Canon 28-135 on 6D

Dave Throgmartin wrote:

My go to lens on the 6D is the 17-40. I like being able to take in a point of view ranging from very wide to almost normal on my travels. My only other EF zoom lens is a 70-200 f/4 L USM. My backup camera is the 60D and its purpose is macro and wild life.

I would like to get a casual family event type of zoom lens for my 6D that is inexpensive. I would imagine myself using the lens periodically, but do not anticipate it would become my go-to lens. I'd expect the Canon 24-105L to be the most highly recommended, but it is too expensive for my purposes. I'm a photographer on a budget and I'd much rather put "bigger" money towards a quality wild life lens like the 400 f/5.6.

The EF 28-135 appears to fit the bill. Image quality appears to be good in the center and just ok in the corners. USM focus motor is a big plus as is image stabilization. The cost is another big plus, these lens appear to go for around $200 on the used market.

I went to my family Christmas celebration just last week and small group photos were being done mostly with a family member's P&S. The 17-40 is too short for this scenario and the 70-200 sticks out like a sore thumb. I think the 6D with the 28-135 and 430 EX II likely could have done a much better job than the P&S.

Any help anyone can give is appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

The lens is a steal for $200. Look how it captures a target compared to a $2400 70-200L lens.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=687&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=4&LensComp=116&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=3

Great review of this lens here:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/28-135mm.htm

I love the 28-135.  It's a great lens that is like Rodney Dangerfield...it just doesn't get any respect.  I got one as the kit lens with my 40D several years back - and just recently used it on my new 6D.  I'm attaching a few pictures taken with it..it's ideal for me as a walkaround lens...used it as such when I went to the West Side Market in Cleveland a few weeks back.  I really don't think you can go wrong with it...especially for the price!  Good luck!

ktownbill wrote:

The lens is a steal for $200. Look how it captures a target compared to a $2400 70-200L lens.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=687&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=4&LensComp=116&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=3

Wow, comparisons at f/8. How useful.

asad137 wrote:

ktownbill wrote:

The lens is a steal for $200. Look how it captures a target compared to a $2400 70-200L lens.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=687&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=4&LensComp=116&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=3

Wow, comparisons at f/8. How useful.

Typical response from a gear-snob.  The lens only opens to f/5.6, duh.....

The idea is for the OP to save $$.  Regarding useable apertures look at the 17-40 lens compared to the 16-35....   Would you use the 17-40 at f/5.6?  That lens is half the price of the 16-35 and as good if the optimum aperture is used.

Your post is useless and inflammatory and speaks of you.

The 24-105L can be picked up for under $600.  It offers 24 instead of 28 on the wide end and also offers a constant aperture.  The 28-135 doesn't hold up well over time.  It gets loose and creeps.

I had the 28-135 and used it regularly for many years.  The 24-105L is much better.  It is the go to lens for a huge amount of people.

BTW, before going for the 400 5.6 you should check out Tamron's 150-600 that's coming out this month.  Less expensive, longer reach and has gotten favorable reviews!  Regular price on that lens is going to be $1069!!!!

Thanks to everyone for their help.  Ultimately, I decided to make the purchase and picked up an EX grade 28-135 lens from KEH with caps and the hood.

I think the quality of images will meet my needs especially given the relatively low budget I had for this.

Some useful options were definitely expressed:

I'm sure the 24-105L would be an excellent choice as well, but it costs too much.  If it goes for $600 and I bought mine for $200, the $400 difference could go to better use buying things around the house, for photo related trips, or just put in the bank account.  As nice as the 24-105L is, it is still a compromise lens just like the 28-135.  It is just less compromised

I would definitely prefer to keep the 60D.  My macro lens is the EF-S 60mm and wouldn't work on full frame.  At some point perhaps I'll look to get a EF macro lens, but that is a ways down the priority list.

Also, the crop sensor IMHO does have some advantage for wild life when you're focal length limited.  280mm on crop sensor isn't exactly that great, but offers a much better opportunity than 280mm on full frame.  Top priority for me photo gear wise now is to get a quality wild life setup.

Harold's samples even relatively close to wide open and high ISO look good.  My favorite is the strawberry photo.

Regards

Dave

Dave,

Congratulations on your purchase!  I know you'll be pleased with the images and this lens will serve you nicely for a long time.

Post some of your images when you can, we'd enjoy seeing them.

And by the way...the strawberry pic was my favorite, too.

I just received the lens tonight and took some first shots.  First, one of our younger cat posing.

Second, a 1:1 crop of a 604 x 1217 pixel image from center of frame at 135mm f/5.6 of vitamin nutritional facts from maybe 15 feet.  I took this one as a JPG and sharpened in PSE10 with unsharp mask 85,1,4.

Seems sharp enough to me!

Dave

Dave,

Congratulations on getting your lens!  That's always exciting!  Your pics are great.  I really like the one of the cat and it is a good example of what the lens can do.

You'll enjoy it...it's a great walkaround lens...

Thanks for keeping us updated.  Post more when you can.

Have a great day!