is the current 18-55 IS in production really sharper?

ive heard from several people that the new 18-55 IS thats comes with the t3i or other new cameras is improved and sharper. is that true? and how would i determine if im looking for one on ebay or something if its the new lens?

namtot wrote in post #12179256
ive heard from several people that the new 18-55 IS thats comes with the t3i or other new cameras is improved and sharper. is that true? and how would i determine if im looking for one on ebay or something if its the new lens?

Here ya go but you better hurry !

http://cgi.ebay.com …enses&hash=item​4aaa1509fb

I thought the new one from with the T3i is simply the mark II of the original one, aka 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II. However, the word is the only change is cosmetic and the inside is exactly the same.

Silverfox1 wrote in post #12179700
Here ya go but you better hurry !

http://cgi.ebay.com …enses&hash=item​4aaa1509fb

That is the old 18-55mm IS Mk I version.

Here is what the new 18-55mm IS II looks like beside the old lens.

as you can see here, the MK II blows away the MK I
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=3​&APIComp=0

actually his first copy looks a little better...honestly i wouldn't really worry about which one you get, just get the one that gives you the best deal

DreDaze wrote in post #12180816
as you can see here, the MK II blows away the MK I
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=3​&APIComp=0

actually his first copy looks a little better...

Interesting.... I thought they were pretty close but the Mk I looked a little better at the wide end, and the Mk II looked a little better at the long end.

Did anyone else see that?

the corner are very telling at 18mm

These could very well just be copy-to-copy variations.

shoturtle wrote in post #12181074
the corner are very telling at 18mm

I think for the most part, the mk I has sharper corners.

My mistake on the e-bay link forgetting they have a newer version out now.

I know i still have the previous version 18-55mm IS and using the sweetspot of 35mm and f5.6 will produce some pretty decent IQ across the frame:

Adjust the scaler below and see the results which i find to be true at 35mm/f5.6 :

http://www.slrgear.com …t.php/product/1​114/cat/11

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=3​&APIComp=2

Regards,

I really like the SLRGear graphs. They make it very easy to visualize the IQ of the lens at various focal lengths and apertures. Just slide the bar and look for the "Sweet Spot".

SLRGear Review: http://www.slrgear.com …t.php/product/1​114/cat/11

SLRGear graph: http://www.slrgear.com …18-55f35-56is/tloader.htm

(screen capture only)

+1 ^^^^

Plus Mike, i have always found them to be pretty darn accurate to any lens copy i purchased using their test results pertinent to the graphs they post.

I have always used them when either just researching or actually determining a lens purchase if they have tested it.

Regards,

Since Canon have said that there is no difference in the optics between the lenses, either there is significant manufacturing variation or the test results are unreliable.

None of the possible explanations are particularly heartening.