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Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

Started Feb 5, 2015 | Discussions
sashab New Member • Posts: 3
Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!
1

I am in the market for a new lens. Right now, I have an 18-55mm kit lens that came with my t2i body and a 50mm prime lens. (I also have a close-up zoom attachment)

I'm considering selling the 18-55mm lens and get a lens with a broader range. I can't quite figure out which option to go for. Here are the ones i'm thinking about:

I am not really too thrilled on the 18-55mm lens, I actually find myself preferring to use the prime lens. The reason I am considering lenses with a broader range is I am currently taking a video class and they recommend having a lens with a broad range. I also hate having to change lenses when I am out and about.

In the future, I am also hoping to do more landscape and sports photography so I would like to get a lens that is suited for this as well.

Any and all suggestions welcomed! Thanks.

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dgumshu
dgumshu Veteran Member • Posts: 4,623
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

sashab wrote:

I am in the market for a new lens. Right now, I have an 18-55mm kit lens that came with my t2i body and a 50mm prime lens. (I also have a close-up zoom attachment)

I'm considering selling the 18-55mm lens and get a lens with a broader range. I can't quite figure out which option to go for. Here are the ones i'm thinking about:

I am not really too thrilled on the 18-55mm lens, I actually find myself preferring to use the prime lens. The reason I am considering lenses with a broader range is I am currently taking a video class and they recommend having a lens with a broad range. I also hate having to change lenses when I am out and about.

In the future, I am also hoping to do more landscape and sports photography so I would like to get a lens that is suited for this as well.

Any and all suggestions welcomed! Thanks.

I sent you a PM

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FD Contributing Member • Posts: 549
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

nr 3 !

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FD

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dil
dil Forum Member • Posts: 80
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

Surely the 18-135 though I would prefer adding a 55-250 to your 18-55. The range of the 28-135 starts with about 45mm äquivalent angle of view so you loose wide angle completely. I would prefer the APS-C äquivalent 17-85 or better the 18-135. The 18-200 has much worse picture quality if reviews are right. For me that wouldn't be an option.

Earth Art Regular Member • Posts: 400
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!
1

dil wrote:

Surely the 18-135 though I would prefer adding a 55-250 to your 18-55. The range of the 28-135 starts with about 45mm äquivalent angle of view so you loose wide angle completely. I would prefer the APS-C äquivalent 17-85 or better the 18-135. The 18-200 has much worse picture quality if reviews are right. For me that wouldn't be an option.

+1

As long as you purchase STM, it's going to be really high optical quality. 55-250 STM, 18-135 STM, and 18-55 STM are all market leaders in their price range and above.

jvc1 Senior Member • Posts: 2,202
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

You'd do well to stay away from the 18-200. The 18-135 STM is supposed to be great for video and have good IQ. IMO it's an easy choice. If you're buying it used make sure that it is the STM version.

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Alastair Norcross
Alastair Norcross Veteran Member • Posts: 9,874
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

I agree with the other replies. This is a real no-brainer. The 18-135 is optically far better than the other two, and it's much better for video, with the silent STM drive.

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Spotted Cow Senior Member • Posts: 1,586
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

I'd definitely go for the 18-135mm STM lens of the three listed. I have used the 28-135mm lens and the color and contrast on it were horrible, not even taking in to account the sharpness, not being wide enough on crop sensor, and the zoom creep that will happen sooner than later. I've never used the 18-200mm lens but I feel pretty comfortable in saying the image quality you will get from the 18-135mm STM lens will be far superior. I have the other STM lenses (10-18mm, 18-55mm - which I have not used a lot, and the 55-250mm) and they are all great. I have heard great things about the 18-135mm STM lens and if it's quality is anything like my 55-250mm STM lens, then I think you've got a clear choice.

cybersimba
cybersimba Senior Member • Posts: 1,724
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

18-200 is a really nice lens making it THE ONLY lens you shall need all the time. I have used it for couple of years and had been very happy. Have not used other two so cannot compare with them. Based on people I know who used 18-200, all have been very happy. I can say that I have been quite surprised by the quality of images from this lens given that its a super range zoom.

The only reason I sold it was because I upgraded to full frame so did not have any use for it at that point.

Here are some samples from my lens:

~Cybersimba

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R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,551
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

sashab wrote:

Any and all suggestions welcomed! Thanks.

Yet another vote for the 18-135 STM.

I've shot with the 18-200, a bunch of the 18-55s, and have now been shooting with the 18-135 STM for a year and a half.

Smoooth and completely silent Focusing, great Image Stabilization (incl Canon's "Dynamic Image Stabilization" when shooting video), and it's pretty sharp too.

Here's a sample...

Click on "Original size"

Here's a 100% crop at 24mm...

Click on "Original size"

For sports, it's an OK lens, but primes will definitely out-shoot it, as will the "L" zooms.  Which lens will work best depends on the types of sports you'll be shooting.

Best of luck,

R2

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jwilliams Veteran Member • Posts: 6,395
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!

Of the lenses you listed the 18-135 IS STM would be my vote.

Here is another option you might want to consider:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras/eos-sl1-18-55-is-stm-lens-kit-refurbished

For less than a new 18-135 you get a great camera and a very good kit lens. You could add the 55-250 IS STM later (or even 18-135) and you're set for just about anything. For video the SL1 is a definite upgrade over your existing camera as it is actually useful using the live view focus for stills or for video. The 18-55 IS STM is a better lens than the older kit lens you have now. I would recommend sticking to the STM lenses as Canon is going that route for video comaptibility.

Just wanted to add a different option you might not have thought about. I think it is a screaming deal and don't worry about buying refurb from Canon. I do it all the time and the products look and function like new.

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Jonathan

AusPhil Regular Member • Posts: 497
Re: Canon EF 28-135 USM, EF-S 18-200, or EF-S 18-135 STM? Help please!
1

cybersimba wrote:

18-200 is a really nice lens making it THE ONLY lens you shall need all the time. I have used it for couple of years and had been very happy. Have not used other two so cannot compare with them. Based on people I know who used 18-200, all have been very happy. I can say that I have been quite surprised by the quality of images from this lens given that its a super range zoom.

The only reason I sold it was because I upgraded to full frame so did not have any use for it at that point.

~Cybersimba

Agree totally on the 18-200. It can produce excellent results & has great versatility.

I also have 24-105L, 70-200 2.8 MkII, & 100-400L, but still consider the 18-200 a very worthwhile lens to have on hand.
I'd only replace it if I could find a better lens with a similar range.

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Phil
Canon 7DII, 50D, G12, T-90, T-70, A-1

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