The term “kit lens” is used to cover all manner of sins. In some cases, such as the infamous Canon 18-55mm kit lens, the sins are very real – that lens has a reputation for being a real dog. But in other cases, the kit lens can pull a few surprises. Several models of the Canon XXD series camera, and now the 7D, have been available as kits, coming with the Canon 28-135mm f/2.5-5.6 IS lens.
An older model lens, Canon’s 28-135mm IS lens sits in the lower middle of the lineup, with a price tag of $400 and a feature list that includes some popular points, while skipping others. In terms of quality however, this lens is a sure bet. I’ve owned two, the first purchased used and the second which came with my 7D. In both cases, the lenses were excellent; good color, few aberrations, and great sharpness. The focal length makes it a perfect everyday walk-around lens, although it is perhaps not quite wide enough for some. I’ve successfully used it for everything from portraiture to astrophotography.
No one will ever mistake the 28-135mm for an L-series lens. It is a plastic build with a metal mount and, while the lens does feel like it’s made of a good solid plastic, there’s some play in the barrel, especially when zoomed all the way out. If you drop it from the couch to a carpeted floor, it will probably be fine; a fall to concrete, however, and it’s probably a goner.
Likewise its apertures don’t stack up to the professional series lenses. At 28mm the maximum aperture is f/3.5, decreasing to f/5.6 as you continue towards 135mm. In short, it is not a fast lens – even less so since you are more likely to be using it between 50-135mm at f/5.6 than at 28mm. However, Canon compensates for that with the inclusion of the Image Stabilization system. Canon claims somewhere around 3-stops of stabilization, although the fine print reminds you that your mileage will vary. Either way, the IS does help offset the slower apertures to some degree, and the increased ISO performance of the newest cameras also helps.
The 28-135mm IS is a USM lens, with a catch; to keep the price down, Canon did away with full-time manual focusing. So while the lens sports the gold USM logo and a quick, quiet focus motor, you’ll have to flip the switch to manual before twisting the focus ring. For some folks this might be a black eye, but personally I don’t find it to be a problem at all.
Overall, the 28-135mm IS is an excellent lens for everyone up to the professional level (although I’m sure some “pros” would dispute that). If you’re looking for a walk-around lens with a great range, definitely consider it. Nature, portraits, events? Still worth looking at. Unless you’re going to trek the outback or take up photojournalism, there’s really few applications where this lens wouldn’t be at least competent. I can say that I’m definitely a fan. Several times I’ve considered the 24-105mm L lens, but I keep deciding against it – the constant f/4 and better build quality just isn’t worth the loss in focal length or the huge expense. Not to me, at least, right now.
Before buying the 28-135mm IS, I used a Canon 18-55mm kit lens and a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. If I could do it all again, I’d have just bought the 28-135mm IS to start with.
