Features:

•     Wide Zoom Range (24-135mm equiv)
•     Optical Image Stabilization
•     Ultra Sonic Motor (USM)
•     Manual Focus Override
•     Lightweight and Compact Design
•     EF-S Mount for APS-C Format EOS Cameras

The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6  a plastic construction (just like the higher priced EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS) but the quality of the used materials is actually very good. There aren’t really any wobbling parts anymore and that’s despite the duo-cam design (two inner lens tubes) which is used to extend the lens when zooming towards the long end of the range. The two control rings are tight and operate pretty smooth. The front element does not rotate so using a polarizer remains easily possible. It is a bit unfortunate that Canon does not provide a lens hood in the standard package but it’s not surprising either because they’re only doing so for their L class lenses regardless of the price of a lens.

Canon strengthens its EF-S series of lenses with the launch of  powerful standard kit lens for EOS EF-S camera owners of the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6  USM IS. The Lens is designed for EOS EF-S mount bodies the lens covers wide angle and portrait focal ranges. The  15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens features improved exterior lens design that offers an improved high-grade look.

Typical for medium- to high-end Canon lenses the AF is driven by a ring-type USM (“Ultrasonic Motor”) which provides very fast and virtually silent AF operations. Full time manual focusing is always possible in one-shot AF mode. The AF accuracy was pretty good on our test body. The AF speed in contrast AF mode (aka LiveView) is slow.

Canon’s Super Spectra coating have been used to minimise the effects of flare and ghosting and achieve accurate colour rendition and natural-looking contrast in images. The seven-bladed iris diaphragm closes to a circular aperture for attractive bokeh, while the ring type USM allows full-time manual focus override enabling users to fine-tune focus manually without having to switch out of AF mode.

The EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS lens features an image stabilizer with a claimed efficiency of up to 4 f-stops. While this may be possible in lab conditions we’d recommend to avoid exploiting this to the max due to the increasing number of outliers in field conditions.  The EF-S 15-85mm produces a heavy degree of barrel distortion at 15mm (3.15%). While this may be somewhat disappointing it’s simply normal for such lenses. The problem is much less pronounced with less than 1% distortions at the other tested focal lengths.

This lens is equivalent to a 24-136mm focal length lens includes ring-type USM and a close focus distance of 0.35m through the entire zoom range. The new lens offers great low-light performance due to the inclusion of a 4-stop Image Stabilizer that automatically detects panning and tripods, responding accordingly to help photographers take steady shots in any situation.

The image stabiliser is slightly better than we found in the EF-S 18-135mm lens. It enabled us to use shutter speeds as slow as 1/6 second with a focal length of 85mm, which is slightly better than Canon’s claim of four f-stops stabilisation advantage. More than 90% of shots taken in our stabilisation tests at shutter speeds between 1/10 and 1/4 second were acceptably sharp at between three and four f-stops below the shutter speeds we would expect from an unstabilised lens.

Camera motion blur is a great way to erase otherwise great image quality. Welcome Image Stabilization. The rule of thumb I use for determining the longest shutter speed I use to handhold a lens is 1/(focal length x FOVCF). Thus, I typically need a shutter speed of 1/(15 x 1.6) = 1/24 which is close enough to call 1/25. Specific testing with this lens at 15mm revealed that I indeed needed 1/25 for a good keeper rate with IS switched off. No surprise there. I bettered my rule of thumb slightly at 85mm with a good IS-off rate at 1/80.

REVIEWS:

 photoreview.com.au writes:

“Buy this lens if:
- You want a high-resolution, general-purpose lens to match the 7D body.
- You’d like a lens that requires no readjustment when you fit polarisers and graduated filters.
- You want effective image stabilisation.

