Regarding the Kit Lens

Well, I must say..... I Just spent an enjoyable 30 minutes looking at all the photos in the 'Best Images With Kit Lens Archive' topic and I am very impressed with what I saw.

I can appreciate that it is not the best lens or that it might not be your favorite lens but there are some really excellent, if not superb pictures in there and now I am sure I will get my XTi with the kit lens and then go from there.

You won't regret it. I really enjoyed it when I first got my XT last year. Good luck with the purchase and happy shooting!

its a great starter lens. it was my first zoom lens and I learned a lot from it.

I was just reading another thread and I just don't understand the people that talk about not being satisfied with the kit lens. I went back for a second look at the kit lens archive and I bet that in a blind test many of those people would not be able to tell the difference between a shot with the kit lens and so many of the other lenses mentioned.

I think some just can't get past the fact that it is the 'kit' lens and perhaps that holds a negative stigma but I am not sure what it is they are not liking.

On some of those pictures they are clear as day, sharp as hell, crisp, vibrant colors, great contrast... I can't knock the product based on those pictures.

I can, on the other hand, see how if the lens did not have a good feel or was awkward to use, then it would not be good for those reasons but most people that are not happy are referring to image quality.

Oh well, I don't think I am going to have a problem and I bet I will love it as I research what my second lens will be.

Peopel are not satisfied with the kit lens for their own reasons. I moved up and along because I wanted a faster lens, which the kit lens is quite slow! The picture quality wasn't bad by any means. But as COCOPUFFS and most other people will state, it's a GREAT starter lens to point you in the right direction. I wanted a longer zoom, and faster aperture, so I went 28-75 2.8!

remember, it's the photog that makes the photograph, not the lens.
The results may speak more about the shooter than the lens.
As for me, I didn't like the CA and the low contrast as well as the build quality.
Considering what the current level of Canon dslr's can do, I still think the kit lens is the weak link for many.

I owned it. It came with my 20D, but I can't say that I ever really used it. I have a friend who has used one for the better part of a couple of years now. I sold him my 24-85mm lens a few weeks ago, and I don't think he's put the 18-55 back on his camera since.

Mark