EOS Documentation Project

EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

by Gary Fisher

Contents

• Introduction

  Parts  Description  Features 

• Operation

  Mounting  Removal  Manual Zoom  Manual Focus  Auto Focus  Full Time Manual Focus  Aperture  Image Stabilizer 

• Accessories

  Lens Cap  Hood  Filters  CloseUp  Teleextender  Extension Tubes  Case 

• Incompatibilties

  EF-M body  EOS bodies  APS bodies  Flash  Tripod 

• Precautions
• Lens Care

  Storage  Service 

• Specifications

  Released  Dimensions  Weight  Filter Mount  Optics  Focus mechanism  Rotating Filter Mount  Focus Range  Autofocus Motor  Full Time Manual  Focal Length  Magnification  Angle of view  Aperture blades  Aperture Range  Image Stabilizer 

• Revision History
• Comments

Introduction

Parts

              Click above images to view larger versions
From front to back: Front lens cap; 72mm filter thread; bayonet fitting for lens hood; Zoom ring; Focusing ring; Distance scale in ft and m; f11 and f22 Depth of Field marks; IR focus adjust marks for 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm and 135mm; AF/M lens mode switch; IS on-off switch; Raised Red Dot for lens-to-camera alignment; EF Camera mount (metal); Rear lens cap.

Description

This lens is a general purpose standard-range zoom lens with autofocus and electronic diaphragm for use on Canon EOS series cameras.   The lens can zoom from wide angle to short/medium telephoto and can be used for general photography. This lens incorporates an Image Stabilizer function, which is what the letters IS stand for in the lens title. The IS function reduces the effects of camera movements and shake, which is a common cause of blurred photographs. IS allows the taking of usable photographs at slower shutter speeds than may otherwise be possible. The lens features an Utrasonic Motor (the USM in the lens title), which provides quick silent autofocusing capabilities. There are two types of USM motors; this lens features ring type USM, which also allows for full time manual focusing without the need to change into manual focusing mode on the lens.

Features

This lens focuses using the inner/rear lens elements. The front elements do not move during focusing and the front element and inner lens barrel are stationary during focusing. This makes it ideal for use with filter such as polarisers.

Operation

Mounting

Prepare camera body by removing body cap or previous lens (see next section). Match the raised red dot on the lens with the red dot on the camera. Gently twist the lens clockwise until the lens locking pin clicks into place. Ensure that the lens is securely locked before using the camera.

Removal

Depress the lens release button fully. Rotate the lens counterclockwise until the raised red dot on the lens matches the rot dot on the camera. Remove the lens carefully.

Warning: Do not rest the lens on the camera mount, otherwise damage can occur to the delicate electronic contacts. When not mounted on a camera the rear lens cap should always be in place to prevent damage to the electrical contacts and the rear glass element of the lens.

Manual Zoom

In the picture-taking position turn the zoom ring in the clockwise direction to obtain a wider angle of view. To narrow the angle of view (to zoom in or go toward the telephoto range of the lens) turn the zoom ring in the anti-clockwise direction.

Manual Focus

Slide the lens mode switch on the lens to "MF". This disengages the autofocus motor. Look through the camera viewfinder at the subject, then rotate the focusing ring on the lens until you see the viewfinder image is as sharp as possible¹. The front part of the lens does not move or rotate during focusing. If you manually focus while holding the shutter release button half-depressed, the focus sensors in the camera may indicate in the viewfinder when sharp focus is detected in a focusing zone.

Note 1: When photographing at very close range, it may be easier to focus by leaving the focusing ring set to the closest focus setting, and moving the camera back and forth until sharp focus is achieved.

