Is your 18-135 great or 'just OK'

I'm mainly using the industry standard L series zooms and popular primes that are known good performers.

I bought a second hand young EF-S 18-135mm IS STM as a lightweight do all carry out which I use on Non 'photography specific' trips out based on some decent reviews from reviewers who generally get it right

It's reaffirmed the popular opinion that there isn't a 'do all' lens. I'm not happy with the sharpness, or the geometry at the wide end, although the build quality is reasonable.

OK, it's not L series but I was expecting a bit better from a 400 quid Canon lens.

Any thoughts, or is it a dumper

I had the original 18-135 IS. I thought it was a pig. Mediocre IQ, slow AF; the usual 'kit' lens. I never tried the STM version, but it is reportedly much better wrt IQ. My 'every day' lens for the 80D is the 18-135 USM. Focus is a good as the 70-200 f/4L wrt speed and accuracy, in One-Shot and Servo. My only complaint is the distortion at the wide end, but c'mon, it is a 7X zoom. All in all, no big issues. I like my 18-135 USM.

I had the original 18-135 and the 18-200 that I used on my 600D......loved them both. Did everything well and had great IQ.

I have the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM, and often use it with the T3i. It performs well. I have no issues with the image quality out of this lens.

I have the 18-135 STM which lives on my T3i and the 18-135 USM that I use for outdoor sports on my 7D. I have had very good luck with both of the lenses. Usually any issue with IQ is due to by hobby-level skills.

This image is with the STM version

IMAGE LINK: https://troybracker.sm​ugmug.com …2017/n-8KxT69/i-nxp2ttv/A

Without seeing the full size file this looks better than I'm getting.
I'll take it out this weekend and give it some 'dead cert' shots and see if it delivers.

I have the STM Version coming in the mail.. Ill post back with my findings..

I used the STM extensively last fall for sports photos before purchasing the USM version over the winter. I had a chance to use it just a bit so far so not as much experience with it yet.

I have the STM version ... I think it's awesome. Very sharp. I mostly use it to shoot my son's soccer games.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/25Ms​9Gq

Group shot of XC

IMAGE LINK: https://troybracker.sm​ugmug.com …2017/n-8KxT69/i-BLP3Kwf/A

It does pretty good with close ups too.

IMAGE LINK: https://troybracker.sm​ugmug.com …lery/n-4qjsDB/i-563GQrx/A

I don't see which body you are using it on. Could it just be needing some MFA to match to the body a bit better? I know that's been the case for a number of my lenses on the 7DI & II and 5DIV bodies

Thanks for your input and images.
Clearly a lot of you are getting your value for money from this glass.
I've worked with it closely over the past few shoots and am getting better results. I'm finding it pays to wait for the IS to settle, holding off the shot for a couple of seconds until it kicks in fully.
I've got too many lenses! You don't get enough time with each one to really get to know them.
Hang on - You can't have too many lenses can you?

I sometimes wonder why I bought this lens since it has lain largely unused in my bag, which is silly really because it's a fine lens. I think what puts me off is that it consistently delivers shots that are underexposed compared to my other lenses and I haven't learnt to counter this automatically. I certainly don't get the sort of exposures shown in the shots above. I expect it just needs a systematic ETTR.

I bought a used 7D from a friend and he had the 18-135 STM that he threw in with the sale. I have a T3i so I now mostly use the STM version on that body and was so happy with the images that I had gotten, I purchased the USM version as my “basic” lens for the 7D, so I actually own both versions. Have not had a chance to take as many photos with the USM version yet. So far, IQ seems to be just as good and the focus is a bit faster.