Binoculars(35)
Calculators(11)
Camcorders(818)
Copiers & Fax(199)
EOS Cameras(5,507)
PowerShot Cameras(5,856)
Printers & Multifunction(5,051)
Scanners(485)
Shop Now At Canon
Shop Lenses or
Choose a Category
Top-Rated Products
Customer Reviews for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Image Stabilizer and high zoom ratio
Uses ring-type USM for swift, silent autofocus and full-time manual focus
Closest focusing distance is 20 inches
16 elements in 12 groups
Average Customer Rating:
(59 Reviews) 57
Rating Snapshot (59 reviews)
5 stars
14
4 stars
25
3 stars
13
2 stars
5
1 star
2
37 out of 59(63%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Review 1 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Bee
Location: hawaii
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Disappointed - chromatic aberration
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:March 10, 2013
Cons: Poor build quality, chromatic aberration
I experienced constant chromatic aberration on high contrast shots using this lens.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 2 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: franz
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Truthful warning
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:March 9, 2013
Cons: Semi-sharp images, Poor build quality
Very poor quality in the range between 80 and 135mm, even for regular printouts. Very sensitive to sand and dust, barrel shaky. 24-105 L is so much better. If anyone considers buying a DSLR for reasons of image quality (over choosing a analogue or bridge camera), this lens is inadequate for the purpose. Sold mine after two years of disappointments on my first DSLR, the 20D.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 3 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Bill
Location: New Hampshire
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Terrible lens creep
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:February 5, 2013
Pros: nice focal range on full frame
Cons: Poor build quality
The images on my 5d mk II look fine but the lens creep is awful. It's not even lens creep so much as it is lens flop. It falls right out when the camera is pointed down. Ker-plunk!
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 4 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: BylarBear
Location: Calgary, Ab
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Perfect for Nothing, Adequate for Everything
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:January 29, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus
Cons: Semi-sharp images, Poor build quality
This lense came as part of a package deal on my 40D. This lense has been sufficient for travelling and most types of photography. The images captured by this lense are neither super-sharp nor unacceptably blurry. If it is your first lense for your first DSLR camera it will do. Though as you grow and gain more experience as a photographer you will quickly desire a new, better quality lense.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 5 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Bradsww2items
Location: Anaheim CA
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Travel
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Fair Lens Package
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:January 9, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
Cons: Poor build quality
This lens is a good lens but has a poor build quality. Lens does not hold in place so radles and zooms out if facing down. Takes good pictures and and are shape images. Over all a good lens when it comes to images but bad lens for build quality.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 6 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: JayJay
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
It's decent
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:December 26, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus
Cons: Semi-sharp images, Poor build quality
The lens is loose so if slips when you point it down. It's not that sharp all the time and it doesn't take pictures in low light very well.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 7 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Tanya
Location: Westerly, ri
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Travel
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Horrible lens
Overall Rating
Features
1
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
1
out of
5
Quality
1
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:November 19, 2012
Cons: Semi-sharp images, Poor build quality, soft
Lens came in the kit with my 50D. Don't waste your money or time on it, if you want quality prints. Lens is not sharp all the way through, it is very soft. The lens creeps, it literally keeps sliding when you hold it, pick it up etc. Save your money and purchase a better lens.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 8 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Anonymous
Location: Minneapolis
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Sports
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Great inntermediate lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 30, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, very sharp images, good build quality
I really like the USM lens. Great quality of product and pictures for those who can not afford an L series nor needs one. Much heavier than stock kit lens. Compared to stock lenses the auto-focus is fast to very fast and accurate. I use it a lot for high school sports, traithlons, marathons. It gives me a bit of wide angle but the ability to get closer if need be all with a single lense. I did rent an L lense for a weekend and there was really no difference between the USM and the L using a XSi. It would probably be different on a 7D or higher end full frame.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 9 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: KarismPhotography
Location: Puerto Rico
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: Less than 1 year
Product replacement: Yes
Great lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:August 23, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, good in low light, great for video
This lens are accurate, focus very well on low-light conditions, fast focus and sharp image.
The color accuracy is awesome and the sharpness is superb.
The blades make a really nice blur for the background in open apertures.
I use it with my Canon T2i (bought this lens with it) and this is my choice l;ens for wedding, couple and sometimes video shootings.
