Canon EF-S 18-55mm Kit lens. The lens everyone hates 

Thank you. I've had this lens sitting in a closet for three years, thinking it was less valuable than some new prime lens I bought in that time. I'm going on a trip to Europe soon, and have been trying to figure out which lens to take if I only take one. A few people recommended taking the kit lens, as it would be a little more versatile than a single prime lens. Your video convinced me to take it out of the closet and spend some time with it, which I did yesterday and today, taking photos around the house and yard. I was pleasantly surprised, and wondered why I hadn't used it more before. So, thank you again. Great informative video!

Thanks for the video. I appreciate the effort there but I didn't really get anything. You need to get to the point. Why do people hate this lens? Why do you think people should keep this lens? I am Nikon guy and I have a similar kit lens like that but for Nikon. I could list a few reasons people should keep this kit lens: (1) It is auto-focus & image stabilization (2) it is light and relatively small (3) Its zoom range cover a wide variety of shooting purposes (versatile) (4) most likely you already had it with the purchase of the camera but if you buy it, it is very affordable (5) it produces pretty good pictures (if the pictures didn't come out good, chances are it's you... not the lens). A good photographer can take great pictures using just entry level DSLR camera. (6) It is a great lens for those that just got into the DSLR photography. You could learn a tons from using the kit lens than spending for much more expense lenses. The expense lenses will come when your skills and needs surpass the usefulness of the kit lens. Here is the limitation that people normally move pass it: (1) It is not a fast lens (it would be challenging using in low light situations) (2) Its zoom range is max at 55 mm (not ideal of telephotography nor portrait photography nor macro photography) (3) the pictures are not as nice when compared with more expensive lenses (4) It could be noisy when using the auto-focus I have been in this hobby for over 15 years (all learning by myself / RU-vid) and am still keeping and using the kit lens now among my other expense lenses.

I've just started with photography. I bought a body of an old Canon (1000D/Rebel XS) and bought the kit lens that would have come with it to start with. It doesn't do all the things that I want out of photography, but I've taken some good almost macro shots with bokeh and some good landscapes too. I've got more lenses now, but I still like my kit lens.

I bought one for 20 bucks at a pawn shop by accident thinking it was an EF lens.. it wouldnt fit on my canon 5D, so I decided to cut the extra round plastic by the connectors thinking what the heck.. and it worked ... later on I found out that there are actually people on youtube doing the same thing . I like it very much.. its not as sharp as my 50mm , but I get much better angle and more control. I have no complaints.

In some countries Canon sell their DSLR cameras with a non stabilized version of this lens. Perfectly fine for outdoor use but not so good for indoor use in places where you can't use the flash. On the front of the lens it will have III instead of II.

I've got two of them, used on my 1100D, and 90D. It's a great little lens, and if you know how to shoot, it does a great job.

My first ever DSLR was a Canon Rebel T6 that came with this 18-55mm kit lens. I still have it, alongside a new Canon Rebel T8i and a 55-250mm f4-5.6 is stm telephoto lens. Although I rarely use the old kit-lens nowadays I still want to get the most out of it while it still works. Just bought some 58mm size thread VND and CPL filters to put on them and see what I can get. Great video! I couldn't agree more! It is a keeper!

Appreciate your kit lens tips! I also have this lens on my Nikon DX camera, and I love the compactness and sharp images...thanks for this information!

I was more original with my 1st DSLR experience 15 years ago :). I bought that time Canon 400D as body and Canon EF 28-200mm USM lens instead of kit one. Same lens then was used on my next Canon 550D body, until it was later changed for Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM, which the best possible alternative for Canon APS-C kit lens ever by built and picture quality. Yeah, I know aboout Canon EF-S 17-55mm IS USM and even have it on my current Canon 90D, but it`s much more expensive.

I agree with all you said, I don't do video, but love the 18-55 on my m6, its the only crop camera I have, and always in the bag, im mainly wildlife and use a 1d with a 500 prime, but its nice to have versatility

I still have my kit lens it's a good lens, I use mine on every Holiday year ,no mess lens it just get on with it.

I enjoy street photography with a Canon dslr so I have some nice prime glass. I’m well into an ethic of taking one lens and living with it for the day; it lets me travel light. Whenever I go to a new town or city, the kit lens is my go-to. The latest iteration with IS is more than adequate for those early exploration walks. Once I’ve started getting familiar with the new place I can choose the prime of choice for the day. Nothing worse on day-1 than going equipped for narrow backstreets then turning a corner and finding wide boulevards everywhere 😂 If going to a camera-risky environment I use a used kit lens & older rebel body. The megapixel count is low but not intolerable but if the rig gets trashed it’s not a disaster. Don’t ignore low price kit, think in terms of capabilities.

just bought my first Canon 70d yesterday and just bought the lens used today so get me it will be a good start I think when it arrives as I have never tried anything else

Had one of these few years ago....good for holiday shoots.....on test found around f9 was good... Sold that one on with camera.... Just found another in cupboard.... Yeh they are plastic fantastic....look how many elements inside....prob 5 diaphragm blades like original nifty fifty....that was sharp...same lens configuration on STM version more blades.... Thanks for comment re extention tubes never thought of that...good to keep even if not used to often.... please note.... 😮

It’s a good lens to start I still use mine only been shooting for 2 years now and already have 5 different lenses great video

Focus noise makes me SHUDDER. The pictures in the video look great

Hello Jordan, i'd need your wise hint, please! 😂 Basing on your opinion, should I prefer the 18-55 3,5-5,6 IS STM or the 4-5,6 IS STM? I bought an eon 850D with 4-5,6, but they sent me the older 3,5-5,6 so I'm considering the replacement. Every suggestion would be super-appreciated. Thank you!

Extension tubes are great, but if you're serious about macro photography, they won't satisfy you for long.

The IS STM version of this lens is quiet...you dont hear anything...thats why the stm version is good for video as well. The version you are reviewing is not the STM.

love the NHL sweater! :) where did you buy it from? let me know

I have the STM version of this lens & it's quite good in terms of focusing. I don't use it very often cuz i have a 50mm lens but I'm planning on using on travel photography. Any thoughts?

Please do not keep saying everybody gets this lens for free ,nobody gets this lens for free .If you look at the price for the body only and the price for the body plus lens you will see there is a price difference of about £100.

thank you

My Kenko extension tubes don’t fit this lens! Any idea ?? They fit all other lenses I have except this one

Jonah Hill knows mad shit about lenses bro!!

Prime zoom lens???

Good stuff. I learned alot.

thanks

Could someone tell me that if I have canon EPS 18-55 mm lens, what lens is recommended to buy to upgrade this lens?

Is it good for food photography?

This lens begs for light ! Poor in low Morning (foggy/cloudy) Light. Added a 10 stop ND some shots were good but the Hit rate ?! WTF ?! 😆 Ebays giving these away for free.and with good reason !!! 👎 👎 👎

What is the point of your convoluted and totally useless commentary???? The Canon 18-55 f3.5 is RUBBISH cant take indoor pics.

i dont trust your review cuz you dont even know how to setup properly your lighting...

1.5x speed helps a lot I can't stand long blabbering

Good for taking up close pictures of your flower garden, your kids and your pets. Trash for everything else