Best value for money EF walk-around zoom?

L_E_Miller · Jan 1, 2023

My 28-105 3.5-4.5 got the dreaded broken zoom mechanism recently.

The EF system hasn't been my main system for a long time and I'm just getting up to speed on the market. I am a little shocked the 24-105 3.5-5.6 STM is selling for more than the f/4 L version 1 on the second hand market.

I might just buy another 28-105 3.5-4.5 but what else should I consider? Willing to spend up to 300 for the right lens. Doesn't have to be a 100mm+ zoom, was sort of looking at the old Sigma 28-70mm F2.8.

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Sirius Glass · Jan 1, 2023

Which camera?

redbandit · Jan 1, 2023

sigma made some great EF glass, they have has a max of 300mm in the zoom mode, with a nice 1:1 macro on it that actually does macro correctly.

Goes for 50 on the e thingy

Paul Howell · Jan 1, 2023

In terms of budget, I have the Sigma 28 to 105 4.5 to 5.6 IF in Sigma and Minolta A mount, both of my examples are sharp, if you want speed, then the 28 to 70 2.8, it was a top of the line until the 24 to 70 2.8 came out. Some of the early Sigma lens did not play well with Canon EF mount.

grat · Jan 1, 2023

Best resource for Canon EF lenses is still The Digital Picture.

They've got current and out-of-production lenses, usually with decent reviews.

L_E_Miller · Jan 1, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Which camera?

I currently have an EOS 55 and an A2e

Sirius Glass · Jan 1, 2023

L_E_Miller said:
I currently have an EOS 55 and an A2e

Can I assume that they are Canon products?

MattKing · Jan 1, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Can I assume that they are Canon products?

Given that they are EOS models, that is an excellent assumption

L_E_Miller · Jan 1, 2023

Paul Howell said:
In terms of budget, I have the Sigma 28 to 105 4.5 to 5.6 IF in Sigma and Minolta A mount, both of my examples are sharp, if you want speed, then the 28 to 70 2.8, it was a top of the line until the 24 to 70 2.8 came out. Some of the early Sigma lens did not play well with Canon EF mount.

Some of the newer 3rd party lenses are also not playing nice with EF film cameras. I have the new 35mm 1.8 from Tamron and it doesn't work at all on my EOS 55

Dirb9 · Jan 1, 2023

You should be able to find a Tokina 28-70/2.8 in that price range. Better IQ than the Canon 28-135, I found. It's from the same era as your cameras so it'll work fine. The disadvantage over the Canon lenses will be slower AF and no full time manual focus, as it doesn't have USM. The Canon 24-85/28-105/28-135 lenses all have pretty similar image quality, just differences in focal range.

Best value for money EF walk-around zoom?

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