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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Rebel Owners - Opinions on the EF-S 18-55 Lens
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Showing posts 1 - 15 of 15, (reverse)
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 12/27/2004 01:09:32 PM · #1
I'm a newcomer to the Digital Rebel and rec'd the EF-s 18-55 Lens in the kit. How does this lens rate to others? Would you suggest I purchase another?

I seen some people recommend the Canon 50mm f/1.8. How does this compare to the EF-S 18-55?

Thanks for any feedback.
 12/27/2004 01:15:08 PM · #2
I have both of these lenses. As far as real picture quality is concerned, the 18-55mm cannot compete with the 50mm 1.8. They are in two different leagues optically. However, the versatility of the 18-55mm range and the extremely useful close focusing capabilities of the lens make it worth every penny. Nearly every one of my entries is done with the 18-55, including this week's blue ribbon winning entry.

Regardless, you must, I repeat, must own the 50mm 1.8. It is the best value on the market and it's supremely useful in low light and for purposefully shallow DOF work (e.g. portraits). It does not, however, focus nearly as closely as does the 18-55mm (which is why I've yet to get rid of it).

Message edited by author 2004-12-27 18:16:10.
 12/27/2004 01:19:38 PM · #3
Originally posted by bledford:
Regardless, you must, I repeat, must own the 50mm 1.8. It is the best value on the market and it's supremely useful in low light and for purposefully shallow DOF work (e.g. portraits). It does not, however, focus nearly as closely as does the 18-55mm (which is why I've yet to get rid of it).


Hi bledford. Thank you for the quick reply. Can you give me an example of when you would use the 50mm f/1.8 and not the 18-55mm? Excuse my ignorance, but like I said, I'm a Digital SLR newby.

Congrats on your ribbon!! You give me hope. :)

Message edited by author 2004-12-27 18:19:54.
 12/27/2004 01:26:00 PM · #4
In low light the 50mm f/1,8 is just a must. The 18-55 is not too bad stopped down and is pretty inexpensive.
 12/27/2004 01:30:38 PM · #5
This is why you need the 50mm f/1.8:



Low light shots like this (without flash) are very difficult to achieve with the 18-55. The $70 50mm is probably the best Canon lens you can buy without spending hundreds.
 12/27/2004 01:33:13 PM · #6
Originally posted by NorthWoodsGuy:
Can you give me an example of when you would use the 50mm f/1.8 and not the 18-55mm?


Sure. At 50mm, the 18-55mm is only able to open up to f/5.0 or 5.6 (can't remember). That is not sufficiently shallow depth of field for many things like portraits where you want the background to be totally blurry. The 50mm 1.8 can provide the needed shallow depth of field for these kind of shots.

The 18-55 is also not so good at those lower f-stops. For instance, at 18mm and f3.5, you'll get a fairly fuzzy image from the 18-55. It's a lens best kept in the f8-f11 range. That's not to say that you won't get useable shots from the kit lens at lower f-stops, just that they'll be hit and miss.

Ultimately, I find that the 18-55 is on my camera 70% of the time with the 50mm on the other 30%. Versatility simply plays too large of a role in the kind of photography I do to have the 50mm on the lens that much. Needless to say, some faster (lower f-stop capable) prime wide angle lenses are on my wish list.
 12/27/2004 01:38:25 PM · #7
Thanks for all the great feedback! You sold me!
12/27/2004 01:47:35 PM · #8
Junk :-(
 12/27/2004 01:48:27 PM · #9
I have the 50mm 1.8 and the 28mm 2.8 ($160.00ish) and since getting the 28mm, I've never put the 18-55mm back on my camera. It's not a terrible lens, but the picture quality of the 2 primes I have is immediately obvious.

If want to do macro work, you can get an extension tube for relatively cheap which will get you closer than the 18-55 and have better optics.

But, having said all that, I'll be keeping my 18-55mm until I'm able to afford a 17-40mm L which won't be anytime soon.
 12/27/2004 01:53:10 PM · #10

for the money prime lenses are very good quality.

canon 50mm 1.8, and sigma 2.8 macro have virtually replaced the efs 18-55mm, and 75-300mm tele i own. i'll get the 17-40 f4 L at some point...

although the 28mm f2.8 sounds alright for the money...

12/27/2004 02:05:56 PM · #11
Originally posted by pitsaman:
Junk :-(

Monkeypoo :
 12/27/2004 03:04:30 PM · #12
Poppy

(Taraxacum offlcinolc)

I am somewhat impressed with the macro ability of the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, which is possibly one of the only strong points of that lens.
 12/27/2004 03:04:37 PM · #13
The 50mm f/1.8 is a total no-brainer for EOS cameras. They should just raise the camera price and include that lens as part of the kit. Now that I've used it a bit, I'd almost put the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 in the same class... it's fast, sharp and offers good contrast for $269.
 12/27/2004 03:09:27 PM · #14
Originally posted by NorthWoodsGuy:
I'm a newcomer to the Digital Rebel and rec'd the EF-s 18-55 Lens in the kit. How does this lens rate to others? Would you suggest I purchase another?

I seen some people recommend the Canon 50mm f/1.8. How does this compare to the EF-S 18-55?

Thanks for any feedback.


Gotta luv the Fantastic Plastic (50mm 1.8). Very sharp and fast.
 12/27/2004 04:04:36 PM · #15
I only have the kit lens so far but the 50mm 1.8 is next on my list. :o)
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