Don’t buy this lens if:
- You require excellent flatness of field.
- You can’t tolerate vignetting.
- You need close focusing and macro capabilities.”

the-digital-picture.com writes:

Overall, image quality from this lens is very good. It is nearly equal to that from the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens – an impressive and best-selling lens.

photozone.de reviews writes:

“The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS is certainly a desirable lens … if you can get a good one (ours had a bit of QC issue). The build quality of the lens is very good and definitely an improvement over previous Canon consumer zoom lenses. Typical for Canon lenses featuring a ring-type USM the AF performance is very impressive. The IS (“Image Stabilizer”) works just fine within its limits but that’s a proven technology by now and no real news anymore.
Overall we’d say that the lens is slightly over-priced regarding its performance but eventually the street prices will come down to more sane levels.”

ephotozine.com reviews writes:

“During testing, this lens has proved itself a capable successor to the popular EF-S 17-85mm IS USM. Although it has some flaws, it is capable of producing excellent results, so long as the limitations of the lens are taken into account. The lens handles well, is very sharp at most aperture and focal lengths, and the Image Stabiliser performs excellently.”

cameralabs.com reviews writes:

“A worthy successor to the EF-S 17-85mm IS USM, the new lens boasts a flexible walk-around range with wider-angle coverage equivalent to 24mm, a slightly brighter aperture when zoomed-out, very respectable optical quality (especially at 15mm), along with build quality that’s as good as any non-L lens in the Canon catalogue. In short, if you’re after a decent quality general-purpose zoom for a compatible EOS DSLR, look no further.”

 

Specifications:

The EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM is a fixed focal length wide-angle 28mm lens equipped with Canon Optical Image Stabilizer technology, superb image quality and performance perfect for use in any number of photographic applications. Sharp, clear images are easy with an Optical Image Stabilizer that offers up to 4 stops of shake correction while a ring-type USM and advanced CPU with optimized AF algorithms enable faster auto focusing.

Canon offers a wide range of compatible supplies and accessories that can enhance your user experience with your EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM that you can purchase direct.

Specifications

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM features 2 UD and 3 types of aspherical elements that reduce aberrations for outstanding image quality.
The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is a wonderful ultra-wide zoom lens. Broaden your perspective with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens. Specifically designed for improved edge-to-edge image quality that meets the strict requirements of professional and high-end amateur photographers alike, the Canon EF 16-35 lens lets you bring more area into focus while providing greater depth of field.

It features 3 high-precision aspherical lens elements, each of a different type: ground, replica and GMO. The circular aperture produces a beautiful and natural background blur when shooting at wider apertures. Other features include internal focusing, a ring type USM (Ultra Sonic Monitor), and new AF algorithms for fast and quiet auto focusing.

An ultra-wide angle, the Canon EF 16-35 is a very high grade quality lens, which is constructed extremely solidly, measures 3.5″ x 4.4″ and weighs in at about 1.4 lb. This large 82mm filter size is a first for Canon EF Lenses, not shareable on other Canon lenses without the addition of a stepping ring. Being a super size and weight for comfortable use and easy handling the quality makes it a good choice. Fully sealed against dust and moisture, when a filter is in place, the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM does not change in size, with its inner barrel extending.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM key features:
• Higher image quality at wide-angle end, enhancing optical performance, resolution and contrast
• 2 UD and 3 types of aspherical elements reduce aberrations for outstanding image quality
• High level dust and moisture resistance designed for use in harsh conditions
• Inner focus design with Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for fast and virtually silent operation
• Circular aperture producing attractive background defocus
• 28cm minimum focus distance at all zoom focal lengths
• Optimized lens coating, reduces ghosting and flare
• Manual focusing enabled even during AF mode (full time mechanical focusing)

The Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM was developed for users who want to achieve full-fledged ultra wide-angle shooting with a digital SLR camera.
The optical design of the Canon EF-S 10-22mm USM lens contributes to both a focal range equivalent to 16-35mm in the 35mm format as well as a compact, lightweight design. The Canon EF-S 10-22 also realizes a minimum focusing distance of just 0.24 m throughout the entire zoom range. So the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 usm zoom lens features an environmentally conscious design that anticipates the EU’s RoHS Directive. A combination of advanced optical technologies, including Super UD (ultra-low dispersion) and spherical lenses, work to effectively correct a variety of aberrations for outstanding image quality throughout the zoom range.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Features:
• Compact and lightweight ultra-wide zoom lens specifically for digital SLR’s that accept EF-S lenses
• Uses optics designed to take full advantage of the small image circle and short back focus in EF-S lenses
• 10-22mm ultra-wide-angle zoom range (equivalent to 16-35mm in 135mm format)
• Inner focusing, ring USM and new AF algorithms for fast and quiet auto focusing
• Features three aspherical lens elements (two types) as well as a super-UD glass element for high image quality at all focal lengths
• Optimized lens coating minimizing flare and ghosting prone occurring with digital cameras
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.24m at all focal lengths
• Circular aperture for beautiful out-of-focus images
• Only environmentally friendly lead free glass used in optics

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM features an ultra-large aperture for a narrow depth of field and soft background blur so loved by photographers everywhere.

