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

Canon has maintained the position that image stabilization functions best when installed in the lens. According to Canon, "The advantages of IS in the lens are, first, that each IS system can be designed and optimized for its specific application, yielding a level of performance unattainable by the in-body, shifting sensor technique. 

Second, one can see the image stabilization effect in the finder. The image is steady; accurate framing is possible; the AF point can be placed precisely, and the photographer can concentrate on the shot and capture the best moment. Panning is also easier and more effective than with the in-body approach." With that understanding along with the popularity of IS, it is not surprising that Canon introduced an image stabilized version of the value-priced Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens currently included in many Canon DSLR kits.

What was less apparent from the announcement was that the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens would bring us an upgrade in optical performance as well. Before reading any farther, you need to be aware that all Canon EOS cameras can accept EF lenses but only Canon EF-S compatible bodies (1.6x FOVCF only) can accept EF-S lenses.

 

Overall, these two lenses (Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens left, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens right) are very similar physically. The most obvious physical difference between the lenses is the new grip pattern on the zoom ring (above right). This change gives the lens a nicer, higher quality feel. The 18-55 IS is slightly longer and has Canon's newer recessed-style switches for AF/MF and IS On/Off.

Of course, changing the zoom ring grip does not give this lens a high build quality. The lens is still Canon's low end plastic construction including the lens mount. The zoom ring makes a not-loud scratching/brushing noise inside the lens as it is rotated.

Manual focusing with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens is difficult at best. With no dedicated focus ring, this lens uses the extending portion of the inner barrel as its manual focus ring (see the thin ribbed ring at the end of the lens?). Since the inner barrel has a lot of play in it, the viewfinder image moves very noticeably during MF unless you use a very light and very precise touch.

The 58mm filter-thread-size front element rotates and extends during focusing - You should avoiding contact with it during autofocus. There is no focus distance window and no distance markings are provided. FTM (Full Time Manual) focusing is not available - manual focusing should only be done with the AF/MF switch in the MF position. The lens is not parfocal - changing the focal length requires re-focusing.

While the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens does not employ Canon's best USM autofocus system, the one used is not bad. The noise is low and the speed is very decent. I have found it to autofocus very consistently accurate. Of course, DOF (Depth of Field) is generally deep with this slow (narrow max aperture) lens - making AF precision less critical/noticeable.

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