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Home Lenses Canon Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
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Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Hot

 
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4.3 (163)

Overview

In response to demands of photographers, this standard zoom lens is designed with Canons Optical Image Stabilizer technology while retaining the compactness and lightness of previous models. Its stabilization allows sharp hand-held shots at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than otherwise possible. It consists of 11 elements in 9 groups and uses an Aspherical lens element to correct aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range and a circular aperture for exquisite rendering of out-of-focus backgrounds. Without a lot of size, weight or cost, this lens expands picture-taking possibilities any time slow shutter speeds are needed.

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EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
canon1855is1.jpg
Photo 1: EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS


Development objectives
The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (Photo 1) is a standard zoom lens developed specifically for the EOS 40D and other APS-C sensor EOS Digital series cameras. The lens combines light weight, small size and superb cost performance with image stabilization. The primary aims of the lens's development are outlined below.



Feature 1 : Image stabilization in a lightweight, and compact body
Canon's engineers have been able to fit an image stabilizer unit in this lens while keeping it equivalent in size and weight to the non-IS EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II USM. A number of innovations made this possible including the compact zoom optics, the new smaller image stabilizer unit, the mechanical layout optimized to fit in very limited space, and the miniaturized electronic circuit board.
canon1855is2.jpg
Figure 1: Construction of the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS


Feature 2 : Outstanding optical performance
The goal of the lens's optical design was to retain the acclaimed quality of the optics developed for the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II USM while adding a new image stabilization mechanism. The inclusion of a precision aspherical element in the design provides excellent aberration correction, particularly of spherical aberrations, and ensures top image quality at all focal lengths (figures 2 and 3).
The focal length range is equivalent to 29-88mm in 35mm-film format.
canon1855is3.jpg
Figure 2: Optical assembly of the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
canon1855is4.jpg
Figure 3: MTF characteristics of the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Bold lines: 10 lp/mm, fine lines: 30 lp/mm. Black lines are the MTF at full aperture; the blue lines at f/8. Solid lines represent sagittal (radial) MTF and the broken lines represent meridional (tangential) MTF.


Feature 3 : New smaller high-performance image stabilizer unit
A priority of this lens design was to keep its weight and size on par with that of the non-IS EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II USM. This meant that the image stabilizer unit had to fit in a very tight space.
We slashed the size and weight of the image stabilizer unit by redesigning the unit and reducing its component count. Some characteristics of the unit's new construction (Photo 2, Figure 4) are:

A mechanism using ceramic bearing balls and the tension of three diagonally mounted springs holds the compensation optics lens barrel in place. The ceramic bearing balls' rolling action allows smooth movement of the compensation optics.
An actuator, consisting of permanent magnets and coils, drives the compensation optics lens barrel.
Dampers between the compensation optics lens barrel and its support frame cushion the impact of harmful vibrations from the springs' movement on the image-stabilization control.

An optimized algorithm controls the drive of the new image stabilizer unit. With image stabilization on, the lens can deliver a stabilization gain of four f-stops in shutter speed.*
The lens is also able to automatically distinguish between panning and camera shake in normal shooting, and adjusts the IS mode accordingly. This feature permits for optimal image-stabilization in both situations and frees the user from concerns about mode selection.
* Generally, the effective limit for stable unaided handheld shooting is a shutter speed of about 1/[focal length x 1.6] seconds for APS-C sensor cameras.
canon1855is5.jpg
Photo 2: Image stabilizer unit of the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
canon1855is6.jpg
Figure 4: Exploded view of the image stabilizer unit


Feature 4 : Optimal optics for digital SLRs
The lens configuration and coatings have been designed to minimize the flare and ghosting due to surface reflections from the imaging sensor that is found in digital SLRs. The configuration and coatings also provide excellent color balance.


Other features
• Fast autofocusing
A high-speed CPU and an optimized AF algorithm control the compact drive motor for fast autofocusing.

• Minimum focusing distance of 0.25m
The minimum focusing distance is 0.25m at all focal lengths, which is closer than that on the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II USM. The maximum magnification is 0.34 (at 55mm).

• Circular aperture produces beautiful bokeh
The lens features an electro-magnetic diaphragm with a circular aperture that produces attractive bokeh (blurring effects).

• Redesigned switch shape prevents accidental mode changes
The focus mode switch has been reshaped to prevent the switch from being moved accidentally while shooting or transporting.