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a peerless standard lens. Its lens coating and construction are optimized to minimize the ghosting and flare that frequently occurs when lenses are used with digital cameras. This high-performance, weather-resistant Canon EF 50 lens delivers all the superb image resolution and contrast you expect in a Canon L Series Lens.

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a peerless new standard lens featuring an ultra-large aperture for a narrow depth of field and soft background blur so loved by photographers everywhere. The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is suitable for any shooting situation; the Canon EF 50 lens coating and construction are optimized to minimize the ghosting and flare that frequently occurs when lenses are used with digital cameras. This high-performance,weather-resistant lens delivers all the superb image

Canon EF 50mm Features

• Latest Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for fast and near silent auto focus
• Full-time manual focus override
• Super Spectra coatings and optimized lens element shaping to suppress flare and ghosting
• Environmental seals providing dust and moisture resistance
• Circular aperture diaphragm for beautifully even background bokeh and ‘removal’ of distracting backgrounds
• Distance information passed back to the new E-TTL II flash algorithm of all current model digital EOS cameras
• Minimum focus distance 45cm
• Lens hood and pouch included in the box.

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II at a mere 4.6 ounces, the lens boasts a traditional Gauss-type optical design that delivers a sharp performance even when wide open.
Lightweight and affordable, the Canon EF 50 lens has Gaussian optics that provides sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens provides an image that’s extremely close to how your eye perceives a subject, making it excellent for portraits and images that require a natural depth of field.

In addition, the lens focuses as close as 18 inches, helping you take extreme close-ups. Finally, the the Canon EF 50 lens offers an excellent color balance. As with all Canon lenses, the lens carries a one-year warranty.
This is the lightest Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens of all at a mere 4.6 oz. (130g). The Canon EF 50 is a compact and high-performance, standard lens. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens. The lens uses a linear extension system for focusing (similar to extension tubes) so the length of the lens changes according to the focus distance. The front element does not rotate during focusing. The minimal focus distance is 0.45m resulting in a max. magnification of 0.15x (~1:7). Manual focusing feels Ok. The focus ring, positioned at the very front, is very narrow so it’s not really convenient.

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II optical construction is made of just 6 elements in 5 groups without any special elements (not needed at this focal length). The the Canon EF 50 lens features 5 aperture blades. The filter size is 52mm. At just 130g it is an ultra light-weight lens and with a dimension of 68x41mm it’s also extremely compact. The build quality is sufficient to say it positive.

Key features:

•   Improved Auto focus speed over it’s predecessor
•   2 Aspherical elements for high image quality through the zoom range
•   1 UD element to effectively correct chromatic aberration at wide angle
•   Highly effective dust and moisture protection
•   Class leading minimum focus distance of only 38cm
•   Non-rotating front element during focus

The Canon 24-70 easily beats Canon consumer zooms (such as the Canon EF 24-85 Zoom Lens and the Canon EF 28-135 IS Zoom Lens) in direct sharpness and contrast comparisons. This new Canon 24-70 lens does what many pros thought couldn’t be done – replace the previous L-series 28-70 f/2.8 lens with something even better. Extended coverage to an ultra-wide-angle 24mm makes the Canon 24-70 ideal for digital as well as film shooters, and the optics are even better than before with two Aspherical elements and a totally new UD glass element.