The manual focusing ring is very comfortable to work with too.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 10 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Patrick
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:June 19, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus
Cons: Semi-sharp images, lens slips into full zoom
I got this lens with my EOS 7D, and at first, I thought it was amazing, probably because I recently upgraded and though everything about the kit was superior to my last kit. However, I noticed one MAJOR flaw right out of the getgo, THE LENSE ALWAYS SLIDES OUT INTO FULL ZOOM. This lens is nice but if you ever hold the lens (with or without the camera) at anything near a vertical angle, the lens just slides loose like its a piece of cheap plastic. All in all, it is an average lens. Not a great one, and GOOD is probably generous.
11 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 11 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: MainstreamRailfan
Location: Lafayette, IN
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Decent Lens
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:June 1, 2012
Pros: good zoom range
Cons: Slow auto-focus, Semi-sharp images, lens creep, issues focusing on moving subjects
I got this lens with my EOS 7D. I am a railfan, and let me tell you, when a train is barreling toward you at 60 MPH, the lens you have needs to focus quickly! This lens is ok, when it comes to focusing speed. Some times it is a little sluggish especially when the train (or other moving subject) is moving at a good clip perpendicular to your shooting position. It has issues focusing on moving subjects, especially in low light, however, after re-focusing a couple of times, you can normally get it to focus where you want it.
Lens creep on this thing is HORRID! I can let the camera hand around my neck and without moving or touching the camera in any way, the lens will creep instantly all the way out to full zoom!
Photos turn out a bit soft to me. However, I can normally correct this to some extent in Digital Photo Professional. The lens has a USM motor which is nice. The Image Stabilizer is also pretty good. It can lock onto things pretty well. Another complaint is that the focus ring is easily moved out of focus when trying to zoom the lens. But I suspect this is only a personal problem given I have "Ball Park Frank" fingers. :D This is an ok lens and I would recommend it to a friend who shoots still objects, and/or portraits.
Lens creep on this thing is HORRID! I can let the camera hand around my neck and without moving or touching the camera in any way, the lens will creep instantly all the way out to full zoom!
Photos turn out a bit soft to me. However, I can normally correct this to some extent in Digital Photo Professional. The lens has a USM motor which is nice. The Image Stabilizer is also pretty good. It can lock onto things pretty well. Another complaint is that the focus ring is easily moved out of focus when trying to zoom the lens. But I suspect this is only a personal problem given I have "Ball Park Frank" fingers. :D This is an ok lens and I would recommend it to a friend who shoots still objects, and/or portraits.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 12 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Rob B
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Great bargain!
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:May 22, 2012
For the price, this lens is a great bargain. Image quality is very good, though the loose build quality does allow dust intrusion if you're not careful. If you don't have triple the money to spend on L lenses, this one will do the job very well.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 13 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: shutterbug
Location: ILLINOIS
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Don't drop it !
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:November 28, 2011
Pros: zoom range, image stablizer but don't drop it.
Cons: center only sharp, edge fringe, is vibration repairs not per
When I first bought this lens in late 1990's, I love it. A few yrs. later, we dropped a Canon AE1 film camera ,the 28-135mm, & flash unit attached, from height of 4.5 ft...all needed repair.
A few wks. after repair the Image Stablizing feature started vibrating (Buzzing) and was sent back in at least 3 times...this problem will not stay fixed. and using the IS results in badly blured images....so we use it with out the IS.
MY POINT IS : IF YOU DROP THIS LENS IT MAY NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN REPAIR OR NOT.
Today 2011 we still use this lens with out the IS, but after putting my camera bag in an over head Airplane compartment, it now is getting stuck at the 35mm range and the 70mm zoom range...I think some one jammed their carry-on bag with wheels into the side on my Canon "padded" camera bag.
I am going to replace this lens with the 24mm-104mm and hope I get a sturdy one. I will miss the zoom of 135mm though. I am now using s 5D Mark 2 Digital (Full frame).
CONs....28 -135mm was only sharp in the center and had purple fringe on the edges with the digitals. I don't know if the age of my Lens would make this problem...I had this lens refurbished by Canon in the last 2 - 3 years.
A few wks. after repair the Image Stablizing feature started vibrating (Buzzing) and was sent back in at least 3 times...this problem will not stay fixed. and using the IS results in badly blured images....so we use it with out the IS.
