I don’t remember who gave it to me – because I for sure did not buy this thing – it was probably purchased for a few bucks in a thrift store. But since it’s here, let’s use it.

There are multiple variants of this mug. The most current today is the Canon 24-105mm f/4 USM, but mine is an older 28-135 EF-S L II USM. If it was a real lens, it would be a pretty good one, with L glass and image stabilization.

Specifications

From a distance, it looks like a real zoom lens – the size is right, the AF/MF and Stabilization On/Off switches are realistically rendered, and the markings look like they were applied in a Canon factory. The screw-on lid is shaped like the front end of a zoom, with a large domed lens to justify the f/2.5 maximum aperture.

According to the description of the current 24-105 zooms available in 2025, the tumbler is insulated and works like a thermos. The lining is BPA-free stainless steel, and the lid is leak proof. I measured the capacity of my 28-135 zoom at approximately 10oz (0.3l).

How does it work as a coffee mug?

I tested it with coffee, and with cold drinks.

For an insulated thermos coffee mug, it’s not very good at insulating. It’s still better than a paper cup, but not as good as a Yeti or an Igloo tumbler. If you need more than a few minutes to drink 10oz of hot coffee, the mug will become pleasantly warm, and the coffee unpleasantly colder.

The screw-on lid is problematic – first, it’s not leak proof, and, after some hot coffee has found its way out, the mug becomes sort of vacuum sealed, and the lid becomes really difficult to un-screw.

How to tell for sure it’s not a Canon lens?

The question sounds stupid – and anybody who has an opportunity to hold one in their hands knows immediately it’s not a Canon lens. Canon zooms are not that light, they’re much better finished, and their front can’t be unscrewed to give access to their stainless steel innards. But if you’re only being shown a small, low resolution picture, it may not be that easy.

There are three tell tales:

1/ even though it’s sold as a Canon zoom lens replica, the mug does not correspond exactly to a specific Canon model.

2/ even on a low res picture, you may be able to see the marks left by the mould during the manufacturing process. Canon lenses don’t have those marks.

3/ there are obvious inaccuracies – my 28-135 zoom has an aperture ring, like a Nikon AF lens. I don’t know of any Canon EF lens with an aperture ring. And “SDM” is a Pentax acronym for “Supersonic Drive Motor”.

Could it fool anybody?

Maybe…I found this listing on ShopGoodwill.com recently. It was a bundle of “two vintage Canon film bodies and multiple lenses” – no mention of a mug, that sold for $167.00.

As a conclusion

It’s a gadget. Not very good as a coffee mug. But if you have a couple of old Canon EOS cameras in a showcase, you’ll be happy to add this Canon’s EF-S 28-135mm replica to your cabinet of curiosities.

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