This is a low-cost lens and the image and build quality reflect this. The lens body is of plastic construction, including the lens mount. Unlike many Canon lenses, the EF-S 18-55mm I/II USM and the 18-55mm I/II are manufactured in Taiwan rather than Japan. The optical quality of the lens is variable, depending on the quality of an individual lens. Generally, however, this version of the lens is soft to very soft and must be stopped down to gain acceptable sharpness. Barrel distortion becomes quite noticeable at the wide-angle setting and chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is common. [2]
Extending the telephoto range, the Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens is a telephoto zoom that picks up at 55mm (88mm equivalent), and together these cover the 18–250mm range (28.8–400mm equivalent). The newer Canon EF-S 18-200mm lens is a superzoom that covers much of this range (28.8–320mm equivalent).
This lens is not sold separately and is only available bundled as a kit with a Canon Digital Rebel or Canon Rebel XT. The Canon Digital Rebel has been replaced by the Rebel XT and new models of the original Rebel are now difficult to find. You can buy the Rebel XT kit which includes the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II and the Canon Digital Rebel XT body. The kit is available from the following photo.net affiliate stores. Buying via these links helps to support the photo.net website.
This lens made me dislike my previously loved 28-135IS lens. When I bought my 300D, I saw it as a necessary evil. I didnn't want to spend for the 17-40L and my 20-35 wasne't wide enough for APS-C. After using it alongside my 28-135, I noticed that the images taken with 18-55 are better! Both is terms of sharpness and colour rendition. Then I felt that the 350 Euro wereno't well spent on the 28-135IS. The reason might be that the EF-S lenses are optimized for digital sensors instead of film. I done't know that for sure and can 't find out, since I can>'t shoot with EF-S18-55 on my film bodies. Anyway the 18-55 is more than a decent lens. Far better than my old (and given away) EF 28-90 kit lens. When I upgrade my digital camera (staying with APS-C), the EF-S 18-55 IS will be my new kit lens. Add a comment
