Would this lens be a significant upgrade from a Canon 17-135 IS STM?
1813610
Yes the image quality is much better. This lens is over all sharper and has a much better build quality. I own and use this lens on my Canon 70D.
1813611
The Canon "18-135" IS STM is a OK to Good lens for Video because of the STM. But for Stills it is just OK. There's not a perfect lens out there. I don't buy kit lenses, cause for a little more $$ you get better lenses. BUT, you have to ask yourself, will you change lenses back and forth ? From long zooms/telephoto primes and back to short/medium zooms or primes ? OR, do you like leaving one lens on, or you just don't have a bunch of lenses to switch back & forth. The Sigma starts at 17mm the Canon at 18mm both have barrel distortion, but from 24mm to 70mm, yes the Sigma is better than the Canon, but the Canon has a longer reach to 135mm. DXO Labs has this new Sigma 17-70 Contemporary lens at almost the same numbers/performance as the $1100 Canon 17-55 f/2.8 ! That's how good this lens is. BUT, how well they do on Video Dslr cameras, I don't know ? Hope this helps.
1398394
I'd say yes. You can look up a nice comparison in YouTube by thatnikonguy (matt granger) whew he looks at the canon, tamron, and Sigma equivalents in the 70 to 200 range. The tamron held up very well
916478
I was looking at the 28-135 for my Rebel xti....let me know how you like once you get a chance to try it out.
1431799
Nope, just make sure you buy the version for Canon and be away that it's a manual lens(no AF)
943019
I have used the 17-55 canon and own the Sigma 17-50, use it all the time, very sharp! You will love it, it is my walk around lens.
1749215
Nope.STM will not add anything to your existing setup.The STM support has been added to cameras from T4i onwards so at least you need to have T4i to take advantage ofthe STM feature and silent autofocus etc.
689822
Nope. The "S" in "EF-S" tells you it's for APSC cameras only not full frame. It's for SL-1, The Rebels, 7D, and the XXd series like the 70D. The STM version of this lens is very nice, quite sharp. Its silent operation is what you want for video.
794474
The new STM lens is an inch shorter and adds a zoom lock and instant manual-focus override to the older 18-135mm EF-S IS lens, however manual focus is electronic. The focus ring isn't connected to anything, and there is a tiny time delay between when you move the ring and the lens moving. Another huge improvement from the older 18-135mm EF-S IS is that the zoom range from 24mm to 18mm has been spread-out on the zoom ring, so it's much easier to set precise wide-angle framing. On the old lens, it was very cramped at the wide end.
410989
Thanks for the information. I was using a Canon 28-135 IS USM as my walk around travel lens and loved it until it got stolen in an airport! :-( Now I'm in the market for a new lens and I'm leaning towards the Tamron. I've used their lens in my past photography life with my old AE-1 Program and I'd LOVE the 18-270 if I can swing the $$$. I'm hunting eBay as well, as that's where I got my 28-135 and had NO problems with it at all!
956489
I would go with the 18/135 lense . Have had both , 18 is newer , better technology , wider and lighter . Pictures are outstanding
2080458
It works fine on my Canon EOS 70D just fine, which came with 18-135mm STM lens, so it should be fine with SL1
1170784
I have the same dilemna. However, I am currently thinking that the 28-135mm is better suited on the basis that it is USM and therefore quicker to focus. I've had non-USM lenses before which tend to aimlessly go back and forth trying to focus when shooting in normal to low light. Since you have an APS-C rather than full frame camera, the 28-135 is equivalent to a 45mm-216mm which to me is enough zoom since I am not into sport photography. Hope this helps
1150129
Thanks for your thoughts, Ken; I own the 24-105mm f/4L, but am looking for the best option for the extra focal length that makes portraits and candids really pop! As far as I can tell, even though the 200mm f/2.8 is well-built, people seem to have an almost religious zeal for the 135mm, making it all the more attractive.
119686
The STM (step motor) lens--hell yes. Even without the step motor it would be worth it. It's an excellent lens. Auto Focus is quick and virtually silent. I've taken shots in the dark, no flash, ISO 12800 with extremely low noise with this lens. It's amazing.
1150127
i have both of these lenses and i have to say both are extremely sharp even wide open. i've used the 135/2 more often than the 200/2.8 because i mainly used it as portrait and candid pics. i've enjoy both of these lenses personally and really preferred prime lens over zoom.
501123
Congrats on the nice lens! I have the 17-85. It's better than my 18-55, but I would love to get the 17-55 someday. Heck, I'd like to get a lot of different lenses someday! But being completely new to dslr, I think what I have now will suffice until I get going.
1413084
You lose very little with this lens vds 70-200. The gain is the extra reach and wide angle, it a major upgrade. Having said that , and given the high $$$, I'd wait for the new model. New Model? I suspect so. Everyone, including Canon, is 'out-of-stock'. Couple that with Canon's receent announcment (July 2009) that they have a new IS that will be in 'interchangable' lenses by the end of 2009, it is not a surprise they stopped producing the 28-300mm so they could clear out the stock.I use the XTi- 40D and now the 5D mark II. The glass makes the picture.