Lens advice please

[TheGreatSoprendo]

I'm relatively new to DSLR photography, and bought a Canon 400D last year which came with the 18-55mm kit lens. Since then I've added the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens which is great for portraits.

However, I'm keen to replace the kit lens, mainly because I find the amount of zoom available on it a little restrictive. I've been looking at the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 which sounds ideal and gets excellent reviews on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-Zoom-lens-3-5-5-6...

Does anybody have any experience of, or opinions on, this lens?
Any recommended places to buy?
I've seen a few of these for sale used on eBay which are obviously significantly cheaper. What are people's thought on buying used lenses? It obviously carries more risk, but I've contacted a couple of sellers and they've both reassured me that the lenses are in perfect working order with no marks, scratches or damage.

Any advice very much appreciated!

[Simpo Two]

I've purchased several second-hand lenses from eBay without problems - Sigma 70-200 f2.8, Nikkor Micro 60mm (which I later swapped with a PHer for a 105mm) and a Photex 80mm TS f2.8.

[oobster]

Simpo Two said:

I've purchased several second-hand lenses from eBay without problems - Sigma 70-200 f2.8, Nikkor Micro 60mm (which I later swapped with a PHer for a 105mm) and a Photex 80mm TS f2.8.

Me too - I bought a 17-85mm IS USM from eBay then a few months later a 28-135mm through eBay too, although the seller was a guy who posts on PH. I haven't had much chance to use the 28-135mm yet though as I bought a 100-400 L not long after & thats the one I've been mucking around with.

OP - if you decide you might want a 17-85mm then drop me a mail as I might sell mine.

[jon-]

Anecdotal I know, but a friend of mine with a fair chunk of L glass raves about the 28-135 for price/quality.

[beano500]

TheGreatSoprendo said:

What are people's thought on buying used lenses? It obviously carries more risk, but I've contacted a couple of sellers and they've both reassured me that the lenses are in perfect working order with no marks, scratches or damage.

At last count I think I have eight lenses secondhand, all but two from Fleabay, and one speedlight, a tripod, a ball head and a bag all off Fleabay.

Caveat Emptor - I don't go (normally****) near anyone who's not UK based and appears to actually have the item by posting pictures of the actual item and in some instances I have asked for the lens serial number (or at least the first digits of it). I don't trust anyone who hasn't got at least some sensible feedback - i.e. less than a dozen or so and for "likely similar items". I look for sensible reasons why someone wants to sell and whether they would be willing to let someone view the item (even if I have no intention of travelling to view).

I had one problem with a Speedlight - that was mostly my fault, since the guy selling turned out to not know a) what he was selling and b) that what he'd copied from another site included all the things in the box that he DIDN'T have. A suitable bit of grizzling from me and he coughed up for the bits and bobs anyway (Speedlight should come with stand, diffuser, filters, additional battery chamber, and soft bag - just to give you an idea.)

It really helps to research what you want. Research, research and more research. For example if you wanted "Lens A" you might research the years it was produced and the serial number series plus look carefully at all the pictures. Something like a Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 went through a series of changes to the external design and then became AF with changes and then became a "D" spec. If you know what you're looking for you can spot an external feature from the photos posted that is in conflict with the description. Also with "Lens B" you might know there are three different versions for year 200X and you'd be careful not to bid on the misassumption of it being a higher spec!



(***** I did buy a tripod head from the States)

[Lois]

Do you want to replace or get an additional lens?
I have the same 18-55 IS and also have the 55-250 IS. They go well together obviously just a little faffy to have to keep changing lenses.

[Dogsey]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

If you think changing lenses is "a little faffy" then why did you buy a DSLR? It's not exactly a hidden feature of them.

To the OP, I've just bought the Canon 15-85mm lens, it's a little more expensive than lenses mentioned earlier (approx. £550) but from early tests it does seem very good quality.

