topic Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

sonnysuarez — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:43:04 GMT

My kit lens 18-55mm for my T3i doesn't auto focus anymore just after using only for a year. Can this still be repaired?

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

ebiggs1 — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 14:46:42 GMT

Did you check the MF-AF switch on the side of the lens, by chance?

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

MikeSowsun — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:40:06 GMT

If you are sure it is broken, I would not bother getting it repaired as you can buy a good used one for less than a repair cost.

If you decide to buy one, try to get the latest "STM" version as it is a really nice improvement over the older versions. At very least make sure you get the "IS" or "IS II" version as they have Image Stabiliztion and better optics than the older versions without IS.

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

sonnysuarez — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 03:37:11 GMT

Yes, ebiggs1, when I noticed that the auto focus wasn't working I switch to MF and back to AF but still the auto focus does not work. I'm using now the MF but I had a hard time getting a perfect focus by manual.

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

sonnysuarez — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 03:49:49 GMT

Thank you MikeSowsun for your idea. My existing kit lens is the "IS ll version". I will try to look for a used one which is a "STM" version already.

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

ebiggs1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:10:35 GMT

This lens is not a real good candidate to buy used. It is cheap and that is why it is cheap!

Becarefull or you might just end up with another "parts" lens. Check it out thoroughly first.

Might be a good excuse to upgrade you outfit.

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

MikeSowsun — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 16:36:52 GMT

If you have seriously caught the photography "bug", then now might be a good time to invest in some more expensive lenses. But it if you are still a novice not, looking to spend a lot of money, then replacing your 18-55 with another IS II, or IS STM version would be an excellent choice.

There are many for sale in like new condition for $100, or sometimes even less. This is because many people buy a new camera with the "Kit" lens and then sell it basically unused. It is cheap because Canon only charges about $100 extra if you buy the camera and lens over just the body.

Even though this lens cheap to buy, it is optically excellent, and you would have to pay at least 10 times more to get anything substantially better as far as image quality goes.

The new 18-55mm STM version has incredibly fast, accurate, and silent Auto Focus, and is said to be even sharper than the older IS or IS II. It has the added benefits of a non-rotating front element for easier Polarizing filter use, and a nice "petal" hood is available for it as well. The new focus ring is a nice touch and it also allows Full Time Manual focus.

New EF-S 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 IS STM with EW-63C lens hood

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

sonnysuarez — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 12:28:14 GMT

Thanks a lot ebiggs1 for the Tip, would highly consider your warning.

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

sonnysuarez — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 12:42:02 GMT

Yes MikeSowsun, I'm still a novice in photography and I'm not ready yet to invest in some more expensive lenses, though it is my earnest desire to acquire some someday. Thank you so much for highlighting the features of the IS STM version of the 18-55mm lens, it made my decision to acquire this IS STM version final. Again thank you very much!

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

ebiggs1 — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:42:22 GMT

"I'm still a novice in photography and I'm not ready yet to invest in some more expensive lenses."

In this case, and you are not into videos, you don't need the STM version.

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

TCampbell — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 15:45:50 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"I'm still a novice in photography and I'm not ready yet to invest in some more expensive lenses."

In this case, and you are not into videos, you don't need the STM version.

The STM still has advantages.

When using it for still photography, it's still a faster focus system with full-time manual focus override available. That's especially nice if you're shooting action because the lens can focus on the action before the action moves to a new focus distance.

The optics on the STM versions of these lenses are improved a bit over the non-STM version.

Lastly, the STM versions have inner-focus so the end of the lens does not physically rotate like it does on the non-STM version. This is especially nice when using a polarizer -- you don't have to keep reaching forward to re-tune the polarization angle each time the focus is adjusted.

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

ebiggs1 — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 16:10:46 GMT

"The STM still has advantages."

Yes it does and it costs more. Seems like the OP is more interested in cost savings than performance. In his/her position I doubt seriously they will know the difference. Might as well save the dough until later when "real" upgrades is wanted.

IMHO, as always!

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

MikeSowsun — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:56:25 GMT

As I pointed out earlier, there is not much difference between the used prices of an 18-55 IS or STM lens. Even if they choose to buy new, there is only a $50 difference. B&H Photo: New 18-55mm prices

For $50 you get a much better lens. Even a complete novice will appreciate all the advantages that STM lenses present.

Photography is a hobby for me. I started with an AE-1 camera and FD lenses in 1978. In 1989 I switched over to EOS cameras and have owned many different EF and EF-S lenses over the years. More recently I have been able to afford expensive Pro cameras and L lenses.

I can tell you from first hand experience that these new Canon STM lenses are wonderful and make me seriously question whether any amateur(including myself) hreally needs to spend so much on "Pro" equipment now that these "Kit" lenses have come so far.

Re: 18-55mm kit lens for my T3i

sonnysuarez — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 01:46:34 GMT

Thanks to all of you MikeSowsun, ebiggs1 & TCampbell for all your very informative inputs to my post. My current concern now is to have a replacement for my existing one which don't auto focus and i had a hard time getting a focus shot using MF. Due to budget limitations i don't have other recourse than to look for a use one which will suite my budget. I will look around starting from the people whom i know who might want to sell their kit lenses. EF-S 18-55mm IS STM version will be my target to look for, if i could have it, in a way i have upgraded from my existing kit lens.

Again thank you very much to all of you guys, more power to all of you!