Sporting a red Canon L series lens ring, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens’ build and mechanical quality are top of the line. The solid Canon EF 24-70 focuses quietly and very fast thanks to Ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor) that also facilitates FTM (Full-Time Manual) focusing. Focus and zoom rings are nicely-sized and operate smoothly. Weather sealing (when attached to a weather sealed body) completes the physical quality package.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens shows some barrel distortion on the wide end. More specifically, a bulge in the middle of the frame. Barrel distortion disappears around 35mm. A very slight pincushion distortion begins at 50mm and becomes moderate by 70mm. Color, contrast and saturation are excellent. CA (Chromatic Aberration) is very well controlled – especially for a zoom lens. The wide 8-blade aperture produces a nice quality background blur and a nice amount of it.

Image quality is not the only pro-grade feature of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens. Excellent AF is part of the equation. A Ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor) AF system delivers quiet, fast and accurate autofocus. The 24-70 L’s f/2.8 aperture enables the enhanced-sensitivity of many Canon EOS DSLR body’s AF points. As usual for a Ring USM AF system, FTM (Full-Time Manual) focusing is enabled. The 24-70 L does not extend with focus and the 77mm filter ring does not rotate.

The EF 24-70 L USM is the bread and butter wedding lens for many professional photographers. The 24-70mm focal length range allows a large group shot or a close-up picture of the bride without a lens change. With a fixed maximum f/2.8 aperture across the entire focal length range, this lens is easy to use and is as fast (wide aperture) as any Canon zoom lens made. Available light shots are possible indoors including in most churches (though a high ISO setting will usually be required). Wide open camera settings do not change with the focal length – allowing the photographer to focus on getting the job done.

The optical construction is made of 16 elements in 13 groups, including one UD elements and two aspherical elements. The elements are made of lead-free glass. The min. focus distance is 0.39m resulting is a max. object magnification of ~1:3.3 at 70mm. The lens features 8 circular aperture blades. The filter size is 77mm.

REVIEWS:

photozone.de reviews writes:

“The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 USM L proved to be a worthy representative of the pro grade lens league … if you can get a good sample. During the last two years four lenses has seen the lab with only one within specs – this is disappointing especially for a lens of this price class. If you´re lucky enough to get a decent sample you can expect a very high performance level, especially when stopped down a bit. Distortions, vignetting and CAs are well controlled. The build quality is superb with only the reverse zoom extension as a minor downside. Even so the 24-70mm range is not all that attractive on APS-C DSLRs (39-112mm) – the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS is a better and cheaper bet except regarding build quality.”

luminous-landscape.com reviews writes:

“Given that the old 28-70mm has long been considered a stellar performer — one of the most highly regarded mid-range fast zooms — to have it trumped so decisively by the new 24-70mm is quite a surprise. The timing of the release of this new lens is likely no accident, falling as it does simultaneous with the release of the ultra-high resolution Canon 1Ds. As I’ve noted elsewhere on this site and in my magazines reviews, the 1Ds’ resolution is so high that it is merciless in revealing the shortcoming of lenses. To extract maximum performance from a 1Ds only the finest lenses will do, and clearly Canon recognizes this with the release of the new 24-70mm f/2.8L zoom. Well done Canon!”

slrgear.com reviews writes:

“Spending a lot of money on a lens isn’t always a guarantee of good performance, but in the case of the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8, every penny of its price is more than justified.”

steveplacephotography.com writes:

“It’s not cheap, coming in with a street price of around $1,200 used, and $1,550 new. You really would only buy it if you need f/2.8, otherwise the very sharp 24-105 is a fantastic lens. But when you beed f/2.8, you NEED f/2.8. Focal length would be great if it went a pinch further on the long end, but not a deal breaker. Some people will complain about weight, and copy variations however, do your homework and test samples when you can.”

 

Specifications:

FEATURES:

• L-series quality
  The L-series is Canon’s flagship professional lens range, representing the best in precision-designed EF optics. L-series lenses combine superior performance with superlative handling, and are resistant to dust and moisture.
• Lightweight and versatile
  The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM offers a 4.3x zoom ratio, from wide angle to medium telephoto. It is highly portable, weighing just 670g.
• Fixed aperture
  The f/4 maximum aperture of the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is fixed throughout the lens’ focal-length range, so shutter speeds will not change as the lens is zoomed.
• Image Stabilizer
  The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM features Canon’s three-stop Image Stabilizer (IS), making it ideal for handheld work. IS permits the use of shutter speeds up to three stops slower than normal, with no perceptible increase in image blur from camera shake.
• Super UD and aspherical lens elements
  The lens incorporates a Super UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass element to eliminate secondary chromatic aberrations. Aspherical lens elements correct for spherical aberrations. The result is crisp, high-contrast, undistorted optical performance throughout the zoom range, without colour fringing at high-contrast edges.
• Ultrasonic focusing
  A ring-type ultrasonic motor drives autofocus extremely quickly, and in near silence. Excellent holding torque ensures the point of focus is reached accurately, without overshooting. Furthermore, full-time manual override is available, making it possible to adjust focus without leaving AF mode.
• Super Spectra coating
  Super Spectra coatings ensure accurate colour balance and enhance contrast. They also reduce flare and ghosting – a common problem caused by light bouncing off a camera’s sensor.
• Smooth background blur
  A virtually circular aperture diaphragm gives out of focus regions a softer, more uniform feel. Sharp foreground objects stand out against a smooth blurred background.
• Accessories
  A petal shaped hood and soft case are included.

Canon EF 24-105mm IS lens is easy-to-use standard zoom lens can cover a large zoom area ranging from 24mm wide-angle to 105mm portrait-length telephoto, and its Image Stabilizer Technology steadies camera shake up to three stops.

Constructed with one Super-UD glass element and three spherical lenses, this lens minimizes chromatic aberration and distortion. The result is excellent picture quality, even at wide apertures. Canon’s ring-type USM gives silent but quick AF, along with full-time manual focus. Moreover, with dust- and moisture-resistant construction, this is a durable yet sophisticated lens that meets the demands of advanced amateur photographers and professional photographers alike.

The Canon EF 24-105mm IS USM lens a lightweight with Image Stabilizer.
Just and moisture resistant and incorporating Canon’s very finest standards of precision optics, the Canon EF 24-105 is designed for reportage, event, travel and celebrity photographers looking for a lightweight and maneuverable lens with minimal image quality compromise.
The Canon EF 24-105mm IS is designed for professional photographers requiring a light zoom lens with a fixed aperture throughout the zoom range. The Canon EF 24-105 has Image Stabilizer (IS) dramatically reduces image blur caused by camera shake. Gyro sensors detect unwanted vibrations, triggering the corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. The 3 stop advantage means that photographers normally shooting a 105mm lens handheld at 1/125 sec can obtain a shake free result with a shutter speed as low as 1/15 sec, for vastly extended options in low light conditions.

The lens produces very good to excellent resolution figures under lab conditions. On an APS-C DSLR the performance is best between 24mm and 70mm where the center resolution is truely excellent throughout the tested aperture range. The borders follow closely behind with very good figures at f/4 and also excellent results beyond. At 105mm there’s a slight decrease in quality down to a very good center and good+ boders at f/4. Stopping down helps to boost quality but the local peak quality isn’t reached prior of f/11. All-in-all this is a very impressive performance for a 4.4x zoom lens.

The ring-type USM motor found in the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM employs ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive auto focus with unrivaled speed and near-silent operation. A powerful CPU and improved AF algorithm contribute to speed performance. Good holding torque stops the lens with precision and accuracy, the instant it arrives at the correct focus point and without overshoot. Photographers can choose manual focus instantly and at any time simply by moving the manual focus ring without first having to switch out of auto focus mode.

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM offers the highest possible optical quality with no change in aperture over the full focal range of the lens.
It is the perfect lens for professional photographers looking for a lightweight and extended zoom alternative to its EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM counterpart. To limit lens size and improve image clarity over the total image area, an Ultra-Low Dispersion glass (UD) element is used to eliminate the secondary chromatic aberrations that otherwise reduce sharpness and introduce color fringing. Spherical lens elements correct spherical aberration for crisp, high contrast corner-to-corner quality. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural color balance.

The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM includes distance metering information, providing compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system of late model cameras such as the EOS-1D Mark II N and EOS 5D. When used in conjunction with Canon’s range of EX Speedlite flash units, the lens passes distance information to the flash algorithm for markedly improved flash exposure metering. To match the weather resistance afforded by EOS-1 professional camera bodies, an O-ring seals the lens against the lens mount and numerous seals around the lens’ moving components provide protection against the ingress of dust and moisture.

