lens questions

[sorbo]

I am looking to add a good walk around lens to my very small collection. Right now i am limited becasue I only have a 50mm 1.8 and a 18-55mm kit lens, I am quite happy with both i just need more focal length.

So I've look at the following so far:

1) 28-105 3.5-4.6 usm II
2) 28-200 3.5-5.6 usm (the reviews have been weak so far...)
3) 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS usm

having read the reviews I was wondering what you guys thought. I've read a lot from fredmiranda.com, but they are all about the "L" glass so the reviews are sometimes distorted IMO.

Do you guys shoot much past the 105mm mark? and when you do is it because you have too? or could you move yourself relative to the object.

I have played around with the 28-105 and the 28-135 at a store but not the 28-200. I liked both but the 28-135 seems better at macro and focuses slightly faster and better.

The main question i'm thinking about is that this will be a walk about lens that will travel. Is it worth $200+ more for the features discribed above and the 30mm (but in reality its 48mm) plus IS? Or for a beginner would the 28-105 be plenty, it has some solid reviews plus its lighter (travel) and cheaper (im a poor college grad) plus its a faster lens at the long end from my research.

also the 28-135 IS is not in stock anywhere, and i need it by jun 8th...

what you think?

thanks

[kameraguy]

sorbo, I have the 28-135 IS and it's a decent lens. Of the choices you mentioned, i'd recommend it over the others because the glass is better (one aspherical element, wheras the others have none AFAIK), and the IS is worth the cost alone.

It's not the longest lens, but it covers a decent range with quality optics. Definitely better to sacrifice length over the 28-200 which I also read isn't very good.

The 28-105 I used to have a loooong time ago (1993?) when I bought my first Canon (A2E). It was a kit lens and it got me by back then, but nowadays you can do much better in glass...the 28-135 is hands down better from my understanding even when compared to the revised 28-105 II. And...IS is definitely worth the extra cost when you are walking about.

[sorbo]

getting the 28-135 IS, will be here 6th or 7th. I think making the investment in this lens over the 28-105 well be wise in the long run, i think i'll use it more get better results plus a few other factors led to this choice.

[redline]

Congrats! I really need a nice walk around. I'm thinking of getting rid of the 70-200 f/4 L. Its either too long on the short end with the crop factor, or too short on the long end :( I really want the 24-105 and the 100-400!! That, with the 16-35 f/2.8 II would be my dream setup.

[sorbo]

thanks, i cant wait to get it...however the shipping is all messed up, the package is taking a tour of the northwest according to the tracking info.

I hear you on the crop, it gets me on the wide end.

[sorbo]

Image Stabilizer, is the shit. I love this lens already.

[kameraguy]

Image Stabilizer, is the shit. I love this lens already.

:werd:

[redline]

Dang, I've never used IS!

[sorbo]

so i thought i'd show what the IS system can do. These are the first shots i took with the lens. 135mm, iso200, 1/15 sec., f5.6, EV 0, auto WB, 100% crop, also I locked the focus so that is the same as well. the only edit done was from RAW to JPEG. I tryed to be as still as i could for both shots.

so without the IS...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1245/538318381_104dd5568b_o.jpg

and now with...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1249/538318383_40bc064c46_o.jpg


I don't think i need to say anything :).

[rammbs]

heeh nice. congrats on the new lens!

anymore pics to share?

[sorbo]

heeh nice. congrats on the new lens!

anymore pics to share?

In a few days... Right now am in a hotel in Yreka, CA drove 600+ miles with a late start. Got a few shots in Portland, OR earlier today. I am gonna hit up San Francisco for a few days then Santa Barabara. After that i will have some time to chill out at my temporary pad for the summer and post. I can't wait to see what i can get.

[redline]

Dang, very nice! I've got to get out and take some more pics soon! Currently my Powerbook is getting serviced, and our iMac doesn't have PSCS2. Looking to make a vintage film purchase soon though!!