Upgrade worth it? 18-55 kit vs 18-55 IS

I had to sell all my lenses quite awhile back. I wasn't able to sell my old body and kit lens. I'm considering purchasing a new lens and easy my way back into the waters. So I have an 18-55 kit lens. I was thinking maybe an 18-55 IS might be a nice 1st lens to buy keeping costs lower. Back when I was shooting I was using a 24-70L but people always commented on how nice the 18-55 IS was for its price and how it worked very nicely with the 55-250IS? Do you think this is a reasonable way to go or perhaps there is another lens I should be thinking about? Would appreciate any opinions. Tia.

there are a lot of 18-55 lenses that could fit either of your descriptions:

https://en.wikipedia.o​rg …EF-S_18%E2%80%9355mm_lens

let us know exactly what you are talking about and what you hope to do with the lens.

FWIW, i would probably skip any of them and go straight for something like the Tamron 17-50 2.8

The 18-55mm IS STM and 55-250mm IS STM versions are the newest, and are very high quality for the price you pay.

Check Canon's refurb section- they do nice deals on them regularly. Make sure you are selecting the STM versions, not just IS.

I'd take an 18-55 STM over the competition in this range. I had the Tamron 17-50, it hunts in only moderately low light, needs f/4 to be sharp at 50mm, and cost too much. The 17-55 still commands way too much money. Get the 18-55 STM, and a 50 STM for when you need aperture. Used, you can get both of them for about $150, total.

Qlayer2 wrote in post #18066570
The 18-55mm IS STM and 55-250mm IS STM versions are the newest, and are very high quality for the price you pay.

Check Canon's refurb section- they do nice deals on them regularly. Make sure you are selecting the STM versions, not just IS.

You're absolutely right
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Even the first version of the 18-55IS is superior optically to the old non-IS version. The STM version is a substantial upgrade over the micro USM version as well.

Go for the STM!!

Or S.T.M. F.T.W.

The only disadvantage of the STM is the focus-by-wire motor, correct?

frugivore wrote in post #18086000
The only disadvantage of the STM is the focus-by-wire motor, correct?

I don't see that as a disadvantage. The 18-55mm STM has some distortion and chromatic aberration, but both of these effects are easy to correct in post.

Archibald wrote in post #18086019
I don't see that as a disadvantage. The 18-55mm STM has some distortion and chromatic aberration, but both of these effects are easy to correct in post.

I'm referring to when you need to manually focus. I don't often do this, but I prefer manually focusing with USM/DC motors over STM.

Kumakichi wrote in post #18066523
Do you think this is a reasonable way to go or perhaps there is another lens I should be thinking about? Would appreciate any opinions. Tia.

I would consider the 18-135 STM, instead of the 18-55 STM, as one lens solution.

I've updated mine by a Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, it is stabilized and very sharp wide open, and the extra light is a great advantage.

We spread examples

frugivore wrote in post #18086023
I'm referring to when you need to manually focus. I don't often do this, but I prefer manually focusing with USM/DC motors over STM.

What don't you like about manually focusing with STM lenses?

Like you, I rarely use MF, but the slight difference in feel is easy to overlook due the other advantages of the STM version.

STM lenses are better than the comparable Micro Motor versions because:

1) STM AF is faster and quieter.

2) The front element does not rotate on the 18-55mm STM.

3) The STM versions are sharper than the Micro Motor versions.

4) The STM version has a nice petal hood.

msowsun wrote in post #18087369
What don't you like about manually focusing with STM lenses?

Like you, I rarely use MF, but the slight difference in feel is easy to overlook due the other advantages of the STM version.

STM lenses are better than the comparable Micro Motor versions because:

1) STM AF is faster and quieter.

2) The front element does not rotate on the 18-55mm STM.

3) The STM versions are sharper than the Micro Motor versions.

I agree that the STM versions are better overall. But don't you need to half-press the shutter button before you can activate the AF on STM lenses? Maybe I'm mistaken. I'll try this when I get home tonight.