Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens for EOS Digital SLR Rebel XT, XTI, 20D & 30D Digital Cameras

by Canon

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000R96FP8
• Item model number: EF-S 18-55mm II
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #74 in Camera & Photo > Lenses > Camera Lenses
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 24, 2007

Product Description

Canon's redesigned compact EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II autofocus zoom lens (approximately a 28-90mm lens in 35mm format) is smaller and lighter than conventional lenses because of the shorter back focus distance. By reducing the distance from the rear of the lens to the imaging sensor and reducing the size of the image circle to accommodate the camera's imaging sensor size, the lens produces high image quality with superb resolution at all focal lengths. By optimizing the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens coatings, Canon's engineers have effectively minimized the chance of flare and ghosting which are more prone to occur with digital cameras than with film cameras. The coatings reduce reflections off the rear of the lens to deliver crisp, undistorted digital images. By optimizing the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens coatings, Canon's engineers have effectively minimized the chance of flare and ghosting which are more prone to occur with digital cameras than with film cameras. The coatings reduce reflections off the rear of the lens to deliver crisp, undistorted digital images. >>> Note on packaging: This is a lens that was originally packaged with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi Digital SLR Camera, and never included its own Manufacturer's outer box. It still includes ALL original accessories (the Canon full Warranty Card, Instruction Manuals and Lens Caps). This lens is all BRAND NEW and has NEVER been used.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK starter lens, but there are better choices, April 20, 2008

By 

S. Michael (Conyers, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens for EOS Digital SLR Rebel XT, XTI, 20D & 30D Digital Cameras (Electronics)

I agree totally with the other reviewers who say that it's fine for basic "snapshots" but that's about all. If you're simply looking to step up to a Digital SLR from a point and shoot, then buy the Canon Digital Rebel XT kit that comes with this lens. It's lightweight and fine for nice quality landscapes and snapshots. This however would NOT be my first choice.

If you want exceptional pictures or if you think that you might ever step up to a nicer camera, buy only the camera body and get an images stabilized all purpose lens like the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens. This lens will let you take hand held pictures that will be sharp 2 whole shutter speeds slower than a non-stabilized lens will. The zoom range will allow every thing from nice wide angle landscapes at the lower end to moderate telephoto and excellent portraits at the higher magnification end.

You'll probably end up keeping this on your camera as your default lens. I have an IS 75-300 and a 60mm macro that I use on occasion, but the 28-135 is my workhorse.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid basic lens, akward when used with polarizing filter, August 21, 2007

By 

Steven Stiles (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens for EOS Digital SLR Rebel XT, XTI, 20D & 30D Digital Cameras (Electronics)

I purchased this lens after buying an EOS 30D body-only, and discovering that the 1.6 crop factor was far too severe for my shooting requirements and existing EF lenses. This lens was intended to be used as the equivalent of my old EF 28-105mm, and in wide angle, it does an extremely good job getting me just as wide as I'm used to going, plus just a bit more, even if I don't get quite the reach on the zoom end even after the 1.6 crop factor.

Intending to use it as a knock-around low-end lens, I bought mine used, and couldn't be happier with what I got for the price, and frankly was amazed at the sharpness and clarity and comparable quality of image I'm getting as compared to my more expensive EF lenses.

The only awkward thing about this lens is that the focal ring is on the outer edge of the lens. If you use a polarizing filter, where the orientation of the filter is critical, you'll find that the act of focusing will spin the filter along with the focal ring. There's not enough resistance on the focal ring to allow for filter adjustment after AF has been locked on target. In essence, this renders this lens incompatible for use with any sort of adjustable filter.

This is easily my lightest weight lens I now own. It feels like nothing at all at the end of my camera, which took some getting used to. Despite good performance, feels a bit like a toy, like something you'd expect to screw onto a Kiddie camera not a Canon.

This lens is plenty quiet and quick focusing for my needs although a quieter, faster fousing USM version is also available.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a $229.99 Lens!!!, August 22, 2008

By 

Billy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens for EOS Digital SLR Rebel XT, XTI, 20D & 30D Digital Cameras (Electronics)

This is an adequate lens but the new kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS) for the 450D/Rebel XSi sells for $137.80 on its own...and that lens has image stabilization! Looking at the prices for the 400D/Rebel XTi with and without this lens, the price for this lens is around $40-$80.

The folks who are selling this lens at this price must be laughing pretty hard each time they make a sale.