Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens
From Canon

Product Description
Canon's latest optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology provides up to 4-stop compensation for image blur caused by camera shake and slow shutter speeds. Photographers normally shooting handheld at 1/250 sec can switch on IS to obtain a similarly steady and blur-free result with a shutter speed of just 1/15 second. The inclusion of automatic panning detection makes it easier for photographers to track wildlife and other moving subjects. To ensure consistently accurate results at all zoom positions, the IS system within each lens has been optimised for that lens' specific focal length range. Since the IS system is based within the lens, the results are visible through the viewfinder when framing the image.

Amazon.com Product Description
Equipped with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm standard zoom lens is ideal for just about any application. IS technology compensates for camera shake by providing the equivalent effect of a shutter speed up to four stops faster. This allows you to take sharp handheld shots even in low-light conditions--a must for sports and nature photography. The lens also offers an aspherical lens element that corrects for aberration, thus producing a topnotch image throughout the zoom range, and a circular aperture that exquisitely renders out-of-focus backgrounds. Despite its minimal size, weight, and cost, the lens expands the picture-taking possibilities any time slow shutter speeds are needed.

Specifications

* Focal length: 18 to 55mm
* Maximum aperture: f/3.5 to f/5.6
* Lens construction: 11 elements in 9 groups
* Angle of view: 74 degrees @ 20 feet to 27 degrees @ 50 feet
* Focus adjustment: Autofocus (DC motor) with manual focus option
* Closest focusing distance: 9.8 inches
* Filter size: 58mm
* Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter and 3.33 inches long
* Weight: 7.1 ounces
* Warranty: 1 year


Customer Reviews

A decent kit lens worth considering for your first DSLR (3.5 stars)
I received this lens along with my Rebel XS, and it contributed to the incredible value of that camera. It's also "kitted" with the XSi and the upcoming T1i. Given the price of the latter, it may be a dubious pairing. In other words, if you have the money to buy that camera, you might want to consider buying a better lens for it.

The good:

My first impression of the EF-S 18-55 IS was that it was very insubstantial. It's pretty compact and light weight. You'll hardly notice it on your Rebel. This lens is apparently a pretty big step forward from the previous non-IS kit lens. And indeed it performs pretty well optically. I like it most from the wide end to about 35mm, where its resolution leaves very little to be desired. Chromatic abberations are pretty well controlled, but are easily corrected if necessary. Also, the close-focus capability is quite good; I've captured some decent macro shots with this. Perhaps the most attractive feature is the image stabilization, which is very effective. You can comfortably take sharp photos of non-moving subjects in indoor or other low-light settings.

The bad:

Construction leaves much to be desired, which is not a surprise for a kit lens. This is not the prettiest lens, nor does it inspire much confidence in manual use. From an operational standpoint, it's pretty barebones. You get some marks next to the zoom ring to tell you the approximate focal length, and, well, nothing else. Manual focus, which is performed with a plastic ring on the end of the lens, was obviously an afterthought. Probably the biggest disappointment, though, is the rotating front element, which precludes the possibility of an effective lens hood. Another result of this is that it makes using a polarizing filter more complicated.

Optically there isn't too much to complain about. Distortion on the wide end is noticeable but easily corrected. The lens is a bit soft on the telephoto end (except between about f/8 and f/11 where it's somewhat sharper), which can be disappointing compared to the wideangle performance. This issue is compounded by the fact that 55mm is rather short, so it's likely you'll spend a lot of time there if you're trying to get closer to your subject.

Overall, this lens is good enough that I think it's worthwhile to get it as part of a kit, especially if you have reservations about paying more for a better lens. However, if you have the older 18-55mm non-IS lens and are looking for an upgrade, I would recommend that you look for something else.

That leads me to my final complaint, which is not regarding this lens but rather the Canon line in general. Canon simply doesn't offer many good upgrade options to this lens. The EF-S 17-85mm is an obvious choice. However, the tests and reviews I've seen indicate the 17-85 performs worse than this lens on the wide end, while its saving grace is good performance on the telephoto end. The EF 28-135mm, which was made for full-frame use, sacrifices the entire wide-angle range on an APS-C sensor for even more telephoto. The EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS will give you about the same range as this one, but with superb optics and a larger maximum aperture. Unfortunately, though, this "consumer" lens comes at an "L" price ($1000+). Finally, the 18-200mm offers a greatly expanded zoom range at the expense of image quality at most focal lengths, and with only slightly better build quality than the 18-55 IS. Even among third party lenses there aren't many options that look very attractive. To be honest, this issue is annoying enough that, compounded with a couple other issues, I have seriously considered switching brands, since I have so little invested in Canon.

Anyway, gripes aside, this is a decent kit lens that should not automatically be overlooked.

Excellent lens for the price.
I received my lens this morning, and have spent the day trying it out. Overall, I am very happy with it. The photo quality is very good, ease of use is also very good. I am used to using Canon's jewel-like FD lenses from years ago, so I am a little put-off by the build quality of this lens; but when I consider the low price I guess the build quality is decent enough. I have noticed just a bit of play in the Auto Focus mechanism: if I lightly twist the front of the lens from left to right or vice-versa, it turns just the slightest amount and the front element will extend or retract a small fraction of an inch, changing the focus I assume. But in operation I haven't noticed any problem with the focus, it appears to be spot on. Also, this is the first Canon lens I have received without an instruction sheet, I suppose that could be a problem for someone without any knowledge of Canon's IS and AF/MF systems, or how to mount the lens. I do appreciate the relatively small size and light weight of this lens on my rather heavy Canon 40D camera (compared to Canon's EF 70-300mm IS USM lens). This lens will probably become my new walk-around lens because of weight and size.

doesn't give a good image stabilizer
i bought this lens because i was needing a not expensive short lens and i thought this one could work good because of the image stabilizer. but when i don't use it as a close up the image is kind of blurry and not to mention that for portraits if very hard to get eyes on sharp focus. So i will not recommended this lens.

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