T6i with 18-135mm lens

[johnfrer]

Hi Everyone,

I want to buy the t6i but I want to know if the 18-135 is a much better lens than the 18-55mm?

[ebiggs1]

The Rebel T6i is a better camera than the standard kit lens.  It deserves better.  IMHO, of course as always.

[johnfrer]

All your responses are terrific. I have much to learn. This will be my first dslr since going digital so many years ago. I will look into the body only with a matched lens. Thanks

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"Hi Everyone,

I want to buy the t6i but I want to know if the 18-135 is a much better lens than the 18-55mm?"

Hi John,

I am going to suggest a much better albeit more expensive alternative.  Don't get any lens with the T6i.  Instead buy the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.  It has some much more going for it, it will really bring out the best the T6i can offer.  Maybe Canon has a kit with this lens in it, you can check.  If so it is the one to get.

One big advantage is the "constant" f2.8 aperture. Otherwise if you must buy the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens. But, keep in mind, the f5.6 penalty will be more difficult to live with day in and day out. 

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I too am a fan of the 17-55mm f/2.8; my wife an I each have one. But there are a couple of drawbacks to it that don't often get mentioned:

1, The lens is so big that it effectively renders the camera's built-in flash useless by casting a large shadow in the field of view. That hasn't bothered us much, because we generally prefer external speedlites anyway. But not everyone would necessarily feel the same way.

2. Because it's not an "L" lens, it's more likely to need autofocus microadjustment. Mine needs a +9 adjustment on my 7D's - which is a minor annoyance, since a 7D has AFMA. But my wife has been lucky that her lens doesn't require AFMA, because her T2i doesn't have it. Neither will your T6i; so if you have an AF problem, you may have to send the lens to Canon for calibration.

So there you have it. I still think it's a fine lens, and I use mine regularly. But it's good to know the downside.

[ebiggs1]

Bob from Boston,

"The lens is so big that it effectively renders the camera's built-in flash useless ..."

That flash is useless no matter what lens is on the 7D or 7D Mk II.  Unfortunately f2.8 and big go hand in hand as does heavy.  Small price to pay in my book.  I trimmed down my regular go everywhere bag to three lenses, all f2.8 apertures.  

A tube of Gorilla Super glue will fix that flash issue on your 7D's.