Review of Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM

According provided by Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM many thanks to the official representatives of Canon in Ukraine.

Review of Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Review of Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM is a new versatile lens, introduced on March 21, 2013 with cameras Canon 100D и 700D... I would like to note that a huge number of different modifications were released for standard (so-called 'whale') Canon 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 lenses. Below is the entire list:

The simplest versions (without IS, USM, STM):

Versions with USM-motor:

Versions with Image Stabilizer IS:

Versions with STM-motor and image stabilizer IS:

Versions for mirrorless cameras with bayonet mount Ef-m:

Version for mirrorless cameras with bayonet mount R (RF-S):

The main parameters of all Canon 18-55 for SLR cameras

The main parameters of all Canon 18-55 for SLR cameras. increase.

All Canon whale lenses of class 18-55 / 3.5-5.6, except for the STM version presented in this review, have the same optical scheme, which includes 11 elements in 9 groups. It can be argued that new lens modifications were produced, but they were all built on the basis of the same optical scheme, first introduced in 2003 on lens Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6went on sale with the Canon 300D.

Optical design of two IS and STM lenses

Optical design of two IS and STM lenses. Pictures taken from Canon Camera Museum

After 10 years, Canon apparently decided to release a new staffer, under the new multi-megapixel digital SLR cameras that require it. The new optical scheme includes 13 elements in 11 groups, including 1 aspherical element. It is also good that the new lens has an aperture with 7 blades, while previous versions had only 6 blades.

This is what Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM looks like with the trunk extended

This is what Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM looks like with the trunk extended

Canon EF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 IS STM, like other similar lenses, has only 3x zoom, a small maximum aperture and built-in image stabilizer. The stabilizer works well, in practice, I did not notice much difference with the previous model ISII, the more it is stated that both lenses give a stabilization effect equivalent to 4 steps excerpts.

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM with plastic mount

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM with plastic mount

This lens weighs only 205 grams and is made in Taiwan. It has a plastic mount, which is quite normal for a budget lens. The zoom (zoom) ring is rubberized. When the focal length is changed, the lens trunk moves in a wave-like manner, decreases from 18 mm to 35 mm, and then lengthens again from 35 mm to 55 mm. When the focal length changes, the front lens does not rotate, but the rear lens moves, creating a slight vacuum cleaner effect (sucking in air, and with it dust).

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM on Canon 100D

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM on Canon 100D

It is very good that the new STM lens has internal focusing - when focusing, the front lens does not rotate at all. This is useful for using special light filters (gradient, polarizing etc.). Prior to this, there was simply no internal focus on standard lenses of this class.

Canon EF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 IS STM belongs to the new line of Canon STM lenses. STMSTepper Motor is a focusing stepping motor that enables smooth, quiet and fast focusing. Reality lived up to its promises - I was just amazed at the focusing speed on this little whale lens :).

In addition, the lens supports focus mode FTM Full Time Manual Focusing - focusing mode with constant manual control. Prior to that, kit lenses of class 18-55 did not have such 'luxury'. You can grab the focusing ring at any time, press the focus button (usually the same button that is responsible for releasing the shutter) and manually correct the focus. You do not need to switch to 'MF' focus mode.

It is fair to say that the FTM mode does not work with the 'AI Servo' focusing method.

With the focusing of the lens, everything would be just fine, if not for one 'but'. The focusing ring of the lens is electronic, you can focus on focus only when the camera is on. The focusing ring is plastic, not rubberized, and most importantly - very flimsy. On my copy it has a noticeable backlash and taps at any touch to it, which spoils the whole impression of the lens.

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM on Canon 100D, view from above

The closest focusing distance is only 25 cm, which makes it easy to shoot small objects up close. The maximum zoom ratio for macro photography is 1: 2.8. The lens barrel has a switch for 'AF / MF' focus mode and 'Stabilizer ON / OFF' mode. The lens uses standard 58mm light filters for Canon kit lenses. Of the useful marks on the body, you can find only the focal length values ​​and a white square - a pointer for attaching to the camera, well, also a mark for attaching a hood.

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM on Canon EOS 350D

The Canon EF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 IS STM came to my review without a hood. However, the lens can use the Canon EW-63C lens hood, which fits into special slots near the front of the lens. In principle, the hood can be installed back-and-forth for transportation, in this position access to the focus ring is completely lost.

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Canon EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS STM on Canon EOS 70D

Like most modern full-time zooms, the Canon EF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 IS STM creates a high-contrast image, tolerates flare, partially distortion and chromatic aberration the camera can fix itself. I don't see anything unusual in the image quality of Canon EF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 IS STM. But even with such a simple lens, you can squeeze out a lot of good photos, there would be a desire and skill.

On Canon APS-C cameras due crop factor EGF lens (equivalent focal length) will be 28.8-88 mm (18 * 1.6 and 55 * 1.6, where 1.6 is crop factor Canon cameras).

From the sore point: please do not start a discussion in the comments with the 'CAPS LOCK' pressed: 'EF-S lenses are designed for cropped cameras, therefore the focal length does not need to be recalculated'. For cropped cameras EGF recalculated always, for any lens without exception.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 882 MB, 40 photos in .CR2 format (RAW) from a Canon EOS camera 100D.

More examples of photos (with processing) for this lens for Radozhiva kindly provided Alexander Frolov.

Lens prices in popular stores can look at this link, or in the price block below:

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Results

The new Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM turned out to be a good lens. First of all, I want to note the presence of internal focusing, but the focusing itself is very fast and quiet, and even with FTM support. Also, the lens is very light. I believe that Canon has released a great new standard staff member of the 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 class, it's a pity that the flimsy electronic focus ring spoils the overall impression of the lens a little. Overall, the Canon EF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 IS STM is the best option budgetary a regular lens for simple photography for every day.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Nikolay

 

 

Comments: 68, on the topic: Review of Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM

  • Nikolay

    More photos

  • Alex

    Links to archives with originals do not work!

  • Dmitro

    I have a Canon eos 200D with this lens. The lens was detected by the camera and its name is present in the lens distortion correction menu, however, when processing photos in Capture One, for some reason it is not automatically detected and you have to enter it manually on each photo. But Canon 50 mm F 1,4 is detected automatically. Can someone post how to fix this?

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