MY POINT IS : IF YOU DROP THIS LENS IT MAY NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN REPAIR OR NOT.
Today 2011 we still use this lens with out the IS, but after putting my camera bag in an over head Airplane compartment, it now is getting stuck at the 35mm range and the 70mm zoom range...I think some one jammed their carry-on bag with wheels into the side on my Canon "padded" camera bag.
I am going to replace this lens with the 24mm-104mm and hope I get a sturdy one. I will miss the zoom of 135mm though. I am now using s 5D Mark 2 Digital (Full frame).
CONs....28 -135mm was only sharp in the center and had purple fringe on the edges with the digitals. I don't know if the age of my Lens would make this problem...I had this lens refurbished by Canon in the last 2 - 3 years.
14 of 49 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 14 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: jondoe4
Location: San Diego, CA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Good lens at a good price
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:November 16, 2011
Pros: quiet
Cons: none
I have been using this lens for over a year and haven't experienced any issues with it. Takes crisp pictures at all ranges. It's very quiet, you don't even notice it. Good for anybody and at a decent price.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 15 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: CognizantPhotos
Location: Miami
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Decent lens
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:September 11, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, budget lens
Cons: Semi-sharp images
If your on a budget its a good lens to start with, when you have adequate light its amazing. When it becomes low-light situations, might as well pack it up because its not worth it this lens is not suitable for it. Sold lens and got a 85mm and 24mm L, Primes are the best!
9 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 16 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Dinosaur Jr.
A Real Workhorse...
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 8, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, nice weight and feel
This lens probably gets the most use of all the lenses i own... the focal range and speed make it one of the best for shooting in just about any situation. it's got a good image stabilizer, is quick to auto focus, and is a good weight. i beat that poor lens to death, and it still keeps going!
11 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 17 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: sheckwel
Location: New York Ny
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Good but not Great
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:August 17, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images, light weight
Cons: lens creep
Great walk around lens for all purposes.
This lens goes wide and long, the 28-135mm focal lenght is nice, save for the 24-105mm f4 IS which cost almost three times.
The image quality is nice, the bokey is good but not great, the only Con of this lens is it s too creepy!
Canon should fix that!
This lens goes wide and long, the 28-135mm focal lenght is nice, save for the 24-105mm f4 IS which cost almost three times.
The image quality is nice, the bokey is good but not great, the only Con of this lens is it s too creepy!
Canon should fix that!
5 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 18 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: CanonPro
Location: NYC/WashDC/Paris
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
What Did You Expect?
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 19, 2011
Pros: sharp enough & dependable
Cons: slight barrel distortion
To all those that think this lens is worthless, I take issue. I'm a veteran photojournalist and many of my published pieces were made with this fantastic but low priced, feature loaded lens. What did you all expect for under $400 street price... diamond sharp images? I guess that since I can remember when lens formulations were so bad and soft my editors would always fall for my tall tales of dense fog, nearby mortar rounds, or diving from enemy fire, I see this lens as a God-send. It performs well enough, sharp enough, and if its lost in battle, or drops to the bottom of the sea, it's not a major dent in my wallet! Thank you Canon for making a low priced performer I can really depend on.
64 of 66 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 19 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Tphotographer
Location: Evansville, Indiana
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
clean contacts error
Overall Rating
Features
1
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
1
out of
5
Quality
1
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:July 7, 2011
Cons: unusable lens
From the moment I got this lens with my canon 7d I received a clean contacts error. I clean them and I can take anywhere from 1 to 15 photos and I get the error again. itried the lens on my rebel camera and the same thing happens. No amount of cleaning fixes this. Wish I had saved the dollars and bought the body only.
3 of 23 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 20 for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nickname: Caveman
Location: Monroe, LA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
great starter lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 7, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, price, range
I got this lens with my canon eos 50D. It is a great kit lens. It is built solidly and takes very good pictures. With the 50D's 1.6 sensor this lens is translates to 49-216mm so it's great for everyday shots and medium telephoto photography. This is no L series lens of course, but It takes good pictures and has enough zoom for everyday use. it has a nice build quality and focuses pretty quickly (some problems in low light, but that's expected). For the price you cant beat it, but If you already own a lens or have the cash to throw around buy an L series.
overall great starter lens. you get what you pay for.
29 of 31 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
