Canon 28-135 IS USM Lens

I have a 300D and will be upgrading to the new xTi as soon as the mania dies down, but, in the meantime, I would like to invest in a good, general purpose lens. I am considering the Canon 28-135 IS USM lens for around $400, but I've learned to ask before spending money, being new to all of this.

1) Is this a good choice?
2) It will also work on the xTi, correct?

I appreciate any comments you might care to make.

1) Yes it is a OK choice
2) Yes ALL EF lenses and EFS mount lens will fit on a EOS camera.

3) Why not get the 17-85 IS EFS lens for your XTi? Its built for that camera more then the 28-135 IS. I had the 28-135 IS and it is a fantastic lens, one I wish I never sold but if I had to buy it again I would probably not and go for either the 17-85 IS from Canon or the 17-70 from Sigma. Both seem to be better alternatives for a 1.6 Crop camera.

it will work on the XTi.

the 28-135 is definitly a lens of much debate here. i have personally used several copies, and found them to be highly versatile lenses. No the best optical quality out there, and variable aperture. but the IS is a nice feature, and the range is very nice, even though 28 isnt that wide. Many people will tell you to get a 24/8-70/5 2.8 series lens, but if you just want a good walkaround, for a decent price, its certainly one of canon's best consumer lenses. Not the best out there, but not as bad as some people give it the reputation to be.

cjm wrote in post #2086955
3) Why not get the 17-85 IS EFS lens for your XTi? Its built for that camera more then the 28-135 IS. I had the 28-135 IS and it is a fantastic lens, one I wish I never sold but if I had to buy it again I would probably not and go for either the 17-85 IS from Canon or the 17-70 from Sigma. Both seem to be better alternatives for a 1.6 Crop camera.

agreed

cjm, thanks. You said the 17-85 IS EFS would be a little better for the xTi when I upgrade, but I'm not sure why --- probably because I don't know what a 1.6 crop camera is. Thanks to Billginthekeys as well.

Spend the extra $$ and get a used 70-200 f/4L, you will love the optics and the les in general.

WorldCountries wrote in post #2087111
cjm, thanks. You said the 17-85 IS EFS would be a little better for the xTi when I upgrade, but I'm not sure why --- probably because I don't know what a 1.6 crop camera is. Thanks to Billginthekeys as well.

some DSLRS (the 10D, 20D, 30D, Rebel series to name the latest) have a sensor smaller than actual 35mm film. in this case 1.6x is the "crop" given to the images. Therefore effectively, the 28mm becomes 45mm, therefore not to wide. the 17-85 was made specificly to replace the 28-135 range on the crop sensors, because it effectly becomes 28-135ish when the crop is factored in. If the wide end is important to you, then the 17-85 would be the better choice, if its mainly the telelphoto, then the 28-135.

Wow, I've seen this mentioned before but never understood it. Thanks. As usual, the agony of indecision will finally give way when the desire to see one or the other of these lenses on my desk overwhelms me --- probably later tonight. Thanks again to both of you.

cgratti wrote in post #2087129
Spend the extra $$ and get a used 70-200 f/4L, you will love the optics and the les in general.

I agree with that but that isnt exactly an all purpose lens like the 28-135 IS is. Another one that might be good, if you can get a good copy is a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG EX lens.

The Canon 17-85mm IS, Sigma 17-70mm and the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 are all good lenses. The 28-135 IS is also a great lens (nicknamed the doorstop) but on a crop camera it isnt the best. Still really good just not that wide.

Crop cameras are Rebel series or 20/30D series cameras mainly. (And 1D's)

WorldCountries wrote in post #2087151
Wow, I've seen this mentioned before but never understood it. Thanks. As usual, the agony of indecision will finally give way when the desire to see one or the other of these lenses on my desk overwhelms me --- probably later tonight. Thanks again to both of you.

I wrote this article a short while ago about having to factor in focal length conversion and why the 17-85 ultimately works out to be a better choice if you want this FL. If not you might just be wondering why your 28mm is never wide enough, just as I did

Click here

cjm wrote in post #2087152
I agree with that but that isnt exactly an all purpose lens like the 28-135 IS is. Another one that might be good, if you can get a good copy is a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG EX lens.

The Canon 17-85mm IS, Sigma 17-70mm and the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 are all good lenses. The 28-135 IS is also a great lens (nicknamed the doorstop) but on a crop camera it isnt the best. Still really good just not that wide.

Crop cameras are Rebel series or 20/30D series cameras mainly. (And 1D's)

He could always add the 50mm 1.8 for general stuff along with the 70-200 f/4L...

cgratti wrote in post #2087208
He could always add the 50mm 1.8 for general stuff along with the 70-200 f/4L...

That still isnt very wide. Now if he bought a 17-40 L and a 70-200 L then that would be a good combo.

cjm wrote in post #2086955
2) Yes ALL EF lenses and EFS mount lens will fit on a EOS camera.

all will mount, but if you put an ef-s lens on a non aps-c body, it will damage your camera.

cjm wrote in post #2087249
That still isnt very wide. Now if he bought a 17-40 L and a 70-200 L then that would be a good combo.

Yeah, I've been checking out the L's...if this were my business I would not even bother with anything else, and I'd save up for a 1D or something. That said, this is an addictive hobby. I bought the Rebel 300D, got one good shot by accident, and became hooked. So who knows, maybe the "L"s are in my not so distant future, also. I'm sure you would all agree that really learning the camera and basic principles should be the first step, though...at this point, putting that kind of equipment in my hands would be like buying a $5,000 guitar for someone who hasn't learned the scales.

I sure appreciate the comments. I think I'll go with the 28-300 for now and maybe pick up the 17-85 next month for some product photography I need to do. Thanks again.

WorldCountries wrote in post #2087324
I think I'll go with the 28-300 for now and maybe pick up the 17-85 next month for some product photography I need to do. Thanks again.

Which one is that? Obviously not the L version but which one?