Opinions on Canon EF 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 USM II please

Hi there, I've been reading the potn forums for a while but this is my first post. I've got an EOS 400D with the standard 18-55 kit lens. I didn't want to rush into buying another lens until I was sure I knew what I needed but I'm fast approaching the point where I need to.

Up until recently, I was pretty much set on the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 which seems to be well rated by most people. I was going to use this as my main lens. But recently I've had my doubt's that 70mm will be enough for me. I spend a lot of time looking at the great stuff on Pbase and a lot of the stuff which I aspire to seems to be taken at 105mm.

So now I'm thinking of getting the EF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM II and keeping the 18-55 kit lens for any wide angle shots. Any opinions on this strategy? Will the EF 28-105 make a good walk round lens? I can get the Canon lens cheaper than the Sigma, which is a bonus.

Thanks in advance.

LOL, i'm considering this lens for my dad (he's only gonna carry one), i too looked at the sigma/tamron alternatives but i don't like the fact that canon do not share much information with the 3rd party lens makers so i'd rather just buy canon.

my concern was actually that 28 would be too long on an XTi/400d for indoors. i think a used 28-135IS at around $350 is also an option.

Vendee wrote in post #3398143
Hi there, I've been reading the potn forums for a while but this is my first post. I've got an EOS 400D with the standard 18-55 kit lens. I didn't want to rush into buying another lens until I was sure I knew what I needed but I'm fast approaching the point where I need to.

Up until recently, I was pretty much set on the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 which seems to be well rated by most people. I was going to use this as my main lens. But recently I've had my doubt's that 70mm will be enough for me. I spend a lot of time looking at the great stuff on Pbase and a lot of the stuff which I aspire to seems to be taken at 105mm.

So now I'm thinking of getting the EF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM II and keeping the 18-55 kit lens for any wide angle shots. Any opinions on this strategy? Will the EF 28-105 make a good walk round lens? I can get the Canon lens cheaper than the Sigma, which is a bonus.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Vendee and welcome to POTN

The 28-105MM EF Mark II was the first lens I bought after I got a dRebel XT. I used it for a year with great results as I learned the ins and outs of SLR photography and focal lengths. It is one of the best bargins Canon offers in the lens department. Sharp images, good color, and good contrast. It is a decent Macro lens as well.

After I started on building my current kit I gave my first dRebel XT, the kit lens, and the 28-105MM Mark II to my daughter so she could learn digital SLR photography as I did...she is loving it

So, I say go for it...just be sure you get the Mark II version...it is the best of three Canon lenses in that focal range.

minhi wrote in post #3398376
... my concern was actually that 28 would be too long on an XTi/400d for indoors. i think a used 28-135IS at around $350 is also an option.

But if you keep the kit lens then you have 17MM to105MM covered...and that is a great range to use from landscapes to portriats to "street" photography.

The kit is better than the press it gets around here...just stop it down to f/8 or so and you will get sharp pictures. Amp up the ISO for indoors use

Vendee,
Welcome to the forum
Yes the Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 II USM is an excellent lens (to my eyes), and I have been very happy with it on my 10D and 5D. Its got a great low cost and its also a small light weight lens, good bang for the buck
I made this web page showing photos with 100% crops of this lens wide open in low light along with links to many photos I have taken with this lens - 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 II USM <-- click to see

JimAskew wrote in post #3398401
But if you keep the kit lens then you have 17MM to105MM covered...and that is a great range to use from landscapes to portriats to "street" photography.

The kit is better than the press it gets around here...just stop it down to f/8 or so and you will get sharp pictures. Amp up the ISO for indoors use

this would be an option, but you don't know my dad, he really will only keep 1 lens on the camera--the 35-70(?) on his eos rebel has never been taken off in 10+ years!

Thanks to everyone for their replies. My mind is pretty much made up now in favour of the EF 28-105. Thanks in particular to John B for the useful link to your sample shots.

Vendee,
I have been using the 28-105 USM MkI for the last 13 years and it is the best lens I have ever used. I too use a 18-55 USM for wider angle shots. But the 28-105 stays on my camera for about 95% of my photography.
If you do buy it, don't buy the non USM version and make sure that it is the MKII with the metal lens mount.

Regards,

MarkT8

I have the second version of this lens and love it. It is my main walk-around lens. I purchased mine off of ebay after doing extensive reading. Here is a good link about the different versions of the 28-105mm.

http://reviews.ebay.co​m …0QQugidZ1000000​0000771280

I waited a few months until I found the macro/ made in Japan version.

MischiefK9s wrote in post #3399768
I waited a few months until I found the macro/ made in Japan version.

What's the difference between Japan and Taiwan version (besides country of origin)?

tiha wrote in post #3399855
What's the difference between Japan and Taiwan version (besides country of origin)?

"The last factor to consider is where the lens was manufactured. The Mark II version of this lens was produced in both Taiwan and Japan. The vast majority of these were built in Taiwan! IF THE LENS WAS ACTUALLY BUILT IN JAPAN, it will be clearly labeled "MADE IN JAPAN" in BOLD WHITE LETTERING right on the front trim ring, as shown below. Canon is very proud to advertise that it was manufactured in their finest facility."

This quote is from the above linked article. Quality is probably much better with the lenses that are manufactured in Japan.

Its an excellent lens for the money. If you don't want to shell out the cash for a 24-105L, the 28-105 Mk II is a great value for the money. Very sharp, good color and pretty good contrast. 28 is not very wide on a crop body, but you already know that and have the wide end covered with the kit lens. IMO, the 28-105 Mk II is a real sleeper. Here's a link I posted a while back comparing the 28-105 to the 24-105L:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=318746

Thanks for the link. I've ordered the lens today so there's no going back but I'm really looking forward to using it.

Vendee wrote in post #3398143
So now I'm thinking of getting the EF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM II and keeping the 18-55 kit lens for any wide angle shots. Any opinions on this strategy?

Not a bad plan, but i'd buy a telezoom (something in the 70-200 / 70-300 range) instead and keep the kit zoom for a while as normal lens.You won't miss the 55-70 zone. A telezoom gives you a larger range of new options than a 28-105. The 28-105 is not bad and good value, but in terms of image quality it's not a remarkable step up from the kit zoom.

The Sigma 17-70 is a step up from the kit zoom, but in terms of focal length it only gives you an extra 15mm. It's a great choice, but i'd get something different first instead of an upgrade over something you already have.

Not for me, maybe for you. Set your lens to 28mm in different sitations and see whether htat's wide enough for you for a walkaround.