Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Review

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS the standard kit lens for Canon camera APS-C format. Started producing in 2007, there is a kit lens for basic Canon DSLR cameras. The lens belongs to the second-generation Canon kit lenses. And compared to the previous Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II has better optical performance, constructive, and has an optical image stabilizer, as evidenced by the letters IS (Image Stabilization).

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Specs

Focal length: 18-55mm

Maximal aperture: f/3.5-5.6

Weight (gr): 200

Length (mm): 70

Filter Ø (mm.): 58

Aperture blades: 6

Min. Focus distance (m.): 0,25  

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Handling and Mechanics.

The lens has a plastic barrel, plastic bayonet mount, too. The middle part of the barrel is a broad rubberized zoom ring. There is also a manual focus ring; it is narrow and is located near the front of the lens. They certainly can be used but is uncomfortable in comparison with manual focus lenses. When focusing, the front element rotates.

On the left, close to the camera, has 2 switches. Mode AF/MF to switch between manual and automatic focus. And ON/OFF stabilizer switch.

The lens has a built-in motor focus. Autofocus is operating normally.

The overall build quality is quite good. I also like the design; the camera looks more serious than the Nikon kit lenses. Interestingly, the lens has rounded aperture blades, which allows obtaining smooth bokeh circles.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Sample Photos.

All examples are taken by the camera Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi. JPG without post-processing.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Sharpness

Is nothing special to say about sharpness. A typical kit lens is typical of this lens class sharpness. Normal sharpness.

18mm f/5.7 1/640 ISO 400

If you compare it with Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II, it has a better sharpness of field on the edge of the frame.

55mm f/5.7 1/800 ISO 400

34mm f/4.6 1/60 ISO 400

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Character and Bokeh.

The lens has a smooth, creamy bokeh. It's over because of low fastest; I can see well-pronounced bokeh only at the macro or shooting close portraits.

55mm f/5.7 1/200 ISO 400

In other cases, bokeh is not noticeable.

55mm f/5.7 1/60 ISO 400

The lens is designed for cameras with an APS-C sensor. The effective focal length in comparison with the format of 35mm is 29-88 mm. A wide-angle is enough for most scenes.

33mm f/4.6 1/1000 ISO 400

55mm f/5.7 1/400 ISO 400 MFD

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Contrast and Color Reproduction.

The lens shows good contrast but loses to modern kit lenses.

18mm f/8 1/160 ISO 100

Against the sun, exposure is often seen, and a slight drop in contrast.

24mm f/12,9 1/250 ISO 200

18mm f/7 1/100 ISO 100

I want to say about the work of the stabilizer. According to the manufacturer, You can use it to compensate for 4 aperture stops. Clearly, this is a marketing ploy since the stabilizer can only compensate for a handshake. But the scenes with fast-moving objects, no stabilizer can not compensate.

18mm f/3.5 1/8 ISO 400

Crop 100% the size of the previous picture.

Note that the shutter speed of this photo. Exposure 1/8 it's great. But at 100% size has visible light motion blur because, during the exposure, people slightly move with static scenes stabilizer useful by 100%.

Summary

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS is a standard kit lens. For many fans, it is enough to get good shots for the home and family. You can see more examples of photos with this lens.

29mm f/4.6 1/60 ISO 400