REVIEWS:

ephotozine.com reviews writes:

“If your style of shooting will benefit more from a larger zoom range, than a brighter aperture, this lens is most certainly worth a look. It seems like great value also for the performance and features you get for the price.”

fredmiranda.com reviews writes:

“This easy-to-use standard zoom lens can cover a large zoom area ranging from 24mm wide-angle to 105mm portrait-length telephoto, and its Image Stabilizer Technology steadies camera shake up to three stops. Constructed with one Super-UD glass element and three aspherical lenses, this lens minimizes chromatic aberration and distortion. The result is excellent picture quality, even at wide apertures. Canon’s ring-type USM gives silent but quick AF, along with full-time manual focus. Moreover, with dust- and moisture-resistant construction, this is a durable yet sophisticated lens that meets the demands of advanced amateur photographers and professional photographers alike.”

the-digital-picture.com reviews writes:

“Price, build quality and image quality differences will likely not affect the purchase decision of many. Both lenses are very sharp. Both lenses have good color and contrast. The 24-105 L has less light fall-off wide open than does the 24-70 L wide open, but the 24-70 has a slight advantage at comparable apertures. The 24-105 L has slightly less CA than the 24-70 L. Both are very good in this regard only showing CA in harsh situations at their widest focal lengths.”

cameralabs.com reviews writes:

“The EF 24-105mm performed well across its range, particularly in terms of corner sharpness at wide angle, while essentially matching our EF 85mm f1.8 prime in terms of resolving power when both were mounted on an EOS 5D body. We were also impressed with the Image Stabilisation which allowed us to handhold at much slower shutter speeds than normal. Compared to lenses designed for bodies with smaller sensors though, it suffered from a worse degree of light fall-off, but this is par for the course for wide-angle lenses designed for full-frame bodies.”

luminous-landscape.com reviews writes:

“I’m a nature and wildlife photographer. Linear distortion is not a big deal most of the time, and vignetting is easily compensated for in Camera Raw. On the other hand, weight and size are issues that interest me, my neck and my back! And as I age, I find IS increasingly valuable even at modest focal lengths. So for me, the new lens is a no-brainer, especially when I don’t have to accept any less resolution, – and I get an extra 35 mm of reach!”

Specifications:

The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS a lightweight general-purpose zoom lens. The Canon EF-S 18-55 is deal for handheld photography in a wide range of lighting conditions.

Designed exclusively for the EOS Digital Rebel, the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens offers precision and quality.

It is compact, lightweight, and covers the standard zoom range of approx. 28-90mm (in 35mm format) with smooth operation and superb resolution. The standard zoom Canon EF-S 18-55 lens is dedicated to EOS 300D and EOS 20D / 28mm to 90mm Zoom Equivalent in 35mm film mode Minimum focusing distance of 0.28m at all focal lengths Circular aperture for beautiful out-of-focus images Only environmentally friendly lead free glass used in optics.

Offering high optical quality, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens has an 11 element, 9 group construction, including one spherical element for crisp corner-to-corner detail. The Canon EF-S 18-55 lens maintains a closest focusing distance of just 25cm throughout the zoom range, giving photographs the flexibility to frame up close when needed.

Canon’s latest optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology provides up to 4-stop compensation for image blur caused by camera shake and slow shutter speeds. Photographers normally shooting handheld at 1/250 sec can switch on IS to obtain a similarly steady and blur-free result with a shutter speed of just 1/15 second. To ensure consistently accurate results at all zoom positions, the IS system within the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens has been optimized for the specific focal length range. Since the IS system is based within the Canon EF-S 18-55 lens, the results are visible through the viewfinder when framing the image.
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens also incorporates a circular aperture. The Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens also employs Canon’s patented Super Spectra coatings to suppress flare and ghosting more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural color balance.

