budget' lens ... so I'll keep at it and work on my 'post' skills and save up for something a little sharper ... best Roger