Canon EF 28-135 IS v EF-S 18-135 IS?

zerodeluxe

zerodeluxe

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Ben
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Hi everyone!

Brand new here, so forgive me if this has been covered before!

I'm a bit of a novice, but I am gaining knowledge/experience all the time, and trying where I can to get slightly better equipment. I recently bought a Canon 450d with the 18-55 as the kit lens. I'd like to improve on this for a walkabout lens, but my budget is pretty slim, so 'L' glass lenses are out!

I've been looking at the EF 28-135 IS, and I've read lot of good reviews, and many, many happy reports from photographers - all relative to it's price point of course, the main negative being the 'wide' not being quite 'wide enough'.

Last night I stumbled upon the EF-S 18-135 IS, and again it's a good budget lens. Not found so many glowing reviews, but seemingly good in it's price bracket, and would cover the same width as my current lens.

Does anyone have experience in either of these lenses from which a good comparison could be drawn? I'd like the wider option, but (this may sound ridiculous) the 28-135 'looks' the better lens (book/cover judgement).

Can anyone vouch for the 18-135 being as good as the 28-135? I'll most likely buy used, but the 18-135 might be affordable from new judging from some store prices.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Ben
 
I have the 18-135 & I'm very pleased with it, if you look at the sample crops on the-digital-picture.com you will see that the 18-135 is sharper, it also has the better IS system giving up to 4 stops of stabilisation compared to only 2 stops on the 28-135.

All the images in this LINK were shot with the 18-135.
 
I have the 18-135 IS as my walkabout lens and its a lovely lens, nice and sharp with absolutely beautiful colour rendering. Oh, and the IS is the best I've used!

Some of the reviews were unfair to this lens as it really is a cracker.
 
zerodeluxe said:
Cool - thanks for that. Looks pretty sharp and the colours are good (or are these processed?)
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They were all processed with DPP, I applied lens correction and a slight adjustment to levels.
 
I have no experience with the 18-135mm, but do use a 28-135mm on my 40D. The 28-135 probably has a greater number of reviews simply because it is an older lens (hence only 2 stops of IS as well). I have another lens for wider work but do use the 28-135 as a walkabout sometimes and have been very pleased with it.

I guess one of the things to consider is whether you will want to go full frame down the line as the 28-135 would be compatible whilst the 18-135 will not
 
It's all to do with sensor size. Full frame just means that the sensor covers that same area as 35mm film, whereas your camera (and mine) have smaller sensors (known as APS-C).

A full frame camera cannot cope with EFS fit lenses whereas a crop frame one can use both EF and EFS
 
zerodeluxe said:
I see...

So are the full frame cameras the higher-end ones?
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Yes, the Canon 5D, 5D Mark II and any of the 1DS (Mark I, II or III). Full frame is mega expensive unless you go for a second hard 5D Mark I.
 
...in that case it's unlikely I'll be going full-frame for quite some time... as said, I'm on a budget for now!

Maybe in a few years I might have a bit more cash to play with, in which case I might be able to afford a compatible lens then!

For now, the improved IS of the 18-135 is winning me over. Just doesn't look quite as meaty as the 28-135 ;)
 
I'm getting really confused on this one now... just don't know which might be better for me! I've got nowhere close by where I might be able to try them either.

I'm really like the sound of the 28-135 for the USM and reviews I've heard, it's just whether having the USM is really important, or if the newer IS on the 18-135 will make a noticeable difference....

I can pick up both brand new for around £220 on ebay....
 
zerodeluxe said:
I'm getting really confused on this one now... just don't know which might be better for me! I've got nowhere close by where I might be able to try them either.

I'm really like the sound of the 28-135 for the USM and reviews I've heard, it's just whether having the USM is really important, or if the newer IS on the 18-135 will make a noticeable difference....

I can pick up both brand new for around £220 on ebay....
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If you think you will need a wide angle lens then the 18-135 would be better.

Matt
 
zerodeluxe said:
I did note the 28-135 is a USM lens.... does this make much of a difference?
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USM = ultra sonic focusing, it allows for quieter and faster focusing. The focus system on the 18-135 will be louder and possibly slightly slower but I don't think that would bother too many people, unless that was a deciding factor.

The 18-135 offers a decent walkabout focal range with similar image quality (if not better) to the 28-135.

If you ever went full frame in the future then you would probably be getting rid of either and get a 24-105L, although it would be a lot more expensive. :)
 
If it helps, I tried both before I bought my 18-135.

The 18-135 was better all around, and the 28-135, crucially, was not wide enough to be considered a walkabout lens (on a crop).

And although the 28-135 has USM, and the 18-135 does have noisy focusing, the focusing speed was about the same!
 
Thank you... I do still have the 18-55 for wider shots, but not such a good lens. I would like a dedicated wide angle at some point though, hence why I am considering the 28-135.

If the 18-135 image quality is the same though then maybe that would be better. The USM might be good for trying to catch the kids though! ;)

EDIT - If speed is the same then that might be ideal.
 
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IMO the image quality of the 18-135 was better than the 28-135. I also have the 10-22 mm for really wide stuff but I use the 18-135 as my walkabout / travel lens which it totally excels at as you never need to change lenses!
 
Looks like there is an almost new 18-135 on the for sale forum right now. Looks to be a decent price, so that might help you make up your mind.

Gary
 
You could always put in a lower offer, I often see the listed price as just a guide, unless specifically stated no offers.
 
Just a quick update... finally got my 28-135mm last week, used from eBay. Not a bad price plus hood and case thrown in. A little dust inside, but doesn't seem to be affecting things....

Very pleased so far. Certainly better than my standard 18-55! Will be good for me I hope!
 
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