18-55mm Kit Lens

ant1

ant1

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Right, just a basic quick question really.
New to the forum so not too sure on if this will be in the correct place. Sorry if not.

But, I have a standard 18-55mm lens.
I have been told by a few that the 18-55mm IS is not only an added factor of the Image Stabilizer. But the glass is better?

Is this correct? Any experience on the lenses?
Only reason being, I got the 18-55mm cheap a few weeks back. (I had just a body and a few of my fathers old lenses). Only after realising about the 18-55mm IS. So thinking of part exchanging it for the IS version.

Help appreciated.
 
Okay, thank you. The other reason as well is with the IS, it would be slightly better in lower light situations? As its 3.5 @ 18mm and 5.6 @ 55mm.

Here are a couple of images. They could be down to my fault as I'm still learning. First is this one.
http://i40.tinypic.com/33vzrco.jpg

No PP on this, as I wasn't happy with it at all. ISO was at 800 which I didn't realise lmao, could have done with it at 200 or 400? Was a dull day but still. And shot at F13. 1/250.


Next is this image. http://www.flickr.com/photos/antparkes/6913990966/in/set-72157629774790181/lightbox/. But I took a few more of this, and if i'm honest this was down to my poor hand and focusing haha.

First image was more of a concern. I had it checked else where and they said it's fine, I just thought it was a little eurgh haha.
 
The 55mm will be equivalent to a 80mm on a crop camera so the guideline for handheld would be to keep the shutter faster than 1/80. The IS will help when shooting stationary targets in low light.
I would keep the lens for now and if you find you really want a better lens then you can spend a little more and get something better than the 18-55 IS.
 
Okay thank you, what do you mean by 80mm on a crop camera? Not sure on what you mean there.

I think I will get my money back, if im honest as I do have other lenses to get me by for now. Just wanted a general shooting lens really. Can't really afford 17-85mm. And a Sigma 28-300, I would want something wider than 28mm. Which is the reason I went for something cheaper tbh.

Any other suggestions gblades?
 
The canon 5d is a full frame camera meaning the sensor is the same size as 35mm film. Other canon cameras have a smaller sensor so they see a smaller part of the image coming though the lens which means it is equivalent to a full frame camera looking through the lens.
The number you multiply the zoom by to find the equivalent zoom is called the crop factor and is 1.6 for canon, 1.5 for Nikon and 2.0 for micro four thirds cameras.
 
For cheap lenses the 18-55 and 55-250 are the best options (both IS). If you want to do portraits then the 50mm f/1.8 is very good aswell.
If you want something better then you are looking at £300-400 for a brand new lens. I would shoot with what you have and see what you find you are using most.
I bought my camera with the 28-135 canon lens which is very good but lacking a bit in wide angle. I found myself using it for nature and it spend most of its time at 135mm so when I bought a new lens it was the sigma 150-500. For other people who like landscapes they may go with something like a 10-20 instead. It depends on what you like to shoot.
 
So, being a full frame camera or not, does this make a difference on image quality? Or just need to make sure my exposure is correct for my camera?

Yeah I have a 50mm 1.8 already, I also have a 28mm, and a 80-200 with a 2xteleconverter all passed down from my father's film canon. So in a way I am lucky. I got to santorini soon where they have asked if I would take a few shots here and there of the wedding (my cousins so not paid or anything, just because I will have a camera out there haha). Once the sun goes down it will be lower light, which I why I wanted the IS version. The 18-55mm lens was mainly for a cheapy, general purpose lens. Sometimes me and a mate go to derelict places and I don't fancy keep changing. Plus 18mm was nice and wide. £300-400 I have no chance on affording really. 18 and I have insurance coming up to pay, holiday etc. Sucks lmao.

And being new still, I don't know what photos I am best at, and If i'm honest I wouldn't mind being okay at them all. Its just a hobby, it will never be a job. So I wouldn't mind taking some nice land/cityscapes, and/or nature.
 
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Don't worry about full frame. The 5d is a few thousand pounds new and you can get really good pictures from a bottom of the range slr. The lens is what makes the major difference. Use what lenses you have at the moment and if you find the 28mm is not wide enough then pickup a 18-55 IS second hand for about £40-60. Anything better even second hand is probably going to be £250+.
 
Fair enough, I have a 400D as it fit my budget perfectly at the time. Body only as I knew my dad would give me his lenses. I will do so as you say.
Then pick up a 18-55mm IS later on, second hand.

Thank you for all your help.
 
A better alternative to the kit lens is the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non VC.
 
I did end up sending it back, and going to actually spend time with the lens I have already, 50mm and 28mm, I also now have a 55-250mm IS.

Thanks for the link though my friend :)
 
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