Features:

• 18-200mm focal range is a 35mm equivalent of 29-320mm
• Optical Image Stabilization (IS) good for 4-stops of hand-holding shutter speed reduction
• Minimum focusing distance of 1.5 feet (0.45 meters
• A front element that does not rotate when zooming, keeping your polarizer filter in it’s proper position

The Canon EFS 18-200mm IS features a 16 element, 12 group construction. This includes UD and spherical lens elements, which minimize chromatic aberration and ensure crisp, corner-to-corner detail across the zoom range. A close focusing distance of just 45cm offers photographers total framing flexibility.
The Canon EFS 18-200mm is covers a focal length equivalent to 29-320mm in 35mm format but weighs only 595 grams. Built-in image stabilization provides approximately four f-stops of shutter speed advantage and the stabilization system can detect when the camera is panned.

The Canon EFS 18-200mm IS is designed exclusively for use with EOS cameras featuring an EF-S lens mount including the new EOS 50D, EOS 1000D, EOS 450D, and earlier models. Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens made from environmentally friendly lead-free glass and contains UD glass and aspheric elements.

The build quality of the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens is about average and typical for low-end Canon products. The plastic quality is relatively decent as are the build tolerances. The lens uses a so-called duo-cam system in order to extend the optics when zooming towards the long end of the zoom range – surprisingly there’s no wobbling of the inner tubes even at the 200mm setting here.

The zoom ring operates pretty smooth whereas the focus ring feels cheap. The intended target audience will usually prefer to use AF so that’s probably forgivable. It is somewhat annoying though that the focus ring rotates during AF operations. Fortunately Canon managed to keep a static front element so it’s no problem to use polarizers. The tested sample suffered a bit from zoom creeping so the transport lock (18mm only) may come handy at times.

At the time Canon announced the lens the community was somewhat stunned in disbelief because the lens uses a conventional AF micro-motor (DC) rather than the typical Canon USM or at least micro-USM. However, the AF speed is generally fine as is the AF accuracy (on the 50D). There’s no FTM (full-time manual focusing) though. The 18-200mm features an Optical Image Stabilizer with an efficiency of up to 4-stops – at least according to Canon. In the real life it seems to be a little less so make it a 3 stop advantage outside of lab conditions.

The EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5. USM IS Lens incorporates Canon’s 4-stop compensation Image Stabilizer technology. This allows the use of shutter speeds up to 4 times slower with no perceptible increase in image blur. Automatic panning detection automatically turns off the Image Stabilizer in either the horizontal or vertical direction when following moving subjects.

REVIEWS:

ephotozine.com reviews writes:

“Overall this lens offers a good quality compromise for those looking for a convenient alternative to carrying multiple lenses. Sharpness levels hold up well for a lens of this type and the four-stop image stabiliser greatly increases the usability of this lens making it a perfect travel companion.”

 slrgear.com reviews writes:

“On its own, it’s a decent lens, but users considering replacing a kit 18-55mm IS lens with this model should consider the 55-250mm IS if they’re not adverse to switching lenses, and have room for it in their bag. Between the two-lens combination there’s as much and more range covered, and the optical performance between the two lenses exceeds that of the 18-200mm IS. But if you absolutely can only bring one lens, then you won’t be let down by the 18-200mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS.”

the-digital-picture.com reviews writes:

“The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens offers a great focal length range and excellent image stabilization in a compact package. There are going to be a lot of people traveling with this lens. And at the same time, the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens as a kit or general purpose lens makes a lot of sense. The convenience value of this lens is very high.”

photozone.de reviews writes:

“Canon had a somewhat weird timing regarding the release of their EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. It is extremely difficult to design such a lens to start with and more so under low-cost requirements. Combine these side conditions with the rather extreme quality requirements of a high resolution APS-C DSLR a la EOS 50D (@ 15mp) and this sounds like trouble. The Canon lens has a couple of weak spots. At 18mm the border resolution is soft and heavy vignetting, extreme barrel distortion and CA problems don’t help either. The situation improves significantly at 24mm and 50mm before deteriorating again towards the long end of the range. The situation would have been a bit different a couple of years ago when the sensor requirements were lower but combined with the EOS 50D the lens is somewhat outdated straight from the start. Better look elsewhere unless you still intend to use an older generation DSLR for a while.”

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