Canon's basic budget kit zoom from the film/early digital era — a no-frills 28-90mm standard zoom.
The Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III is the third and final version of Canon's entry-level full-frame kit zoom, bundled with budget Canon EOS film and early digital SLRs. Covering the standard 28-90mm range, it provided basic wide-to-short-telephoto coverage at the lowest possible price point, prioritising affordability over optical performance.
Optical performance is basic. Centre sharpness is acceptable when stopped down but soft wide open. Corners are consistently weak. Chromatic aberration and distortion are present throughout the range. This lens was designed to meet a price point, not to impress optically. Adequate for casual snapshots in good light but not suitable for demanding work.
Canon EF mount, full-frame coverage. Filter thread is 58mm. Weight is approximately 190 grams — very light due to extensive plastic construction. Build quality is minimal — all plastic including the mount on most versions. No USM motor — the standard micro-motor is audible and slow. No image stabilisation.
Extremely common and almost worthless on the used market — often bundled free with camera body purchases. Check for smooth zoom operation. Not recommended for purchase in isolation — virtually any other EF zoom is a better investment. The Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or EF-S 18-55mm IS STM are vastly superior alternatives at similar prices.