standard 350d lense - EF-S 18-55 is it rubbish??

Hello,

I am a newbie to SLR photography and just purchased a 350d and it came with the standard EF-S 18-55mm lenses. After looking into lenses prices and not realasing how expensive they are im just wondering how cheap this standard lenses canon provides with the 350d?

I was just curious to know if the standard lenses that is provide is any good (for beginner slr photography), or a piece of rubbish?? because the prices i have seen for lenses are pretty expensive and if it is rubbish ill just toss away the lenses and buy some decent ones...

ive been looking into getting a Wide-angle lenses and a Macro and i know they are completely different lenses but even other 18-55mm lenses can be expensive.

If someone could give me a professional opinion that would be very much appreciated

Well how about a un-professional opinion. I think the kit lens is a decent lens. Don't throw it away. It's a good general purpose lens which will give you some nice pictures. As you learn more you'll be able to decide which lens you may want to upgrade to or add to your collection. This forum is a great place to learn from.

I can't give you a professional opinion as I am definately in the amateur category! Anyway, the 18-55 isn't particularly nice to use but stopped down a bit it isn't too bad optically, especially if you are as you say a beginner in the world of SLR photography. I would recommend that you use it whilst you get to grips with the camera and different settings then when you are ready to buy yourself a new lens you will be better informed as to exactly what you want. Have fun!

I took three hundred pictures in the Alps this summer with the 18-55 lens. On very close inspection lots of them would have been better if Ihad used a more expensive lens. But I had enormous pleasure taking them and the 7x5 prints look fine.

You will have lots to learn about photography and digital photography techniques and you can learn them just as easily with a modest lens as a more expensive one.

Go and enjoy the 18-55. Then perhaps you will have a better idea of what you want in the way of a better lens: lightweight, zoom, macro, etc.

Have fun

Geoffrey Pocock

Everyone.. thanks for your quick response... good to get afew peoples opinions in such a short amount of time

Question for Geoffrey - interesting you mentioned you took photos of alps, because i am pretty much just interested in doing nature/landscape pics at the moment. Would you have any of these pictures online as an example?? would be good to see what the lenses is capable of..

I can give you a an unprofessional opinion.

"A professional would never use it professionally". (I think, LOL)

That said, when people consider the make of the lens & it's intention (it was never intended to be as sharp as an "L" lens, that's why it's so cheap) & then work within it limitations, you will get some great shots

Incredibly coinsidental but I took my 18-55 USM II, 18-200 and 20mm 2.8 USM and did a little test shot last night. Shooting at f 6.3 I took a tripod pic using mirror lockup and set all lenses at 20mm to make it fair. The 18-200 was so soft I could use it as a pillow at night. Suprisingly I could find no obvious difference between the 20mm and the 18-55. Bearning in mind the 18-55 you can pick up for a 6th of the price of the 20mm I though it was good doing.

Didn't bring the pics with me but I cuold post some crops later.

The only question is build, the kit lens is cack, the focusing ring moves about even in AF mode and the USM isn't a real MF/AF USM. But if it comes with the camera it is worth hanging on to as a light weight easy to carry addition.

My 2c

Used within it's limitations the 18-55 mm lens will provide you with acceptable pictures.
it cannot be compared to an "L" lens but it isa not as bad as what some people want you to believe.
I have had mine 5 months and have managed to get a lot of excellent shots and some not so good as well. Some of the bad shots can be attributed to the lens but most of them are a result of operator error.
It is not a fast lens and produces better shots when stopped down.
Befor spending a lot of money on new lenses spend some time shooting with this one and getting used to your camera. Try it under diferent conditions and see if the results are acceptable to you.
Once you have determined what type of photography you want to do primarily then check out the threads on lenses and make your decision.
There are many threads discussing this lens and you may want to consult them as well.
Here are a cople of shots that show what the lens can do.

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Here is a comparison of the 17-85, 18-55, 17-40L.
http://www.cameralabs.​com …/Canon1785EFS/p​age2.shtml

I don't have this but a buddy pointed me to this forum where this guy has some great results from the 18-55:
http://forums.clubsnap​.org/showthread.php?t=​166585

The lens is ok.

The 18-55 is much maligned. It is a great lens for the money. It isn't razor sharp but neither is a 28-135IS at much more money. Use it, enjoy it, upgrade if you want to when you have used it a while.

i like mine.

In my experience most who give any lens a bad review do so mostly because they try to use it outside its intended purpose. If you use the kit lens within its intended boundaries it can be a good lens. Search the forum to find some amazing pictures taken with this lens as well as the ones posted above. As you proceed in photography you may find it not to be flexible enough for you, but for a beginning lens it is good.

verty wrote:
Everyone.. thanks for your quick response... good to get afew peoples opinions in such a short amount of time

Question for Geoffrey - interesting you mentioned you took photos of alps, because i am pretty much just interested in doing nature/landscape pics at the moment. Would you have any of these pictures online as an example?? would be good to see what the lenses is capable of..

None at present but I am getting round to it. When I upload, I will let you know

Best Wishes

Geoffrey