Auto Focus

Slide the lens mode switch on the lens to "AF". This engages the autofocus motor. Look through the camera viewfinder and position a focusing zone over the subject. Hold the shutter release button half-depressed to activate autofocus¹. The front part of the lens does not move or rotate during autofocus. When sharp focus is detected, the camera will indicate in the viewfinder with a light, and may also beep softly. If the autofocus sensors cannot detect sufficient detail, the viewfinder focus indicator will blink, indicating out-of-focus². When the lens is switched to "AF" mode, it is possible to focus manually without first setting the lens mode switch to "MF". This feature is commonly used in conjunction with a custom function on the camera body (CF4) which shifts the autofocus activation from the shutter release to the AE-Lock button on the rear of the camera.

Note 1: On some camera bodies a custom function allows autofocus activation to be shifted from the shutter release to the AE-Lock button on the rear of the camera.
Note 2: Autofocus accuracy can be enhanced by using the autofocus assist beam on some camera bodies and on some flash units.

Full Time Manual Focus

As this lens has full-time manual (FTM) focusing, it is not necessary to switch it to the "MF" position. The user is able to focus manually when the lens is switched to "AF" mode without first setting the lens mode switch to "MF". This feature is commonly used in conjunction with a custom function on the camera body (CF4) which shifts the autofocus activation from the shutter release to the AE-Lock button on the rear of the camera.

Aperture

All Canon EF lenses have an electronic diaphragm, which means that the lens aperture is controlled electronically from the EOS camera body, rather than by the traditional aperture ring. For instructions on changing the aperture setting of any Canon EF (or EF compatible) lens, please refer to the operating instructions for the camera body.

Image Stabilizer

This lens features an Image Stabilizer (IS) function which reduces the effects of handheld¹ camera movements and shake, which is a common cause of blurred photographs. IS allows the taking of usable photographs at slower shutter speeds than may otherwise be possible. The stabilizing effect is equivalent to two stops of shutter speeds at the 135mm setting. The IS function operates in both AF and MF modes. To engage the IS function set the "Stabilizer" switch to 1. To switch IS off set the "Stabilizer" switch to 0. The stabilization effect starts when the shutter release (or alternate AF activation button) is lightly pressed ². It may take up to one second for the stabilization to be fully effective.

Accessories

Lens Cap

72mm part number E-72U

Hood

Bayonet hood part number EW-78BII

Filters

72mm thread for filter accessories. Multiple filters should not be used simultaneously to avoid vignetting particularly at the 28mm setting(vignetting is a darkening of the corners of the resulting photgraph due to the rims of the stacked filters blocking part of the field of view of the lens).

CloseUp

72mm close-up lenses 500 (part number C543941) & 500D (C543901). The 500D and 500 are suitable for lenses with a focal length the range of 70mm to 300mm. The 250D is not manufactured in the 72mm size.

Teleextender

This lens is not compatible with either Canon EF 1.4x or EF 2x Tele-extenders which have a protruding front element¹. Third Party teleconverters designed for Canon Autofocus mount can be often be used successfully, but compatibility is not guaranteed.

Note 1: It has been reported that the Canon EF Extenders can be used when the lens is in the focal length range of approximately 80mm to 135mm as the rear elements of the lens are sufficiently retracted in that range to not come into contact with the protuding front of the EF Tele-extenders. It is not recommended that this be done, as zooming toward the 28mm end of the zoom range can cause the rear element of the lens to come into contact with the front element of the tele-extender resulting in damage to both.

Extension Tubes

Compatible with EF-12 and EF-25 extension tubes

Case

LP1116 (Soft Case)

Incompatibilties

EF-M body

The EF-M camera does not have autofocus sensors. All EF lenses operate in manual focus mode only. As this lens has full-time manual focusing, it is not neccessary to switch it to the "MF" position. For IS operation incompatibilities please refer to the table below.

EOS bodies

See: Image Stabilizer Compatibility Table

APS bodies

For IS operation incompatibilities please refer to the table above.

Flash

See above table relating to built-in flash and IS operation incompatibilities.

The built in flash of EOS bodies (where fitted) will be partly obscured by the lens at the wide angle settings. This is even more evident when the lens hood is used. This manifests as a darker semicircle in the lower half of the picture frame.

