Photo: Charles Lanteigne (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Quick answer
A wide prime with USM focusing, released in the 1990s. Compact, with a 58mm filter thread.
Pros
- f/1.8 aperture
- Compact
- USM with manual override
Cons
- Aged optical design
- Soft wide open
- Visible distortion
Verdict
A fast wide prime for those who do not need modern sharpness.
About this lens
A 28mm f/1.8 fast wide-angle prime lens, the Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM is designed for Canon EF mount bodies, with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. The wide view suits landscapes, architecture and environmental shots.
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 28mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/28.0
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1995
- Optical construction
- 10 elements in 9 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.25 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.18x
- Filter thread
- 58 mm
- Weight
- 310 g
- Length
- 55.6 mm
- Diameter
- 73.6 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM?
- Street
- Documentary
- Casual landscapes
- Group shots
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 28mm | 65.5° | 75.4° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 45mm | 43.8° | 51.6° |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM compatible with full-frame cameras?
Yes. It covers full-frame and acts as a roughly 45mm equivalent on APS-C bodies.
Does the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM have stabilization?
No. The later EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM adds stabilization with a slower aperture.
Is 28mm good for street photography?
Yes. It is wide enough to include context without extreme perspective, and the compact size is easy to carry while walking.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
Tamron
AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
28-300mm · f/28.0 · Canon EF
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SP AF 28-105mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF
28-105mm · f/28.0 · Canon EF
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SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro
28-75mm · f/28.0 · Canon EF
Tamron
SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical (IF) Macro
24-135mm · f/24.0 · Canon EF
