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Canon 28-105mm f/4-5.6 USM Lens
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The Worst Case Example Of A Lens "Upgrade" Gone WrongReview created: 29/04/07
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6 of 7 people found this review helpful.
This writer does not enjoy writing negative reviews. It is a lot more fun and rewarding to share the good news about an exceptionally well made product. However, this particular lens requires a few words of caution to potential shoppers.
I didn't own this lens for very long, so I can't provide you with a fully detailed review. Besides, if I were to supply a complete reporting of all of the specific details, I feel certain that this review would only be even less complimentary.
I was quickly aware that I was not very impressed with the performance of this Canon offering from the minute I mounted it on my camera. Fortunately, I was able to take it back and exchange it for a much better lens, and I am very glad I did!
The EF 28-105mm f/4-5.6 was a very poorly constructed, cheap feeling lens, even for the low price. The focus ring was very awkward to use without getting your fingers in the shot. The DC micro-motor AF drive system was reasonably fast and fairly quiet, but it wasn't even close the performance of the "Ring" type USM Ultrasonic system. However, I must admit that it was considerably quieter than the older Canon AF drives. The lens is very light, and that could be an advantage. In this case, it just feels "cheap". When fitted on a Digital SLR or a better EOS film camera, it makes the camera / lens combination feel like it is not well balanced. I'm not sure how to describe it, but let's say that it just isn't "comfortable".
Even with all of these shortcomings, the optics presented the most serious problems for me. This lens is just too slow for any kind of "available light" photography. Even at 28mm, other optical difficulties like barrel distortion and vignetting rise to a disturbing level. If you "stop down" or "zoom out" to try to alleviate some of these problems, the lens just gets even slower. The pictures I got were not sharp at all, especially toward the edges. Colours were a bit on the dull side and there was limited contrast range. What a downer, I know... but wait, THERE IS AN AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE!
The lens I switched to is a "pre-owned" Canon EF 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 USM. Now, this is a fantastic zoom. I truly believe that the "MACRO" version or the Japanese Mark II should be in every Canon EOS camera bag. It covers about 85% of the popular focal lengths that most people require, and it has proven to be totally reliable. Photos that I have taken with this model are very sharp and they have great colour saturation with excellent contrast. Just be cautious of the older model with the yellow flower symbol in place of the word "MACRO" on the barrel. This was the very first version (1992) and it has only 5 aperture blades, not the superior 7 blade aperture diaphragm of the newer ones.
A very nice used copy of the EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM can be found on eBay or at your local camera shop for about the same price as a new EF 28-105mm f/4-5.6. Finding one of these higher performance models "previously owned" is well worth the effort.
If you are shopping for a zoom lens in this focal range, I would recommend that you seriously consider skipping the Canon EF 28-105mm 1:4-5.6. If you can find your way clear to make the (not too painful) step up to the EF 28-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 USM, your eyes will thank you.
For additional details, read the "eBay Buyer's Guide" for these lenses.
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk
Copyright 2006 All rights reserved
I didn't own this lens for very long, so I can't provide you with a fully detailed review. Besides, if I were to supply a complete reporting of all of the specific details, I feel certain that this review would only be even less complimentary.
I was quickly aware that I was not very impressed with the performance of this Canon offering from the minute I mounted it on my camera. Fortunately, I was able to take it back and exchange it for a much better lens, and I am very glad I did!
The EF 28-105mm f/4-5.6 was a very poorly constructed, cheap feeling lens, even for the low price. The focus ring was very awkward to use without getting your fingers in the shot. The DC micro-motor AF drive system was reasonably fast and fairly quiet, but it wasn't even close the performance of the "Ring" type USM Ultrasonic system. However, I must admit that it was considerably quieter than the older Canon AF drives. The lens is very light, and that could be an advantage. In this case, it just feels "cheap". When fitted on a Digital SLR or a better EOS film camera, it makes the camera / lens combination feel like it is not well balanced. I'm not sure how to describe it, but let's say that it just isn't "comfortable".
Even with all of these shortcomings, the optics presented the most serious problems for me. This lens is just too slow for any kind of "available light" photography. Even at 28mm, other optical difficulties like barrel distortion and vignetting rise to a disturbing level. If you "stop down" or "zoom out" to try to alleviate some of these problems, the lens just gets even slower. The pictures I got were not sharp at all, especially toward the edges. Colours were a bit on the dull side and there was limited contrast range. What a downer, I know... but wait, THERE IS AN AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE!
The lens I switched to is a "pre-owned" Canon EF 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 USM. Now, this is a fantastic zoom. I truly believe that the "MACRO" version or the Japanese Mark II should be in every Canon EOS camera bag. It covers about 85% of the popular focal lengths that most people require, and it has proven to be totally reliable. Photos that I have taken with this model are very sharp and they have great colour saturation with excellent contrast. Just be cautious of the older model with the yellow flower symbol in place of the word "MACRO" on the barrel. This was the very first version (1992) and it has only 5 aperture blades, not the superior 7 blade aperture diaphragm of the newer ones.
A very nice used copy of the EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM can be found on eBay or at your local camera shop for about the same price as a new EF 28-105mm f/4-5.6. Finding one of these higher performance models "previously owned" is well worth the effort.
If you are shopping for a zoom lens in this focal range, I would recommend that you seriously consider skipping the Canon EF 28-105mm 1:4-5.6. If you can find your way clear to make the (not too painful) step up to the EF 28-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 USM, your eyes will thank you.
For additional details, read the "eBay Buyer's Guide" for these lenses.
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk
Copyright 2006 All rights reserved
Review ID: 10000000003446152
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