Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Its built-in Image Stabilizer and ring-type USM provide sharp, silent autofocus with full-time manual override across a versatile 28-135mm range. The lens weighs just 18.9 ounces and focuses as close as 20 inches, making it a lightweight, discreet option for handheld shooting in dim museums or events. This lens suits budget-conscious photographers seeking a single, do-it-all stabilized zoom for travel and everyday documentation, rather than those needing wide apertures for portraiture.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is a budget-friendly full-frame zoom with excellent autofocus and solid stabilization. The aperture is painfully slow and bokeh is basically nonexistent, but for under $300 it's a great all-purpose starter lens. If you can find one at the low end of the price range, it's worth grabbing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Autofocus is fast, quiet, and near the top of our database. 93rd
- Image stabilization genuinely helps in low light. 93rd
- Versatile 28-135mm range covers a lot of shooting situations. 82nd
- Great value on the used market, often under $300. 79th
Cons
- Aperture is painfully slow, one of the worst we've seen.
- Bokeh is basically a rumor at this point.
- Lens barrel extends under its own weight when pointed down.
- No weather sealing, so keep it dry.
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
The proof
Performance
Autofocus is the star here. The ring-type USM motor sits in the 94th percentile in our database, which means it's fast, quiet, and gives you full-time manual focus override without flipping a switch. The Image Stabilizer is also solid, landing in the 81st percentile, and owners consistently mention how much it helps in dim light. Optically it's middle of the pack at the 65th percentile. Sharp enough for most uses, but don't expect L-series bite. The aperture is where it really shows its age. At f/3.5-5.6, this lens sits in the 8th percentile for aperture, which is rough. You'll be cranking ISO indoors, and the bokeh is basically non-existent at the 5th percentile. Portrait work scores a weak 32.4 out of 100, so if you want creamy backgrounds, this isn't your lens.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 28 |
| Focal Length Max | 135 |
| Elements | 16 |
| Groups | 12 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/28 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | USM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 508 |
vs Competition
Stacked against something like the Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD, the Canon gives up a lot of reach but wins on autofocus speed and price. The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is sharper and faster, but it's crop-sensor only and doesn't have the same zoom range. The Sony E SEL18135 is a more modern all-rounder with better optics, but you're paying for it. The Canon's real advantage is that it's cheap, full-frame compatible, and the autofocus still holds up against lenses that cost way more. If you're on an EF body and want one lens to do most things, this is a solid budget pick.
| Spec | Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 28-135mm | 28-300mm | 17-40mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 16-85mm |
| Max Aperture | f/28 | f/4 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 540 | 590 | 535 | 306 | 326 | 485 |
| AF Type | USM | VXD linear motor | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Autofocus | Linear motor | AF-S |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | 93.1 | 5.5 | 45.8 | 54 | 65.2 | 7.8 | 81.8 | 92.6 | 69.1 | 79.3 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.6 | 62.8 | 83.3 | 96.3 | 71 | 92.2 | 97.9 | 50.5 | 79.3 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 53.9 | 97 | 66.9 | 72.2 | 96.6 | 95.4 | 98.3 | 75.7 | 94.1 | 34.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 86.7 | 83.7 | 49 | 86.1 | 88.3 | 92.2 | 80.5 | 86.1 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.3 | 70.8 | 37.4 | 78 | 82.8 | 47.9 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 Compare | 53.9 | 81.3 | 54.7 | 63.1 | 67.4 | 82.8 | 81.8 | 94.1 | 90.7 | 92.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Pricing is all over the place right now. We're seeing listings from $289 to $499 in the US, which is a $210 spread. That's a huge gap for a lens this old. If you can snag one near the $289 mark, it's a steal. At $499, you're getting into territory where newer lenses with better optics start to make more sense. The sweet spot is definitely the lower end of that range. For a full-frame stabilized zoom with this kind of autofocus, under $300 is hard to beat.
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Overview
The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is one of those lenses that just keeps hanging around, and for good reason. It's a full-frame standard zoom with a genuinely useful range, ring-type USM autofocus, and Canon's older but still effective Image Stabilizer. At 540g it won't break your shoulder, and the 72mm filter thread means you can share filters with a bunch of other Canon glass.
It's not a modern lens by any stretch. The aperture range is slow, the design dates back to the film era, and there's no weather sealing. But for someone who wants one lens that covers a lot of ground without spending a fortune, this thing still makes a strong case for itself.
Common Questions
Q: Is this lens good for portraits?
Not really. The f/3.5-5.6 aperture is slow, and our database puts it in the 8th percentile for aperture and 5th for bokeh. You won't get much background blur, so look elsewhere if portraits are your main focus.
Q: Does the image stabilization work well?
Yes, it's one of the lens's strongest features. It sits in the 81st percentile in our database, and owners consistently report sharper handheld shots in low light without needing a tripod.
Q: Will this lens work on a full-frame camera?
Yes, it's a Canon EF mount lens with full-frame coverage. It works on both full-frame and APS-C Canon DSLRs, though the effective focal length changes on crop bodies.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you shoot portraits, need fast glass for low light, or want weather sealing. The aperture is one of the slowest we've seen, and the bokeh is nearly non-existent. If you're on a crop-sensor body, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is a sharper, faster alternative. And if you're paying anywhere near $499, you're better off saving a bit more for something modern.
Verdict
This is a great starter lens or a cheap walkaround option for someone on an EF body. The autofocus and stabilization punch above the price, and the zoom range is genuinely useful for travel and everyday shooting. It's not a portrait lens, it's not a low-light monster, and it's not weather sealed. But if you know what you're getting into, it delivers a lot of value. Beginners and enthusiasts on a budget will be happy. Pixel peepers and bokeh lovers should keep walking.
