Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

Canon · EF

EF 28mm f/2.8

Released April 1987

A compact EF wide-angle prime with a moulded aspherical element, a 0.3 m closest focusing distance and a 185 g lens-only weight.

Mount
Canon EF
Focal length
28 mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Stabilisation
–
Weight
185 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews find useful central sharpness and value in a tiny lens, but note colour fringing and shading. Photozone finds fast autofocus and decent construction; The Digital Picture finds mediocre, noisy autofocus and a loose manual ring. Photozone's APS-C test finds good borders improving stopped down, while The Digital Picture highlights curved-field corner softness and stronger full-frame shading.

From the-digital-picture.com, photozone.de, photozone.de and photozone.de

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
28 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Five elements in five groups
Special elements
One moulded glass aspherical element, at the front of the optical system
Diaphragm
Five blades
Angle of view
75° diagonal, 65° horizontal and 46° vertical according to Canon's manual

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon EF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.3 m
Maximum magnification
0.13×
Autofocus detail
Conventional motor autofocus according to Photozone; no full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture
Focus distance detail
Mechanical manual focusing; Canon's manual requires the MF switch position. Inner tube extends towards close focus but the front does not rotate according to Photozone

Design

Filter diameter
52 mm
Maximum diameter
67.4 mm
Length
42.5 mm
Weight
185 g
Controls
AF/MF switch, focus ring, distance window, depth-of-field scale and infrared focus index
Dimensions detail
67.4 mm maximum diameter × 42.5 mm length; dimensions and 185 g weight are lens-only. Front and rear caps add 21.5 mm according to Canon's manual
Lens hood
EW-65 II reversible hood according to Canon's manual
Release detail
Canon Camera Museum records April 1987 marketing; no first-sale day is given

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 185 g lens-only weight
  • Compact 42.5 mm length
  • Non-rotating front element

Cons

  • No full-time manual focus
  • Five-blade aperture

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Canon EF24 mmf/2.8No270 gNov 1988
Canon EF35 mmf/2No210 gOct 1990
Canon EF28 mmf/1.8–310 gSept 1995

Newer model: EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM.

Sources

  1. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef264.html
  2. media.the-digital-picture.com/Owners-Manuals/Canon-EF-24mm-f-2.8-Lens.pdf
  3. the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-28mm-f-2.8-Lens-Review.aspx
  4. photozone.de/canon-eos/156-canon-ef-28mm-f28-test-report--review
  5. photozone.de/canon-eos/156-canon-ef-28mm-f28-test-report--review
  6. photozone.de/canon-eos/156-canon-ef-28mm-f28-test-report--review

Photo: global.canon

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