I need help deciding between two lenses

28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
http://www.canon.com …/ef_28~105_35~4​5_usm.html

24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM (the silver version.. it's ugly)
http://www.canon.com …m/ef_24~85_35~4​5_usm.html

Same price for both these lenses (used from a store with 3 months warranty) and the manager says they are in excellent condition (not mint, but very close) and no scratches on glas or such.
I've read a few reviews and get mixed results everytime, some say the 28-105 is a hidden gem and very good, and the next review says its wobbly with bad IQ.
Same with the 24-85.

Both these can be seen and read at photozone.de (you can see the silver version)
24-85 (very good results)
http://www.photozone.d​e …m-lab-test-report--review

28-105 (mediocre results)
http://www.photozone.d​e …5-usm-test-report--review

The money is an issue (ofcourse) but i still feel that i need a normal zoom for those family/walkabout days. Primes is my main love.. but i think one should have a lens with some versatality (spelling?).

So, i turn to you guys and your experience with them.

I had the 28-105 back in my film camera days (on my EOS3) and it was a super little lens and gave very good results.

Like this:

"The Canon EF 28-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 USM is arguably one of the most versatile and best performing "affordable" zoom lens ever made for Canon EOS cameras. It is truly the ultimate "MUST HAVE" zoom lens for every EOS camera kit"

"The Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM proved to be a quite solid performer without any spectacular strengths nor weaknesses except maybe low contrast performance"

what the hell? I'm confused.. so many mixed reviews...

cant you test both out?

I've had the 24-85 for a couple years now, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. It's fairly soft wide open (especially at 24mm, though better at 85mm) but results are great stopped down between f/8 and f/11. Proper ring-USM is a nice touch so AF is as fast as it comes. It's also very compact and light, making it nice to travel with. The outer barrel feels nice, but those two inner barrels are indeed wobbly, even when retracted.

As long as you're OK with 24mm being the widest, it's a decent option if the price is right. You may want to look into the 28-135 as well, it tends not to cost much more. I know you have an aversion to EF-S glass, but I'd strongly suggest considering a used 17-85 IS USM; it costs about the same as the 28-135 does used, but has a nicer range and better optical quality than the 24-85, plus it's stabilized.

Edit: found an almost full-size sample in my inbox (link). That was 32mm @ f/5.6. I can probably dig up more when I get home.

Ilovetheleafs wrote in post #15552540
cant you test both out?

It's an 7 hour drive..so unfortunally no.

Leopold Stotch wrote in post #15552573
I've had the 24-85 for a couple years now, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. It's fairly soft wide open (especially at 24mm, though better at 85mm) but results are great stopped down between f/8 and f/11. Proper ring-USM is a nice touch so AF is as fast as it comes. It's also very compact and light, making it nice to travel with. The outer barrel feels nice, but those two inner barrels are indeed wobbly, even when retracted.

As long as you're OK with 24mm being the widest, it's a decent option if the price is right. You may want to look into the 28-135 as well, it tends not to cost much more. I know you have an aversion to EF-S glass, but I'd strongly suggest considering a used 17-85 IS USM; it costs about the same as the 28-135 does used, but has a nicer range and better optical quality than the 24-85, plus it's stabilized.

Edit: found an almost full-size sample in my inbox (link). That was 32mm @ f/5.6. I can probably dig up more when I get home.

Yea, i have the 8mm for those really wide. So i got no problems with 24mm.
Thanks for the input and the provided image (what the hell happend to your flash?!) but if you would pick betwen these two.. which would you choose? (No EF-S for me.. sorry )

As you can see in my sig. i almost cover the range of the 24-85 (8, 40, 50 and the 85) so it might be a good idea to get the extra length.. maybe? Your thoughts?
Oh and not to sound shallow.. but that silver version REALLY put's me off..

NinetyEight wrote in post #15552398
I had the 28-105 back in my film camera days (on my EOS3) and it was a super little lens and gave very good results.

You havent tested it out on a DSLR since then?

bent toe wrote in post #15552886
Yea, i have the 8mm for those really wide. So i got no problems with 24mm.
Thanks for the input and the provided image (what the hell happend to your flash?!) but if you would pick betwen these two.. which would you choose? (No EF-S for me.. sorry )

I was deciding between these same two lenses at the time, and ended up with the 24-85 because I found one for $80. I was glad I ended up with that one though, because I found the 4mm gain on the wide end increased its overall usefulness far more than an extra 20mm on the tele end would have. I now have a 24-105, and while the optical quality is a huge improvement, I find the stretch to 105mm to be more of a bonus than a critical upgrade over 85mm. But then again these lenses were always paired with a 70-200, so your situation may be different.

As for the flash, I was shooting a mud run and an athlete accidentally brushed his leg against the flash.

i would just get an 18-55IS instead

And now it's paid and in the mail.. but it dident get any of the two mentioned...

I went with a completly different one, namely the hidden little gem EF 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 USM (no, not the newer versions without DOF window and with plastic mount).

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I have a question... if anyone knows.

I stumbled upon some specs on this specifik USM model (it's VERY hard finding anything about this version.. it's all about MKII or V) and this seemed strange:

Physical properties EF 28-80mm 3.5-5.6 USM
Weight 330g
Minimum length 77mm
Maximum length 77mm
Maximum diameter 72mm
Mount material Metal
Barrel colour Black
Barrel material Type 2 plastic
Weather resistance No

Source: http://photonotes.org …1=EF+28-80mm+f3.5-5.6+USM


Max and min length... is that the barrell? Wouldent that mean that it is internal focusing with no extending tube?

It does say:
"Extends when focussing Yes
Extends when zooming Yes
Focus type Internal or rear focussing
E-TTL II distance data Yes "

I shot the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 on a T1i and a 60D. I really liked it. I sold it when I got my 15-85. Recently I picked up a 5D and had to buy a 28-135 for an always-on lens. I wish I would have kept the 28-105. Nice lens.

TSchrief wrote in post #15556156
I shot the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 on a T1i and a 60D. I really liked it. I sold it when I got my 15-85. Recently I picked up a 5D and had to buy a 28-135 for an always-on lens. I wish I would have kept the 28-105. Nice lens.

Glad to hear, from what i read the 28-105 are almost identical in build and look to the 28-80. The sharpness and IQ are also identical. Too bad the 28-80 is 5.6 at the longest end. 4.5 should have been achieved.

hopefully i have it tomorrow and will let you guys know my thoughts.

I had 28 TO 105 and it was a decent lens.

God luck with the lens

bent toe wrote in post #15556044
I have a question... if anyone knows.

I stumbled upon some specs on this specifik USM model (it's VERY hard finding anything about this version.. it's all about MKII or V) and this seemed strange:

Physical properties EF 28-80mm 3.5-5.6 USM
Weight 330g
Minimum length 77mm
Maximum length 77mm
Maximum diameter 72mm
Mount material Metal
Barrel colour Black
Barrel material Type 2 plastic
Weather resistance No

Source: http://photonotes.org …1=EF+28-80mm+f3.5-5.6+USM


Max and min length... is that the barrell? Wouldent that mean that it is internal focusing with no extending tube?

It does say:
"Extends when focussing Yes ............... No, I believe this is wrong
Extends when zooming Yes
Focus type Internal or rear focussing
E-TTL II distance data Yes "

I used to have one. It is a very good lens and and yes, the front element moves in and out as you zoom. The lens doesn't really get longer, it is just the front element that moves forward inside the front of the lens. I don't remember it rotating at all, just extending. It's has been quite a while since I had this lens, so when you get it, please confirm it for us.

Because of this movement you can't put on the original lens cap if the filter threads are retracted.