Comparison of 3 Canon Mid-Range Lenses
EF 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM EF 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM EF 28-70/2.8L USM
EF 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM EF 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM EF 28-70/2.8L USM

Each of these three lenses has certain desirable features unique among them; light weight, small size, focal length range, speed, sharpness, contrast, and image stabilization.  All 3 lenses use ring-USM, offer full-time manual focusing, and display distance scales.  Not so obvious "features" are filter size compatibility and hoods interchangeable with other lenses (the 28-70/2.8L and 70-200/2.8L hoods are very similar in size and shape).  Another consideration is focal length "overlap" with other lenses.

My intention here is to show my comparison of these 3 lenses (at varying focal lengths) for sharpness at maximum aperture and contrast/sharpness at f/8.  I used comparable telephoto zooms to supplement the "28-105" and the "L" lens for focal lengths beyond their range.
 

Comparison of three lenses:
  • EF 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM
    • ring-type USM (FTM)
  • EF 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM
    • ring-type USM (FTM)
    • moulded glass aspherical element
    • image stabilization
  • EF 28-70/2.8L USM
    • ring-type USM (FTM)
    • ground glass aspherical element
    • professional build quality
 Supplementary lenses (for comparisons beyond focal length range):
  • EF 70-210/3.5-4.5 USM (suppl. for EF 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM)
    • ring-type USM (FTM)

     
     
     
  • EF 70-200/2.8L USM (suppl. for EF 28-70/2.8L USM)
    • ring-type USM (FTM)
    • 4 UD glass elements
    • professional build quality

Comparison of Dimensions

Lens Constr. Diaphragm Min. Dist. Max. Mag. Filter Hood Dia. Len. Weight
EF 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM 15/12 7 (5) 0.5m 0.19 58 EW63-II 80 110
w/o hood 72.0 75.0 375gr
EF 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM 16/12 6 0.5m 0.19 72 EW78B-II 99 150
w/o hood 96.8 78.4 540gr
EF 28-70/2.8L USM 16/11 8 0.5m 0.18 77 EW83B-II 104 179
w/o hood 83.2 117 880gr
Information from 1999 Canon brochure CT2-1509-003, self-measured (in blue)
  • Constr.: number of elements/number of groups.
  • Diaphragm: number of diaphragm blades (number of blades for earlier version).
  • Min. Dist.: minimum focusing distance, in meters.
  • Max. Mag.: maximum magnification ratio (at stated focal length).
  • Filter: accessory filter thread diameter, in millimeters.
  • Hood: accessory hood (earlier versions do not have "-II" designation).
  • Dia.: hood diameter (in blue) and lens barrel diameter w/o hood, both in millimeters.
  • Len.: lens length (without caps) with hood mounted (in blue) and length without hood, both in millimeters.
  • Weight: lens weight w/o hood, in grams.

Maximum Apertures

Lens Dir. 3.5-4.0 4.0-4.5 4.5-5.6 3.5-4.0 4.0-4.5 4.5-5.0 5.0-5.6
EF 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM up 40 80 - 40 70 - -
down 35 70 - 35 65 - -
EF 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM up 40 50 85 40 50 65 90
down 35 45 70 35 45 60 70
Maximum aperture changes at specific focal lengths
  • Dir.: direction of focal length change.
  • focal lengths and changes in maximum aperture in black are with EOS-1N metering 1/2 stops
  • focal lengths and changes in maximum aperture in blue are with EOS-1N metering 1/3 stops
  • Examples:
    • 28-105 lens/up/3.5-4.0 = 40

      • when changing to longer focal lengths, the max aperture changes from f3.5 to f4.0 at about 40mm.
      (EOS 1N metering in 1/2 stops)
    • 28-135 lens/down/4.5-5.0 = 60

      • when changing to shorter focal lengths, the max aperture changes from f5.0 to f4.5 at about 60mm.
      (EOS 1N metering in 1/3 stops)

Close-up Details

Maximum Apertures Comparison of the 3 lenses at maximum apertures.  Focal lengths of 28, 50, 70, 105 and 135 are compared, distance to target is varied to keep target size constant.
Click here.
Comparisons at f/8.0 Comparison of the 3 lenses at f/8.  Focal lengths of 28, 50, 70, 105 and 135 are compared, distance to target held constant.
Click here.
Image Stabilization Comparison of Image Stabilization vs. tripod and mirror lock-up.
Click here.
Notes: click here.
Click images for detail pages
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