Trying to decide on a new lens...

[Colin]

I had the 28-135mm with the XT, and I actually liked it a lot.


I eventually opted to augment it with a wide angle zoom, the 16-35 f/2.8, though in retrospect, I would have saved the money and gone with the 17-40 f/4

[restlesscourage]

I did think about the 17-40mm, but I'm trying to keep my costs under $500 if I can...college student, need to save my money. :P

[Colin]

Well, the build quality isn't great, but for an affordable zoom lens, aside from not going very wide on a 1.6 crop factor camera, I think the 28-135 is a pretty decent lens. The only thing I really didn't like was the play in the barrel. You get a lot for your money, auto focus and reach and image stabilization. I do like the 24-105 more, but the $500 budget probably won't work with that, even on the used market.


Unfortunately, I've not done a direct comparison with the other lens you mention.

[restlesscourage]

Thanks for the input, Colin! In theory I do have enough money to buy the 24-105, but I'd have to pull from my savings to do so, and I really shouldn't do that.

[Colin]

Yes, you don't want to get into that habit, if you can help it.


Once you get one lens, you'll inevitably want another.


Nice to see wisdom in youth. I could borrow a little []

[Keith B]

When I first bought my 40D it was the kit with the 28-135. I actually got some really good sharp images out it. I wasn't crazy about the build quality, but I thought the images were very good.

[Colin]

I got a 28-200 for awhile, as a backup.


It really made me appreciate the 28-135.


I gave the 28-200 to my sister.