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Archive 2014 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?

  
 
lsquare
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


I know I can just buy the 18-135mm STM lens and have a decent walkaround. The only reason why I don't want to buy that is because I also intend to pick up the 55-250mm STM. So to save on weight and avoid having overlap, I'm thinking of just going with the 18-55mm STM. I'm not worried about changing lenses as I'll be using both lenses on two bodies. My question here is whether the 18-55mm STM is as sharp throughout its range compared to the 18-55mm range on the 18-135mm STM lens?

Thanks!



Apr 19, 2014 at 08:48 PM
Dudewithoutape
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


I would imagine so, just from the fact that the original 18-55 IS was already very sharp and then the STM introduced an improved design. Not to mention it is a more reserved zoom ratio than the 18-135mm. The only part of the 18-55mm I would be concerned about is the 55mm side, where it is in the middle of the 18-135mm, however with the 55-250mm, the 55mm should be covered then. I have read 0 tests, these are just my thoughts and general knowledge of zooms.


Apr 19, 2014 at 09:03 PM
stanj
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


I own both lenses and the 18-135 is definitely nicer optically. The 18-55 stays on my SL1, the 18-135 stays on the 70D.


Apr 19, 2014 at 09:06 PM
IndyFab
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


If funds permit, a nice kit is the Canon 15-85 and 55-250 STM

I recently bought the 55 -250 STM, for times I don't want to lug or need my 70-200 2.8. Its sharp, fast focusing and quiet, perfect for video

I have looked at many images from both the 18-55 and 18-135 STM, and to my eye the 18-55 appeared sharper. However one needs to take into consideration the folks using the gear and there processing skills, if they are not shooting Jpeg.

If I had to pick one I would go with the 18-55 STM, a bonus it allows MFD which is nice for Macro

55-250 STM
IMG_2623 (C) All Rights Reserved by Sett N trenZ, on Flickr

15-85
IMG_1233 (C) All Rights Reserved by Sett N trenZ, on Flickr



Apr 19, 2014 at 09:14 PM
lsquare
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


I only shoot RAW and I will be editing images with Lightroom. I'm not interested in the 15-85mm lens.

I should be specific and mention that I mainly shoot landscape and travel photography. It seems like Canon have made tremendous improvement to their kit lenses. I mainly shoot between f/8 and f/11. The results seem comparable to those of the L lenses at similar aperture ranges.

Edited on Apr 20, 2014 at 01:20 AM · View previous versions



Apr 19, 2014 at 10:23 PM
stanj
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


Let me assure you that neither my 18-55 nor my 18-135 can hold a candle to my 24-70L/II on the 1DX or 5D3. They have come a long way, agreed, but there's a notable difference, especially if you're planning on making enlargements. I never paired the 24-70 with a cropper but I can only assume it's not much different.


Apr 19, 2014 at 11:17 PM
johnctharp
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


lsquare wrote:
The results seem comparative to those of the L lenses at similar aperture ranges.


I think you'll have to be very specific about which 'results' you're talking about, but in general Canon's new kit zooms are quite competent, especially stopped down to landscape apertures, as are Nikons- just avoid Sony's .



Apr 20, 2014 at 12:53 AM
lsquare
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


johnctharp wrote:
I think you'll have to be very specific about which 'results' you're talking about, but in general Canon's new kit zooms are quite competent, especially stopped down to landscape apertures, as are Nikons- just avoid Sony's .


I think I was very specific. I did said between f/8-f/11. Perhaps comparable is the wrong word to use. It shouldn't surprise anyone that a L lens is going to win. After all, they cost much more. One should expect much more performance out of a L lens.



Apr 20, 2014 at 01:22 AM
lsquare
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


stanj wrote:
Let me assure you that neither my 18-55 nor my 18-135 can hold a candle to my 24-70L/II on the 1DX or 5D3. They have come a long way, agreed, but there's a notable difference, especially if you're planning on making enlargements. I never paired the 24-70 with a cropper but I can only assume it's not much different.


Perhaps it was a mistake to say it was comparable, but you have to keep in mind that I was referring to f/8 and f/11. The kit lenses seem to perform pretty well at those apertures.

When you say differences, will I see the difference if the prints were made at 300 dpi for your respective cameras at full resolution without any cropping?



Apr 20, 2014 at 01:23 AM
Dudewithoutape
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


stanj wrote:
I own both lenses and the 18-135 is definitely nicer optically. The 18-55 stays on my SL1, the 18-135 stays on the 70D.


The OP is saying the to compare the 18-55 lens to the 18-55 range of the 18-135 lens. At which point I would find it hard to believe there is that much difference.



Apr 20, 2014 at 01:31 AM
Dudewithoutape
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM as sharp as the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens?


I'm pretty sure, and especially since you shoot so stopped down, the IQ between the 18-55 and 18-135 lenses are extremely similar.


Apr 20, 2014 at 01:33 AM





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