Stupid lens question... (are these 2 the same lens?)

[Matt L]

Canon 500d with 18-55 IS lens

Canon 1000d with 18-55 Lens

Just want to know if the lens that comes with the 500d is the same as the one that i had with the 1000d? as then i could just buy the body only.

Thanks
Matt

 

[andrewc]

looks like one is the IS version, the other isn't

 

[Matt L]

whats the difference then? does is just mean image stabalizer? as the 18-55 i have already has that on.

 

[andrewc]

the older kit lens didn't have IS, the newer ones or higher level kits do.

But you can use your existing lens on the 500D, 50D or even 7D if you wanted to (not 5D or 1D)

 

[StewartR]

No, they aren't the same. Enlarge the images on the two pages and look at the writing around the front elements of the lenses.

The lens on the 1000D says: CANON ZOOM LENS 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6
The lens on the 500D says: CANON ZOOM LENS 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS

Unfortunately for you, the newer IS version is a better lens. Here's a snippet from a review at The Digital Picture:

The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens has the same focal length range and is very similar physically - but lacks IS. Optically, it is not as sharp as the 18-55 IS. This difference is very noticeable wide open - especially in the corners. The differences become less noticeable at and beyond f/8, but the difference is still there. The non-IS 18-55 is very slightly more resistant to flare than the IS - which is still very good in this regard. CA is very similar in the two lenses. The non-IS has a little less vignetting at 18mm but slightly more at 24mm and 35mm. While the 18-55 non-IS is a decent value, the 18-55 IS is better optically and is a much more versatile lens - It is definitely worth the extra cost in my opinion.

 

[Matt L]

CANON ZOOM LENS 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS

The one that i have that came with the 1000d says that on it so i assume i have that lens so i can go for just the body

 

[Nifkin]

Are you sure your's is the IS version, Matt? I thought the 1000D came with the non-IS as standard, but maybe you got lucky!

 

[Matt L]

Yeah mine definatly has the is on the end of the lens and has the switch on the side for image stabaliser (assumes thats what is stands for )

 

[Goody13]

I believe that when the 1000D first came out, it was sold with the IS lens, but then Canon changed this, presumably to keep costs down.

 

[willbaroo]

I upgraded eventually from the none IS kit version to the IS kit lens and the difference is small but noticable...