• Improved operability and high-grade exterior finish
This lens has been furnished with the same zoom-ring pattern and coating as our high-end models, giving a firmer grip and creating a high-grade exterior finish.

• Environmentally friendly design
The lens optics uses only environmentally friendly lead-free glass.
Furthermore, the lens design meets the environmental requirements of the European Union's RoHS Directive (Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment).

Lens Specifications

Generic Lens Specifications

Lens Type Zoom
IS / VR / OS IS
Min Focal Length (mm) 18
Max Focal Length (mm) 55
Number of Elements 11
Element Groups 9
Max Aperture 3.5
Closest Focus Distance (m) 0.25
Filter Type Screw In
Filter Diameter (mm) 55
Diameter at widest (mm) 68
Lens Length (mm) 84
Weight (g) 200

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User reviews

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Average user rating from: 163 user(s)

Overall rating: 
 
4.3
Sharpness:
 
4.3   (163)
Build Quality:
 
4.2   (163)
AF Speed:
 
4.3   (163)
Value for Money:
 
4.2   (163)
 
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good kit lens

Overall rating: 
 
4.3
Sharpness:
 
4.0
Build Quality:
 
4.0
AF Speed:
 
4.0
Value for Money:
 
5.0
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Reviewed on: April 12, 2012
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Glad I bought this lens.I have the 18-55mm without image stabilization that came with my camera and I thought I had good pictures. This lens takes a sharper picture with its image stabilization.I recently took a vacation to Florida and took alot of great pictures with this lens.

 

Canon lens

Overall rating: 
 
5.0
Sharpness:
 
5.0
Build Quality:
 
5.0
AF Speed:
 
5.0
Value for Money:
 
5.0
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Reviewed on: April 10, 2012
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

This is the lens that came with the Rebel XS that I purchased recently. I almost purchased the body only because I kept hearing and reading that kit lenses were all junk and the Rebel was my first SLR. The price difference from where I bought the camera body from was only $50 though, so I went for it. Well I found that it's a tremendous lens and it's never let me down (and I do a lot of indoor shooting). I did purchase the 50mm 1.8 lens here at Amazon for very low light indoor shots on occasion and highly recommend that very sharp but affordable lens too. The 18-55 is sharp right from 18mm/3.5. The stabilization is invaluable and works great for handheld shots (don't own a tripod). It allows you to slow the speed down much more than a non-IS zoom. I have taken some low light indoor shots with this lens successfully but did need to raise the ISO to 800 and sometimes bump up the exposure compensation. The images were pretty sharp though and I just cleaned them up a bit more in Photoshop. I personally would only give up this gem of a lens for the Canon 17-55 2.8 (over $1000 glass). Very satisfied.

 

Surprised

Overall rating: 
 
4.3
Sharpness:
 
4.0
Build Quality:
 
4.0
AF Speed:
 
5.0
Value for Money:
 
4.0
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Reviewed on: April 07, 2012
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

This lens came with the starter kit of the Rebel t3. Im not going to pretend that its one of the best lenses out there since its probably not but for people that are just starting or are only looking for taking pictures of their loved ones/similar this lens can do the job at a very decent quality and you arent going to find anything better for less than this. I had my issues with the image quality when I was starting but it turned out to be that I was too unexperienced to use it properly and Ive been doing some great improvements lately. That being said if you intend to take landscape shots or pictures from a decent distance try to find something with a higher field range you are going to need something with a bigger field range. Only thing around a similar price available would be this one[...] which is also quite good for starters, as long as you arent expecting the quality of an L lens.

 

A great starter lens,perhaps too limited

Overall rating: 
 
4.5
Sharpness:
 
5.0
Build Quality:
 
4.0
AF Speed:
 
4.0
Value for Money:
 
5.0
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Reviewed on: April 06, 2012
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

I did get his lens extremely fast, but it was not the one in the picture. It does not have a image stabilizer and looks different than the picture. Still works, a great buy.

 

Well.

Overall rating: 
 
2.8
Sharpness:
 
2.0
Build Quality:
 
3.0
AF Speed:
 
3.0
Value for Money:
 
3.0
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Reviewed on: April 05, 2012
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

I Purchased one Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens is excelent, is the best image, thank Canon for thus Lent

 
 
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