Canon EF 28mm lens

Canon Inc. has produced two different 28 mm lenses for its Canon EF lens mount. Both are currently still available. When used on a digital EOS body with a field of view compensation factor of 1.6x, such as the Canon EOS 450D, it provides a narrower field of view, equivalent to a 45 mm lens mounted on a 35 mm frame body. With a 1.3x body such as the Canon EOS-1D Mark III It provides a less narrow field of view, equivalent to an 36 mm lens mounted on a 35 mm frame body. Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 lens, introduced September 1995. Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 lens, introduced April 1987.

Cheapest price: $200
(across 1 store)
Killer w Cropped Sensor

26/06/2010

I used this lens w a Canon 10D cropped sensor lens. The combination was killer. I took so many wonderful images. The images were sharp, full of contrast, w beautiful color. Did I mention inexpensive, small and light weight. Maybe I was lucky? Eventually, I gave my 10D w this lens to my son.

Maybe I never used the lens on a full sized sensor camera. I am considering buying another copy w an APS Canon such as a Rebel XSi as a walk around travel camera.

Note that this is a very simple lens design w relatively few pieces of glass between the subject and the sensor.
IMO, not fair to expect too much in optical performance such as edge to edge sharpness on a full sensor camera.

On the other hand, I am a prime lens photographer and I believe that lenses with fewer glass elements are preferable and lenses with too many glass elements, as "perfect" their design and construction might be, do not escape "optically unscathed".
Others will disagree. That is my opinion, based on my personal experience and perception.

By Henry D. Friedman
Syracuse NY
10/10
A Really Good Choice for a Budget 28mm Lens

06/03/2010

I like my Canon EFS 60mm f2.8 USM better, but this 28mm f2.8 lens is easily equal to it (just noisier focusing). With both lenses the colors, contrast, and sharpness are excellent. I prefer the 60mm lens only because getting up close, without actually getting up close, is more comfortable for me, and I think people are more relaxed when there is space between them and the camera. But when I'm shooting in a crowded space, indoors or outdoors, this little lens earns its keep. I wouldn't want to be without it. I also like my super-cheap Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. It too is very sharp for a budget lens. I wish they had made that 50mm the kit lens that came with my camera. I guess that was a marketing decision - thinking that a zoom lens would impress more potential buyers.

My camera is the 12.2MP XSi and I can't afford L-Series lenses. I'm an amateur on a limited budget. But, with these three lenses, and my Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II printer, I can print startlingly sharp images up to 13X16". The prints are especially sharp when shooting in RAW format. Cheap Class 6 32GB secure memory cards are now available so storage of large RAW photographs is no longer a burden. With all this, I can't justify purchasing a more expensive camera or purchasing L-series lenses.

Actually, when shooting people up close, sharpness is of lesser importance - after a certain point. I also use the Canon EF-S zoom 55-250mm IS lens. In very crowded outdoor events (like town festivals and sporting events) this lens reaches out into the crowds to catch people in the act of being themselves. Setting the camera to Portrait softens the complexions of the subjects - making them look better in my photographs than they do in life. Also, when I increase the ISO setting I can get cool shots of athletes in action. I especially like this lens because of the Image Stabilizer. With it I can shoot at its extreme length without needing a tripod or mono-pod.

I'm very happy with my choice of cameras and with my lens collection - except for the kit lens that came with the camera. I guess it's okay, but it lacks that certain something that would make me want to use it. Being a zoom lens is about all it has going for it.

It may seem that I have gone too far off the subject. I did this because I figured that anyone in the market for a budget 28mm Canon lens might benefit from a broader view of what to buy now, and what to buy in the future. I can't help that I'm a talkative and opinionated old geezer.

By WILLIAM MCLEAN
Medford, OR USA
10/10
Awesome

09/06/2009

I bought this lens some time ago and have taken several photos with it since then. I can assure you that despite this lens is quite inexpensive and made maily of cheap plastic, it produces wonderful photos! Sharp on all four cornes! Do not buy that Canon 50mm lens if you have a 1.6 crop factor camera such as Canon Xti or Canon 40D because it will become a 80mm! This Canon AF 28mm F/2.8 on a 1.6 crop factor Camera is actually a 44mm and will do the job much better. It is very light and fast. I really enjoy to connect this little lens to my Canon 40D and go around the city capturing all that I find Interesting. The ony thing I would say against this lens is that it is not a USM lens what means that the auto focus is a little slow sometimes however, for the price it is what you get and I really do not not care to wait a few seconds more for the focus mecanism to lock on the subject of my photo. I RECOMMEND THIS LENS! IT IS A JOY IN MY LIFE AND AN EXCELLENT TOOL... FOR PROFESSIONALS AND AMATEURS....

By Marcio Jose Bastos Silva
Vermont, USA
10/10
Sufficient quality and decently fast, but noisy

03/04/2009

I have been happy with this lens so far, using it on a Canon 30D body. The glass is decent quality, without any significant vignetting. It's not particularly wide angle, due in part to the 1.3 magnification factor on the 30D, so not great for getting the full room at a party for instance, but works well for landscapes and such.

My only complaint with it is the noise when focusing, which is significant, and can be distracting if you're shooting a wedding or conference where noise is an issue.

By Peter Pallock
San Antonio, TX USA
8/10
Great price...almost as good lens.

31/12/2007

Great price for this 2.8 lens if you do a lot of architectural work. On a crop factor body (I used it on a 30D and 40D), it produces virtually no distortion. Only gripes are that is focuses slow and noisy.

By B. Jaber
San Jose, CA United States
8/10