This is the first version of this lens, the EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 USM introduced in October of 1991 for EOS film cameras. such as the EOS Elan.
EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6
At the time I first wrote this piece on this lens I had two copies of it and assumed that they were identical. But when I got them out together I realized that they were very different. And so I began a
little research and came to realize that this single little lens has a complex history and several incarnations.
Canon produced seven versions of this lens with this zoom and aperture range from 1991 through 1999 for their EOS line of SLRs. All of these iterations were used as the kit lens for various cameras at one time or another.
Below is a summary of these lenses. I don’t have every one of them but the ones I have link through to a page for that specific lens. I have relied on the
Canon Museum for several images and their statistics. I have had problems with the Museum’s information in the past and I don’t completely rely on their images or information. But until I find my own copy of each type this will have to do.
Why so many of these lenses with these particular specs. Well, if you think about it, this zoom range is the about same range as the EF-S 18-55mm kit lenses on so many modern Rebels after you do the 1.6 conversion for the crop sensor. It is just a popular range of focal lengths for an inexpensive kit lens.
This is my copy of this lens. Click on the image to check it out.
EF 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 USM
Collection No.: L-13
Introduced: Oct 1991
Serial No.: 3702436B
Min Aperature: f 22 – 38
Construction: 10 elements in 10 groups.
Aperture: 5 blades
Filter Thread: 58mm
Accessories: Lens Hood: EW-60C
Weight: 330 gr
Notes: Lens in excellent operating condition, glass clear, body shows wear from use. Discernable at a distance by the build and pattern on rubber zoom ring.
Image is from the Canon Museum
EF 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 II USM
Introduced: Oct 1993
Min Aperature: f/38
Construction: 9 elements in 9 groups.
Aperture: 5 blades
Filter Thread: 58mm
Weight: 200 gr
Image is from the Canon Museum
EF 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 III USM
Introduced: Aug 1995
Min Aperature: f/38
Construction: 9 elements in 9 groups.
Aperture: 5 blades
Filter Thread: 58mm
Weight: 205 gr
Image is from the Canon Museum
EF 28-80 f/3.5-5.6
Introduced: Sept 1996
Min Aperature: f/38
Construction: 10 elements in 10 groups.
Aperture: 5 blades
Filter Thread: 58mm
Weight: 200 gr
Notes: Discernable by name on name ring, no USM and no silver ring next to zoom ring.
Image is from the Canon Museum
EF 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 IV USM
Introduced: Sept 1996
Min Aperature: f/38
Construction: 10 elements in 10 groups.
Aperture: 5 blades
Filter Thread: 58mm
Weight: 200 gr
Notes: You can discern this lens by the name on the name ring.
EF 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 II
Introduced: Apr 1999
Min Aperature: f/38
Construction: 10 elements in 10 groups.
Aperture: 5 blades
Filter Thread: 58mm
Weight: 200 gr
Image is from the Canon Museum
EF 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 V USM
Introduced: Apr 1999
Min Aperature: f/38
Construction: 10 elements in 10 groups.
Aperture: 5 blades
Filter Thread: 58mm
Weight: 200 gr
Notes: Discernable by the name on the name ring around the front element.
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