New 18-135mm STM might be sharper than 15-85

I yawned a bit at the 18-135m STM release and especially the $550 price tag. The older 18-135mm is decent, but not amazing and I figured this was just a re-release with the new AF. Looking at the MTF charts from Canon, it seems the optics got a HUGE bump in performance.

Check these out at let me know what you think.

interesting, but i have trouble translating those graphs into real world performance. seen any shots that clearly demonstrate one is better?

I don't think anyone has this lens yet. I was just speculating that it might be a better lens that we'd think at first glance.

The old one is good, I'd imagine this is a big upgrade, especially with the silent autofocus. The MTF charts look good but as rick said, I can't really translate that into an image in my head.

The MTF curves look impressive for the new 18-135mm. But lets wait and see what will be the real life performance.

I have read somewhere (but cannot find the link) that the New 18-135mm STM lens is equal to the 24-105mm f/4L IS lens in image quality.

However, the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 STM only makes use of the STM capability on a body which supports STM (right now only the T4i does this).

The 18-135mm STM when used on any camera except the T4i uses Arc Form Drive rather than USM focusing. I don't know if this is true with the 18-135mm STM lens.

Arc Form Drive is definitely slower than USM as evidenced by my 135mm f/2.8 SF lens whose Arc Form Drive is considerably slower in AF speed than my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens at 135mm. The f/4L IS lens, of course, uses USM focusing.

RPCrowe, I think you are PSA-ing right here. STM is the focus motor type. It's an STM lens no matter what body you use it on. That's the only motor it has. Arc form hasn't been used since the early 90s and USM is an entirely different type of motor altogether.

I think you might be confusing it with the continuous video AF feature that is only available with STM lenses and probably only available on the T4i right now.

RPCrowe wrote in post #14609152
However, the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 STM only makes use of the STM capability on a body which supports STM (right now only the T4i does this).

The 18-55mm STM when used on any camera except the T4i uses Arc Form Drive rather than USM focusing. I don't know if this is true with the 18-135mm STM lens.

What is this 18-55 STM you speak of? First I have heard of it.

Also from what I have been reading, I think STM AF focusing works with any EOS camera but only the T41 can take full advantage of it in a new video AF mode. Is that not correct?

Very nice.

It's the same motor as the new 40mm pancake released last week. Primarily designed for video AF with the new 650D (which I've ordered for the wife) but usable on all dslr's for stills and video. The silent motor will be beneficial for everyone shooting video on any dslr though and the 18-135 will be great with its updated optics for video especially.
Not heard of an 18-55 STM being released, but I can't really see the point of it with the 18-135 coming out. I'm looking forward to trying the video functions on the 650D as I've only taken around 30 seconds of video so far and if it's that good I may get one or the other lenses to go with it.

If this lens is parfocal then it'll probably find its way into my bag as a video lens. I reckon that the focal length range, super-IS, FTM focusing and a reasonable price will make it too tempting. I may even end up selling the 24-105.

Is this lens for sale yet

Nascar Nut wrote in post #14617327
Is this lens for sale yet

No.

Any idea when it might go on sale?

Canon rep told me the new camera with 18-135 STM would be available in two to three weeks. Whether the lens will be available at that time separately I don't know.