28-135 IS USM soft at zoom extremes?

[hector_evans]

I have the 28-135 IS which I use with my 400D. I noticed that it is very soft at zoom extremes, especially at 28-

35mm. Is this something I should expect of this lens, or should I look for the fault somewhere else?

 

thanks

[adam_gifford]

I have this lens on a 300D and I haven't noticed anything like that. Do you have any example pictures that demonstrate what you are seeing? I've mostly been frustrated by 28mm not being wide at all on a crop camera :)

[ralph_jensen]

The 28-135 is one of Canon's most underrated lenses IMHO, a very solid performer. Though nothing close to a prime at zoom extremes, it is supposed to be pretty good in the 28-35 range. So "very soft" seems not right on a crop camera like the 40D.

 

Best thing to do is read non-photo-magazine tests and see whether their experience differs from yours:

 

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-28-135mm-f-3.5-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

 

http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/Canon%20EOS%20Lens%20Tests/45-canon-eos-aps-c/190-canon-ef-28-135mm-f35-56-usm-is-test-report--review

[charlesking]

I've used this lens for a couple of years, and it does tend towards softness at the edges when wide open, but I have to look for it and it's often not noticeable. It's really a medium-to-long zoom on a crop camera.

[tommyinca]

Its normal. This lens is softer at 135mm f5.6. My copy is good at 28mm with a little of softness at full frame corners.

[g dan mitchell]

No zoom will be equally "sharp" at all focal lengths, especially at the largest apertures.

[tdigi]

I did not care for the lens in question. I know many people think very highly of it but I thought the photo quality was just

average at best.

[dan_hall4]

Stop it down a bit and see if that helps. Try the f/8 to f/11 range. I had one and got some great shots with it. Also, be sure to use a tripod. That helped me more than anything. The 28-135 is a very capable lens.