28-70 f2.8 vs. 28-135 f3.5 ~ f5.6

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I currently have a 28-70 but keep eyeballing the 28-135. It will be mostly used on a D30 or some other digital in the future. Would anyone sugest getting rid of the 28-70 for the 28-135. Future purchases include a 28 f1.8 and a 50 1.4 no matter which lens I keep. I think alot of the trouble is luging around the heavier 28-70. Any advice or experience would be appriciated. Thanks in advance

John

-- john (mr.-n-mrs.g@att.net), March 15, 2002

Answers

Well, what sort of photography do you do? Do you value the fast speed of the 2.8? Are you in situations where the weight of the 2.8 is a problem or do you just do studio stuff with tripods? The type of photography you do should answer your own question.

Though actually, on second thought I have a better idea - I think you should buy the 28-135 and donate the 28-70 to a worthy cause. (ie: me. Email me for address info!)

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), March 15, 2002.


Dang, NK beat me to the last suggestion :-)

If I won the lottery, I'd add the 28-70 (among others) to my existing collection, which includes the 28-135, but I suspect I'd use the 28-135 more due to its range and IS. But there's no single correct answer as to which one is the more appropriate lens - for some people, it's the 28-70 with its superior optics and fast aperture; for others, it's the 28-135 with its better range, IS, and modest size/weight advantage.

See also http://www.kjsl.com/~dave/lenstest/lenstest.html

-- Steve Dunn (steved@ussinc.com), March 15, 2002.


Sorry here is a little more detail. I used to like the speed but with a D30 I can easily compensate for 100-400 asa between shots. The 28- 70 was my numero uno for everything when I used film and Nikon. Now the length is somewhat lacking plus walking around with this huge lens {plus hood} adds to the problem. And optical quality is important of course but most work would be 8X10 or 11X14 inkjets. For speed a 50 1.4 and a 28 1.8 are in the near future. A 16-35 f2.8 and a 70-200 f2.8 sit on either end. So just looking to do some adjusting.

-- john (mr.-n-mrs.g@att.net), March 15, 2002.

Get those primes you mentioned, plus the 70-200 and you'll be set.

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), March 15, 2002.

The 28-135 IS is large and heavy... its main benefit over the 28-70/2.8L is price and additional focal length. See my web page

-- Dave Herzstein (dherzstein@juno.com), March 15, 2002.


The 28-135 IS is large and heavy? Not compared to the 28-70/2.8L! Switching from the 28-70/2.8L to a 28-135 IS, you would actually be going down in weight and size, and by a lot.

Consider the dimensions (DxL) and weight:

Canon 28-70/2.8L: 3.3"x4.6", 880g

Canon 28-135IS: 3.1"x3.8:, 540g

-- Peter Phan (pphan01@hotmail.com), March 16, 2002.


I have owned both the 28-70 2.8 and the 28-135is and now have just the 28-70 2.8, If I need more focal lenght I switch to my 70-200 2.8 I have found this combination more than sufficiant. Now add a 100- 400is to your arsenal and you will have three great lenses to work with.

-- Les Maynard (lmaynard@rochester.rr.com), March 16, 2002.

John,

Don't do it. I own the D30 and the 28-135IS. As you know the D30 produces softer images compared to CCD cameras because of it's CMOS sensor. The 28-135IS is a soft lens, too. If you think the 28-70 is to heavy and you don't need f2.8 go for the 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM. Small, sharp, nice. Or take a look at the 24-85/3.5-4.5 USM which gives you 4mm extra wide angel!

Best, Martin

-- MartinH (mh-photo@chello.at), March 18, 2002.


I will trade with you. I have 28-135IS but I need to be able to shoot inside without flash (2.8). Otherwise I wouldn't even consider getting rid of mine 28-135IS. It'slovely piece of equipment Wojtek

-- Wojtek (wojtek@tryc.ca), April 13, 2002.

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