Oldie but goodie?

[ik631]

I went to a garage sale advertising Canon lenses and found a EF 35-135mm f/4-5.6 USM for $35. I figured how could I go wrong for the price? After searching far and wide I could find almost nothing about this lens and nothing on DPS about it. I was hoping it would be a step up from the 18-55 kit since it at least had a ring USM motor and would be used as an outside walkaround lens. Does anyone have any experience with it? What problems might it does it have other than its not that fast?

[OsmosisStudios]

It's an interesting focal length. On a crop sensor that's sort of a 55-200 equivalent, which is kinda cool. Slow aperture, but could be fun.

[SwissJon]

For $35 get it, try it. if you don't like it, stick it on fleabay.. You're unlikely to lose out on it.

[ik631]

I ran it through some of its paces over the weekend at a farm and was pleased with the results. It was sharp up until about 120 and became very soft wide open at 135. A lack of IS probably also contributed to the problem as I am not that steady. The FTM focusing was a great step up from the kit lenses and the focal length was perfect for a crop sensor while trying to keep up with the kids playing outside. I wasn't in their faces and didn't need to change lenses. It seems the 18-55 is always just a little too short. I realised the best part of the lens was when I watched a guy at the muddy Billy Goat Mountain slide take a dive with over $10k worth of gear in hand and backpack slide down the muddy hill. I don't care if it's weather sealed or not a mud covered camera isn't fun. It was the weight of his L lenses that pulled him over and covered him and his gear. I was pretty happy with my little expendable $35 lens that day.
The muddy hill:

[Krusty79]

What is that kid on the right doing?

Originally Posted by ik631

I went to a garage sale advertising Canon lenses and found a EF 35-135mm f/4-5.6 USM for $35. I figured how could I go wrong for the price? After searching far and wide I could find almost nothing about this lens and nothing on DPS about it. I was hoping it would be a step up from the 18-55 kit since it at least had a ring USM motor and would be used as an outside walkaround lens. Does anyone have any experience with it? What problems might it does it have other than its not that fast?

There's a reason is it's $35. You get what you pay for.

[ArmySoldier777]

Great find there. I know you mentioned it's very soft wide open at 135, but even at it's softest it looks just as good as the kit lens. Of course we're not looking at side-by-side examples. But I think you got more than $35 worth here.

If you ever get the time, you should do a controlled comparison between both lenses at 50mm. I'm just curious as to what the results would be


David

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

What is that kid on the right doing?

Planting a booby trap I think.. The next kid down is the school bully!

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Planting a booby trap I think.. The next kid down is the school bully!

Those IEDs are dangerous everywhere!

[ishootRAW]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Planting a booby trap I think.. The next kid down is the school bully!

Claymores for the win!!!!!!


Well it may not be the best lens. Its still good to keep around. I have a sigma 18-200 I got for free. Never used it (because its crap) until...... I went to Montana and ended up shooting in a blizzard. Screwed the lens, but hell who cares.