The NEW Plastic Fantastic? EF-S 18-55 F3.5-5.6 IS

[GTaudiophile]

Costs $179.95 at B&H.

Review by PhotoZone.

Anyway, the resolution capabilities of the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is nothing short of amazing.

 

[randomlinh]

I may have to add this to my prime arsenal.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I may have to add this to my prime arsenal.

The 18-55 is a zoom, not a prime.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I may have to add this to my prime arsenal.

The 18-55 is a zoom, not a prime.

I meant it as a supplement to my primes... I have no zooms and nothing below 30mm. I was thinking of getting a 10-2x sometime, but I don't think I'd use it as much. Plus, this is far cheaper

 

[alfa147x]

EF-S just looks unattractive I don't like the idea that if i ever buy a 5d \ full frame camera i wont be able to use some of my lens's

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: alfa147x
EF-S just looks unattractive I don't like the idea that if i ever buy a 5d \ full frame camera i wont be able to use some of my lens's

I'm not convinced full frame will be to the masses anytime soon. The crops will just get even cheaper anyway. Hence all the push behind EF-S I would think. If it was going to go away, I wouldn't think canon would devote the resources to it.

but needless to say, if you're set on getting full frame and know it, pass on em. I am stuck on bang for my small budget, so I don't mind

 

[GTaudiophile]

I have the feeling that FF will be the norm within a decade. The Canon EOS-5D MkII to be released in FEB may give us an idea just how soon FF comes to the masses. If Canon releases it at Nikon D300 prices ($1800), then I think a lot of people like me who are on the fence about the EOS-40D will upgrade to the EOS-5DII. At least that is me being hopeful.

I do think crop bodies are a stop-gap measure, be it a long-standing one.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I do think crop bodies are a stop-gap measure, be it a long-standing one.

I like how that's phrased.

Even if the "5D mkII" is $1800, that just leaves more room to push good crops into sub $500/400 levels. Granted, that might cannibalize cameras like the G9. Who knows... but it ain't going away anytime soon.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Looking at the resolution figures.... HOLY CRAP :Q

 

[alfa147x]

I cant see the industry going in for the crop size lens's because of the pro's of a full frame

FOV matches indicated focal length
. Only way to achieve super-wide angle (*1)
. Pixel pitch larger (lower noise) (*2)
. Lower lp/mm requirement for lens (i.e. less optical resolution needed)
. Viewfinder view large and bright
. Matched prime lenses
. Shallower depth of field (*3)

 

[The Stigenator]

the lens looks good..
So this over the Kit 18-55.. I need a basic lens.. This seems reasonable.

 

[alfa147x]

The whole idea of full frame going large is that the cost of silicon manufacturing is decreasing thus cheaper sensors I think it will go to switch first Canon, Nikon \ Sony, Olympus, Pentax, others...

I put Nikon \ Sony because some of the sensors used in Nikon's camera are made by Sony
I really don't know the order after Olympus

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: alfa147x
The whole idea of full frame going large is that the cost of silicon manufacturing is decreasing thus cheaper sensors

yes, but that will also just mean the crop sensors will be even cheaper. in theory anyway. Unless there's some vast new technology, even at $1000 for a FF body, that's a lot of money. not everyone will jump at it.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: alfa147x
The whole idea of full frame going large is that the cost of silicon manufacturing is decreasing thus cheaper sensors

yes, but that will also just mean the crop sensors will be even cheaper. in theory anyway. Unless there's some vast new technology, even at $1000 for a FF body, that's a lot of money. not everyone will jump at it.

Oh i totally over looked that...

 

[cparker]

One day I saw it at a ridiculous price on Amazon for preorder so I jumped (146 bucks). The next day the price went back up to 199 or so. Now it's in the 180s I think. It finally came. Tried it out the past few days. By chance I forgot to turn on the IS and was taking available "low" light pictures at iso 800. Some at 1/15 sec. Then I realized what I had done and turned on the IS and took pictures of same people at full zoom at same speed and then looked at the comparisons. Yes the IS works very well. I have the kit lens (one without IS) and this is nicer looking and seems to have a better build, at least to me. I had thought I'd be picking up some other lenses that cost a lot more, but I'm very happy with this one and the plastic fantastic 50mm 1.8. I think the two represent incredible value. I'll be looking for the 55-250 IS whenever it becomes available instead of going for the much more expensive FF lenses with IS that Canon offers in the telephoto range. Very happy with this one. Using it on a Rebel XT, which I picked up two years ago and works just fine. The balance of the new lens and the XT is just right, by the way.

 

[ElFenix]

slrgear's review

pretty flat. not 70-200 f/4L IS flat, but pretty damn good.