What is Canon's 18-55mm IS Lens best for?
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cuthbert
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the bin.
it's a pretty naff lens tbh, you're better off buying the camera body only and using the cash to put towards a lens more suited to your requirements. really depends on what you're going to be shooting.
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The bin?!?! Damn, poor lens 
Naw, really though, I think it's best for filling in the gap until you can afford to buy some better lenses
You can buy a camera with it for really pennies more than a camera body without it, so to me it just makes sense to buy the kit. Plus, it means you can get snapping straight away. I bought my 450D with the IS kit lens, and started upgrading lenses as my bank balance allowed, first a Sigma 10-20, then a nifty fifty, and got my hands on some other primes really cheap from a charity shop. (Charity shops are GREAT for bargain lenses, you can't go wrong with some old primes and adapters!) My 18-55 is now unused and sits sealed in a bag.
Some folks choose to stick with it and thats fine by them - I know a guy who still uses his one year on and his photos are fine. What made me want to get rid was the barrel distortion - it needs PP to correct it whereas none of my other lenses do, and I dislike doing more work than I ought to. Sharpness isn't actually too bad, I think for me at least it's my body that's more of a problem for focussing.
The 18mm is moderately wide, seems REALLY wide if like me you came straight from a compact. 55mm is nothing special but gives a bit of extra reach and is actually quite good for Macro work.
So yeah, in short, it's exactly what its supposed to be - a kit lens. As soon as you can afford lenses to replace it though, I'd advise you do, otherwise you'll never be using your camera to its full extent.
Naw, really though, I think it's best for filling in the gap until you can afford to buy some better lenses
You can buy a camera with it for really pennies more than a camera body without it, so to me it just makes sense to buy the kit. Plus, it means you can get snapping straight away. I bought my 450D with the IS kit lens, and started upgrading lenses as my bank balance allowed, first a Sigma 10-20, then a nifty fifty, and got my hands on some other primes really cheap from a charity shop. (Charity shops are GREAT for bargain lenses, you can't go wrong with some old primes and adapters!) My 18-55 is now unused and sits sealed in a bag.Some folks choose to stick with it and thats fine by them - I know a guy who still uses his one year on and his photos are fine. What made me want to get rid was the barrel distortion - it needs PP to correct it whereas none of my other lenses do, and I dislike doing more work than I ought to. Sharpness isn't actually too bad, I think for me at least it's my body that's more of a problem for focussing.
The 18mm is moderately wide, seems REALLY wide if like me you came straight from a compact. 55mm is nothing special but gives a bit of extra reach and is actually quite good for Macro work.
So yeah, in short, it's exactly what its supposed to be - a kit lens. As soon as you can afford lenses to replace it though, I'd advise you do, otherwise you'll never be using your camera to its full extent.
wontolla
Misery Guts Monica
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Sorry, but I don't agree!
It's miles better than the bog standard 18-55. The IS is a godsend. It does it's job for the money! I have had much better IQ with this lens than with the kit job. If you want a basic, everyday lens without spending a fortune, then this is the one to go for. If you want top IQ, pin sharp pics, if you are semi or pro, then yes, save your money and go for better glass. It's certainly NOT for the bin!!
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The 18-55 IS is a kit lens too. It superseded the original kit lens without IS, which, it is pretty much unanimous. is crap, although i've never yet had the joy of sampling it. The IS is indeed a godsend, I could take pictures at 1/6 at 18mm and usually not blur them, putting the lens on par with my nifty fifty exposure wise.
wontolla
Misery Guts Monica
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Yep quite agree with all you say, but not originally!! and thats what I meant to say!
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Its a good lens for the money
I've got the preceding non-IS version of the lens. When I was buying my 400D kit I read too many reviews and internet comments that said it was junk, I almost threw the kit lens away. However it was not bad, certainly a very useful range on the crop sensor camera, as a walkabout, scenery and portrait lens. For the additional minor cost on the kit price versus the bare body, its been superb.
The IS version of the lens is meant to be far superior optically.
I doubt there will be much difference in build quality, so assume plasticky and wobbly, but mine works fine and it's very very light weight if lugging it out and about for the day.
I've got the preceding non-IS version of the lens. When I was buying my 400D kit I read too many reviews and internet comments that said it was junk, I almost threw the kit lens away. However it was not bad, certainly a very useful range on the crop sensor camera, as a walkabout, scenery and portrait lens. For the additional minor cost on the kit price versus the bare body, its been superb.
The IS version of the lens is meant to be far superior optically.
I doubt there will be much difference in build quality, so assume plasticky and wobbly, but mine works fine and it's very very light weight if lugging it out and about for the day.
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The very thought of throwing a lens away makes me want to upchuck
cuthbert
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i agree it has a useful range but for me the aperture is too narrow at all focal lengths.
IS makes up for it a little but you have no true DOF control. i guess it depends on what you take photos of... but to me, any photos using the lens look very much like they come from a point and shoot camera.
it's pretty soft too.
IS makes up for it a little but you have no true DOF control. i guess it depends on what you take photos of... but to me, any photos using the lens look very much like they come from a point and shoot camera.
it's pretty soft too.
It's not much more for the lens when compared to the body only, so I though why not get it until I can afford a better lens.
I can get the set for £500 which I think is a great price.
