SHUTTER JOURNEY SINGAPORE

* picture: Canon EF 28-80mm F/3.5-5.6 II

If you surf the net, you would have came across numerous articles about this lens. Made as a "cheapo" kit lens (1999 mass consumer market), the "plasticky" build is very similar to the current kit zoom lens the EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS. Now you know where the lens designers took the cue from. Of the famous 3 "cheapo" range (and their Mark II & Mark III versions), the EF 35-80mm series, EF 28-80mm series & EF-S 18-55 series, I would safely say this EF 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 II is definitely not the worst here. I own all 3 series and felt that the worst are the 35-80mm series. The plastics are similar to those made-in-God-knows-where cheap plastic toys and they simply looked too fragile to be used as a lens!

* picture: Canon EF 28-80mm F/3.5-5.6 II

On IR, hotspotting is random. Not sure if this is caused by flares from the sun (not using any filter and without a hood), but the photos are definitely more consistant than the EF 35-80mm which I tested for IR and it didn’t performed too well and hotspotting were too often on photos.

However, all is not lost, like every other Canon’s cheaper kit lenses, this lens needs a little understanding from the photographer to be put to good use. Now you know (too) why Canon kit lenses are known as "good beginner lenses" – it made the photographer learn the limitations of the lens and forced the user to work around its flaws. I have seen photos that were shot with kit lenses, some will even shamed professionals.

Sometimes, it’s the user, really.

* picture: Canon EF 28-80mm F/3.5-5.6 II

What I Hate:
– No Distance Scale Meter.
– Focusing is not very fast.
– Hood not supplied.
– Inconsistent results.
– Plastic mount.

*Picture Source Internet.

As expected from a L-Series EF Lens, the lens body construction are solid metal, the finishing looks luxurious indeed with a weather-proofed compound – great feature but I found the body coating to be attracting lots of fingerprints. (Ha Ha Ha). This is one heavy lens (950g), very heavy and huge. However, it covers the most effective range for most photography needs when used on my 5D Mark II. On my 350D-IR & 500D, the range increased to 38-110mm which still makes a good walkabout range. (But be warned, when mounted on a cropped body like the XXXD & XXXXD series, the body looks ridiculously small, but looks balanced on XXD series). when mounted with the supplied petal-like hood, this lens looks even larger than life and you may wish to hold on to your lens when you are walking about as someone may accidentally hit your lens + camera combo and get hurt. (Just kidding!)

* picture:  EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM.

On the down side, those looking for a “All-Rounder” lens will discover the “Macro” printed on the lens body does not really gives you good magnification capability, but instead, now you have a super zoom that allows you to focus nearer to your subject. Enough have been said about this lens. Since this is the fastest zoom lens in the whole of Canon’s EF & L-Series lens, you know the rest of the story. 

* picture:  EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM. (When mounted with the supplied hood)

* picture:  EF 28mm F2.8.

The EF 28mm F2.8 is a cute & petite lens. Constructed in full metal, the lens felt purposeful when I held it for the first time and it actually feels good. I got a little irritated with the focusing motor which came in the form of AFD (Arc Form Drive Motor). This motor is known for its "squeals" during focusing. Noisy it may be, it worked well and focusing is faster than most AFD powered lens. The focusing ring (right behind the Distance Scale meter) near the front element feels a little out of place and a little thin to be used comfortably. Overall build quality is excellent.

The real test came when I fixed the EF 28mm F2.8 on my 350D-IR and went for a nature walk. (IR Photography revolves around nature) This lens performed well in IR with no hotspotting except the occasional odd photo. (Took 100+ photo and 5 were found with Hotspot) I blamed the lack of a hood that could have probably caused the hotspot effect. Other wise, this would have been a top IR Compatible EF lens. Those photos that turned out well were full of colors and contrast were well controlled. The photos are sharp and beautiful. I will recommend this lens to anyone who are starting out at Infra Red Photography or looking to buy their 2nd Prime lens (usually after the 50mm F1.8 II). Trust me, the EF 28mm F2.8 is a really decent lens to invest in.

* picture:  EF 35-80mm F4-5.6.II.

The first version was launched as a kit lens for EOS 1000FN SLR in 1992. Now at its 3rd & last incarnation (Mark III), this 1995 lens saw the product line through the transition period of "Digital SLR Evolution" and the arrival of EOS 10D, EOS 300D and EOS 1D. Featuring a full plastic construction (except the glass elements), you can’t really expect much from a lens made this cheap. After all if you surf the net for information about this lens, it is commonly known as the "SLR" lens, but compatible with EF mounts so all the newer DSLR can still use it. The lens do not have a Distance Scale (probably to save production cost) and there are only 3 focal length stops (35mm, 50mm & 80mm). This is indeed a simple lens. Simple to build & simple to use. The image quality of the photos from this lens are soft and lack contrast when used on my digital bodies like 500D & 5D Mark II. I attribute this to the purpose of this lens which is built and calibrated for use with Film Bodies, so it does not work that well on digital bodies. If you have a more sensible explanation to that, please email and share with me.

* picture:  EF 35-80mm F4-5.6.II.

I bought this used lens below SGD$100 (inclusive of the service fees, new caps and filter) and it is a good piece of lens to keep as a collectors’ item or you can use this lens as a "Soft Focus Lens".  (Think dreamy portraits of people) I take it out once in a blue moon for walking about shoots. Not my first choice lens in any situation. Now you get the drift.