Canon EF 28 mm-80 mm F/3.5-5.6 Lens

One of the semi-forgotten facts of the camera industry since the 1950's has been the gradual evolution of the "zoom" lens. At first viewed with contempt, then suspicion, then acceptance, the "zoom" lense today is the dominate photographic optic in the business. To be sure, single focal length lenses remain, usually as specialized large aperture lenses on the wide angle end, and high powered,high priced, high end optics on the telephoto side. However, the vast majority of amatuer and professional photographers use zoom lenses. The Canon EF 35-80 f/4-5.6 is just one lense which helped win the battle. There is nothing particularly special about it. In fact, it's just another example of a plastic mount "kit" lense that was probably sold with on the early Canon Rebel series. However, in its own way it pushes the envelope. One of my Canon A cameras currently has a 35-70 FD lens on it. That was a "replace the 50mm normal" lens of its day. This one extends to 80mm, giving it a more acceptable "portrait tele" focal length. So with its all plastic construction , autofocusing and "safe" set of focal lengths--plus the simple fact that it works, this lense will do just fine on my EOS Elan. Of course, eventually wide to portrait length lenses would expand in range to the 24/28 to 105 lenses of today. Indeed,the best film camera lense I have is a 28-105 3.5-5.6 Canon EF II that still gives me good pictures. Now I can place one of its ancestors on the shelf beside it, on the very camera that was the ancestor of my Elan IIe and 7Ne.
Sadly, when I do serious photography now, I usually reach for my Canon G11. As for the rest of my Canon stuff, well, lets say it feeds my sense of the anachronistic, even in this brave new digital age.

I readily give this Lens an Excellent rating. But some Sound Logical thinking has to be with it. This is a Plastic Lens. Dust, Rain or Moisture and Dirt can get in and around the Zoom/Focus area and quickly work its way deep inside the lens case and eat away at it, and its not in a user maintence location. Otherwise, I strongly recommend the Ultrasonic series by Canon and this is the one we are rating today. The Ultrasonic Series is so much quieter than the standard lens. Ultrasonics come in several different sizes, including the 75-300mm that I use on my Camera. They are Quiet, Light weight and less likely to cause camera shaking. Auto Focus, ALL the Canon Features found on their other Lens, so If you are working with pets or outdoor animals, You will want the Ultrasonic Lens. Just fantastic. Great for Bird Watching Photographers too! Just keep the Lens and body clean and dry and you'll both be happy.
I Like them ! Highly Recommend them !

I purchased this lens with the idea that I could use it with both my Canon EOS A2 film body and with my Canon EOS 10D digital body. And it works out for me as I expected. This way I can increase my focal length capabilities and keep my cost of operation under control.

Best auto focus lens I've ever used. I can only compare it to Minolta A.F. lens but the Canon is lighter , faster, and quieter.

This is important to me because I hike a lot and need something light and quiet. I also have another Canon body for back-up. I have two Minolta 450 si's but I find them a little old fashioned compared to the Canon. However, the Minolta's have served me quite well and I do feel that they might hold up under rougher conditions such as falls and moisture. This remains to be seen.

I found this lens to be very good opticaly especially so considering it's price. The light weight proved to make this lens a very versital in the bag and on the camera. I recomend this lens to anyone who wants a good medium to telephoto zoom, that is very easy to use and take care of.