I will be taking photographs like this:
Yes, I know that it's a very poor quality photograph but it's the best that I could do with the space, equipment and time that I have. So hopefully this new camera will really improve my photographs
.
I can get the set for £500 which I think is a great price.
I will be taking photographs like this:
Yes, I know that it's a very poor quality photograph but it's the best that I could do with the space, equipment and time that I have. So hopefully this new camera will really improve my photographs
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Nonsense! How many compacts do you know of (I know of none?!) that produce pictures like these:
I ain't saying they're perfect but even at f/2.8 compacts struggle for decent background blur, and all of these were around f/5.6.
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Get it.
It'll be more than good enough for doing your own garment product photography.
Its only big weakness for you may be a hint of barrel distortion but there are many very expensive lenses that have the same problem, easy to fix in post processing if it is a problem.
In general use my non-IS version has trouble with softness when at the open end of its aperture, especially when at the 18mm end of the zoom. From the technical reviews the IS version is far superior at the open end across the zoom range. However, for product photos the open aperture performance of the lens is not critical, lighting setup will become more important.
Are you doing tailoring?
It'll be more than good enough for doing your own garment product photography.
Its only big weakness for you may be a hint of barrel distortion but there are many very expensive lenses that have the same problem, easy to fix in post processing if it is a problem.
In general use my non-IS version has trouble with softness when at the open end of its aperture, especially when at the 18mm end of the zoom. From the technical reviews the IS version is far superior at the open end across the zoom range. However, for product photos the open aperture performance of the lens is not critical, lighting setup will become more important.
Are you doing tailoring?
Just bought it
.I will be using it to photograph mens clothing for my store.
The current photographs do the job, but hopefully this will make everything look a little more professional.
Next thing to sort is the lighting...
I sold it and put the money towards a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, but the 18-55mm IS will be decent enough to start out with for the photos you want to take of garments I expect. They are always pretty popular on here when they come up if you decide to sell so just enjoy the new camera and lens!
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Just bought it
I will be using it to photograph mens clothing for my store.
The current photographs do the job, but hopefully this will make everything look a little more professional.
Next thing to sort is the lighting...
Good luck with the camera and store and may you live long and prosper!
wontolla
Misery Guts Monica
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"It's photography Jim, but not as we know it"
That kit will do you fine! Nowt wrong with the lens!
But I bet you will want a better one one soon!!
THE BUG BITES!!
"It's photography Jim, but not as we know it"
That kit will do you fine! Nowt wrong with the lens!
But I bet you will want a better one one soon!!
THE BUG BITES!!
I've already got a couple of lenses in mind for when my budget allows.
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One that has three legs is a good start
I may go for a four legged one just to be sure..
wontolla
Misery Guts Monica
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Try Redsnapper on this forum (advertisers thread) He does bags and tripods. AND you get a discount for being a TP member. AND they are VERY good quality. AND....well you get the picture (pun intended) or go for a Lowepro bag/backpack.
Thanks for the tip
.I've decided to get this bag and this tripod (I think).
Quick question: What's the difference between these two tripods? No. 1 No. 2
wontolla
Misery Guts Monica
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Thanks for the tip
I've decided to get this bag and this tripod (I think).
Quick question: What's the difference between these two tripods? No. 1 No. 2
Very little apart from one is a three section leg the other 4 section. The 4 section will go lower to the ground.
Good choice!
Thanks for the help, just realised that for myself :bonk:.
Think I'll get the 3 section one as want the extra height.
W
whiteflyer
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There is a lot of snobbery about the kit lens, yes it's not as good at a £1000 L Lens, but it will take VERY good images just check out the 118 pages of posts on the POTN forums Canon EF -S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 USM Sample pics thread
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I will be taking photographs like this:
For what you want to do with it, the lens should be more than adequate. A lot of people bash it, but it can be a rather nice general purpose lens.
Rather than spending money on other lenses, you might get more benefit from a flash you can bounce the light with and maybe some sort of seamless backdrop.
Yeah, I think the lens should be fine as a general purpose lens until I can afford more specific lenses.
I've had a good look around for lighting and think that I may get a Lastolite Hilite Background.
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comes back to the old saying doesnt it, all the gear and no idea.
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Images I have done with my 18-55 IS:
A lot of the softness I initially blamed the lens for was down to my 450D's temperamental AF system... pop it into MF, and the results are acceptably sharp:
I'd certainly say its a step up from the vast majority of PnS cameras.
A lot of the softness I initially blamed the lens for was down to my 450D's temperamental AF system... pop it into MF, and the results are acceptably sharp:
I'd certainly say its a step up from the vast majority of PnS cameras.
I was very tempted to joke and say it makes a pretty good paperweight.
But honestly it's not bad. It's never going to be a L series, but it's way better than no lens at all. And to be fair, stopped down a bit it's capable of some excellent results.
If that's what you can afford at the moment go for it. And never let equipment snobs bother you, just get out there and take shots!
cheers
But honestly it's not bad. It's never going to be a L series, but it's way better than no lens at all. And to be fair, stopped down a bit it's capable of some excellent results.
If that's what you can afford at the moment go for it. And never let equipment snobs bother you, just get out there and take shots!
cheers
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Having owned that lens I can say it does a lot better than it's low cost would suggest (like the 55-250). You have to pay quite a bit more money to get something that's a lot better.