Canon 18-55, USM or not?

mattlovell90

mattlovell90

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Hi guys,

Huge newbie to photography here, got a great deal on a 550D and I'm looking to buy my first lens for it. Settled on the 18-55mm Canon that seems to come bundled in most of the kits you can get, as I'm pretty budget limited and feel this will do fine for getting to grips with photography as a whole.

I'm shopping around for good prices as you do, but I'm finding a few that are advertised as USM. Did a bit of research and found mixed reports that have just confused me, some say that it's either IS or USM, some seem to suggest both. :bang:

Can you get this lens with USM? If so, which is the best one to buy?! As it will be my main lens I would rather spend more to get a USM one if it's worth it.
 
I stumbled across one of those before, assumed it was a misprint and then found there was indeed a USM one. I seem to remember it was rather old and not as good optically as the newer ones. It's also micro-motor USM rather than the better ring USM.
 
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USM means that the focusing is done using a ultrasonic motor so is a lot quieter to our ears. They are often ring focus and normally allow you to fine tune the focus afterwards without having to switch to manual. Often the lens is better made aswell but check the reviews as there are good and bad lenses in every range.
 
As Daz says, the 18-55 USM used a micromotor, not the better ring USM and according to Google, was available in Japan only.
It's also non IS (image stabiliser) so pretty rubbish tbh.
If you want a cheap and cheerful starter lens then the 18-55 IS is the one you want. A used Mk I model is around £50-60 and the image quality is pretty respectable. I have a Mk II and the IQ is identical to the mk I but apparently the IS system was tweaked along with some cosmetic changes.
Expect to pay around £80 for one.
 
Thanks guys, found the same about the non-is japanesey versioness micro motor stuff with a bit more googling. Ordered the mk2 IS one, just waiting for that knock on the door now! :D
 
I've just sold my MkII IS in the classifieds on here purely due to wanting something with a little more range.
You'll be really pleased with yours! :thumbs:
 
The IS version isn't a bad little lens to get started with. The image quality is pretty respectable, and its a decent starting point in terms of focal lengths. You'll soon figure out what sort of lengths you prefer in your photography without having broken the bank to find out.
 
Pair it up with the 55-250 and you have a fantastic combo to get you started. :thumbs:
 
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