Tripod

Do not use the IS function when using the camera on a tripod or in bulb mode (which is usually on a tripod) as this may cause the IS function to operate erratically.

Do not engage IS mode when panning (following a moving object moving across the photographers field of view)

Precautions

The IS function continues to operate for some time after activation. Do not remove the lens while the IS function is active. Set the "Stabilizer" switch to 0 to ensure that IS is inactive.

Do not rest the lens on the camera mount, otherwise damage can occur to the delicate electronic contacts. When not mounted on a camera the rear lens cap should always be in place to prevent damage to the electrical contacts and the rear glass element of the lens.

Do not disassemble the lens - there are no user serviceable parts inside..

As with all precision electrical and mechanical equipment do not expose the lens to water, particularly salt water.

Do not attempt to mount the lens on any camera body other than a Canon EOS series camera as this could result in damage to both the lens and camera body¹. Please note that earlier model Canon cameras using FD or earlier mounts are also not compatible with EF lenses.

Note 1: Adaptors may be available to allow the use of EF lenses on other camera bodies but care should to taken to ensure that no damage results from their use.

Lens Care

Storage

When not mounted on a camera body, store with the front and rear lens caps in place to prevent accidental scratching or other damage.

Store in dry conditions to prevent the possible build up of fungus between the glass elements of the lens.

Service

There are no user serviceable parts - please return the lens to an authorised Canon service centre for adjustment or repair.

Specifications

Released

February 1998

Dimensions

Maximum Diameter x Length:
78.4mm x 96.8mm / 3.1in x 3.8in

Weight

540g / 19.1oz

Filter Mount

72mm threaded mount for front mounted accessory filters

Optics

16 elements in 12 groups

Focus mechanism

This lens focuses using the inner/rear lens elements. The front elements do not move during focusing and the front element and lens barrel are stationary during focusing.

Rotating Filter Mount

Because the front elements do not move or rotate during focusing this lens is ideal for use with filters such as polarisers.

Focus Range

0.45 metres / 1.5 feet ~ infinity.

Autofocus Motor

Ring type UltraSonic Motor (USM)

Full Time Manual

As with all ring type USM lenses this lens features mechanical Full Time Manual (FTM) focusing.

Focal Length

28mm ~ 135mm

Magnification

Lens alone	Maximum 0.19
12mm extension	0.53-0.09
25mm extension	1.09-0.21
with 250D lens
with 500/500D lens

Angle of view

for 35mm film

	28mm	135mm
Diagonal	75°	18°
Vertical	46°	10°
Horizontal	65°	15°

Aperture blades

6

Aperture Range

Focal length
28mm		f3.5~f22
135mm		f5.6~f36

Image Stabilizer

Mode 1 Image Stabilizer (IS) function. The stabilizing effect is equivalent to two stops of shutter speeds at the 135mm setting. The IS function operates in both AF and MF modes.

Revision History

v0.14d 2004Oct31 jul: IS compat table replace with link
v0.14c 2002Sep04 jul: minor reformat
v0.14b 2001May21 jul: add EOS 3 to IS compat table
v0.14 2001Jan07 Gary Fisher: Remove some table formatting plus revisions in some categories. Include Julian Loke's IS incompatibilities table.
v0.13 2001Jan05 Gary Fisher: Changes for new version of Lens template plus minor revisions.
v0.12 2001Jan03 Gary Fisher: Now uses EOS Documentation Project - Lens template, plus minor revisions.
v0.11 2000Dec28 Gary Fisher: Minor corrections and revisions.
v0.10 2000Dec26 Gary Fisher: First Draft

Comments

Redistribution of any EDP document, text, image, or code, or any work derived therefrom, in any form, electronic or printed, is not allowed without prior written permission from EDP. Copyright notices, including this notice, must remain intact. Use of this document constitutes agreement to our terms and conditions.