[Lois]

I'm hardly complaining. It just sounded like he was asking for a replacement rather than adding.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Which indeed I was... Looking for a replacement "walk-around" lens with a little more range than the 18-55mm. The 28-135mm sounds like a good option, so I'll keep an eye out for one on eBay (one sold today for £180-odd).

[Lois]

And would that be because having to change lenses all the time would be a "little bit faffy"?!

[TheGreatSoprendo]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

No comment.

I meant to say in my last post - thanks very much to everyone for your advice, it's much appreciated.

[Dogsey]

TheGreatSoprendo said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Which indeed I was... Looking for a replacement "walk-around" lens with a little more range than the 18-55mm. The 28-135mm sounds like a good option, so I'll keep an eye out for one on eBay (one sold today for £180-odd).

And a replacement was what I suggested.

TGS, if you're likely to be taking landscape shots then it's worth considering that the 28mm end of the lens you're looking will be a 35mm equivalent of approx. 45mm on your camera, not an ideal focal length. What do you photograph mainly? (Other than portraits obviously, you already have a very nice lens for them )

[Dogsey]

Quinny said:

I had a 28-135 for a while.... Its a reasonable lens, but just be aware, its quite hefty...

In fact its pretty bloody heavy for a walk about lens.... My next purchase is going to be a 15-85

, if it's good enough for Canon to offer it as the kit lens on the 7D then it's good enough for me - for now.

[Rob13]

is the 15-85 significantly better than the 17-85? Im looking to go wider at the moment and debating on the sigma 10-20 and the canon 10-22. The 40d kit lens has decent walk about range but i have noticed a massive difference when comparing it to the 50 1.8

[M-J-B]

oobster said:

Me too - I bought a 17-85mm IS USM from eBay then a few months later a 28-135mm through eBay too, although the seller was a guy who posts on PH. I haven't had much chance to use the 28-135mm yet though as I bought a 100-400 L not long after & thats the one I've been mucking around with.

OP - if you decide you might want a 17-85mm then drop me a mail as I might sell mine.

Hi Oobster - you bought it off me

I had the lens for a while and it's a cracking lens for the money. No problems with focus, seems sharp enough to me and as a general lens it does the job very well.

[M-J-B]

Quinny said:

I had a 28-135 for a while.... Its a reasonable lens, but just be aware, its quite hefty...

In fact its pretty bloody heavy for a walk about lens.... My next purchase is going to be a 15-85

Think that's heavy - you should try the 24-70 L

[jon-]

Quinny said:

M-J-B said:

Quinny said:

I had a 28-135 for a while.... Its a reasonable lens, but just be aware, its quite hefty...

In fact its pretty bloody heavy for a walk about lens.... My next purchase is going to be a 15-85

Think that's heavy - you should try the 24-70 L

I'd love one of those

But for real heft my 70-200 f2.8L takes some carrying

pfff



Ken Rockwell shoots it handheld with the IS set to OFF.

[oobster]

M-J-B said:

oobster said:

Me too - I bought a 17-85mm IS USM from eBay then a few months later a 28-135mm through eBay too, although the seller was a guy who posts on PH. I haven't had much chance to use the 28-135mm yet though as I bought a 100-400 L not long after & thats the one I've been mucking around with.

OP - if you decide you might want a 17-85mm then drop me a mail as I might sell mine.

Hi Oobster - you bought it off me

I had the lens for a while and it's a cracking lens for the money. No problems with focus, seems sharp enough to me and as a general lens it does the job very well.

Ah! It was indeed your good self

OP - have a look at the thread linked below for some sample pics with the 28-135mm lens. It's 30-odd pages though.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...

[M-J-B]

Quinny said:

M-J-B said:

Quinny said:

I had a 28-135 for a while.... Its a reasonable lens, but just be aware, its quite hefty...

In fact its pretty bloody heavy for a walk about lens.... My next purchase is going to be a 15-85

Think that's heavy - you should try the 24-70 L

I'd love one of those

But for real heft my 70-200 f2.8L takes some carrying

I have a 70-200 f2.8 as well - try carrying both around for a day