Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsDecent, but not great
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2019
I know this is a cheaper lens, so I am reviewing this with that in mind. It is great for a quick fix that I needed it for until I can afford something better, but there are some major issues for the type of shooting I do that I've noticed.
The worst part is that the focus ring is indefinite. It takes 2-3 full rotations to fully go from one focus point to the next, which should only be an issue on bigger zoom lenses. And even then, I've shot on bigger zoom lenses that only took 1.5 rotations. It is not good for "run and gun" shooting where you have to be on point with focus consistently. Also not good for non-tripod shooting. There ARE zoom lenses I've used many times that are great for run and gun shooting, so it's a lens issue rather than an improper use of equipment for the job. And I've used cheap zoom lenses too that work, so not a price point issue either.
My cheapest canon lens has been my favorite, because of the half-turn focus ring. (It only takes half a rotation to fully focus from one end to the other and it's quick with little resistance) and that one is 18-135, so a similar range. Overall, definitely worth it if you need something quick and/or are saving for something nicer. The image quality is good. I also like how small and light it is. I travel and hike/boat/ATV/run for a lot of shoots, so size and weight are always factors.
