EF-S 18-55 Is manual focus useable?

leepback

leepback

Well-known member
I'm very much a beginner trying to get an understanding about lenses so I may post a few questions here in the next short while. I’ll try and keep them confined to details I cannot specifically find already covered here but apologise if I stray a little and have somehow wasted your time.

With regard to Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.

Yes it’s cheap and nasty but I’m considering putting it on a 7D as I said I’m a complete beginner, no Dean Semler, and I figured I’d practice first and then find out what I really need/want at a later, more informed time. I’ll probably also get the EF 50mm 1.8 II

From what I have read the image quality, (is that IQ? I must admit all the terminology is foreign to me) is satisfactory for somebody of my ability and most likely the non-discerning eyes of the limited audience my output is likely to attract, but the main concern is that most reviews suggest that manual focus is rather difficult if not impossible to achieve with this lens.

Is this lens going to be useable for filming especially without any follow focus apparatus thingies? Also, will it be totally useless in low light?

Has anybody had experience with this lens, good or bad, in this regard or totally disagree that the IQ is satisfactory for someone of my calibre? I have seen somebody refer to it as “a piece of junk”!

I’m aware of the "He who buys cheap buys twice" argument but I reckon he who buys expensive without any clue pays many more times than just twice. BTW – none of this stuff is cheap (well ok maybe this lens is) in OZ compared to the US.

I do also know that EF-S lenses are of limited use.

Note: This thread is similar but nobody addresses the possible manual focus issue.

Thanks for any response or advice.
 
Those EF lenses are fine, I've used them for professional stills plenty of times. And at a third the resolution or less you definitely won't be seeing much quality issues. That particular lens has a sturdy and large focus ring. It is exactly as useful as every other lens' focus ring.

One thing I will say, though, is that some of the 50mm have tiny rings that are really hard to use on the fly until you get used to it. Not a serious problem, but maybe look at the lens first if you can and see if the ring is a lot smaller than your fingers, which is an issue.
 
It is a perfectly usable lens, especially for video as we're only talking 1080p here. It may not be the fastest lens, but I'm going to go ahead and say that's a good thing. Beginner's, intermediates and even professionals seem to be getting a little DOF-crazy since it is so readily available now with the VDSLRs. Personally, I try to keep my minimum aperture around f4-5 so my videos can actually have the tip of my subject's nose in focus along with their eyes! Who would have thought!?This lens will help aid you in doing just that.

Good luck!
 
It would be fine for a starter lens, but I do not like the focus ring placement up on the front lip of the lens and it does breathe a lot. You can find one on craig's list cheap and it is pretty good value for money (especially for stills). Shooting at f4 or 5.6 you will have much more depth of field so not much trouble hitting focus and it will train you to do some lighting!
 
Many thanks for the info guys. Checked out some of your work and must say was impressed so ths added a greater weighting to your opinions so I am encouraged to continue in my miserly ways for the moment.

Just an hour ago I finally put down a deposit on a 7D (they only had the demo unit).
Should arrive in a few days.

I also bought the EF 50mm f/1.8 new, just to have something to shoot with but will buy the EF-S 18-55 from ebay in near future thanks to these positive responses.

"7D Body only" was AUS$2199
EF 50mm f1.8 was AUS$127

This was from a local (Newcastle) member of an electronics chain.
They nearly price matched DCW a Sydney based online business and were a mere $13 dearer.
Figured it was worth that just to be able to drop it back there if any problems arose.

With our dollar at $US 0.90-092 you can see that we get ripped off over here.
Some of our economist friends on this forum will argue, for some reasoning that my mind refuses to understand, that we aren't, but when you're the one paying you definitely feel the extra dollars leaving your pocket.

Once again thanks for your assistance.
 
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leepback said:
"7D Body only" was AUS$2199
EF 50mm f1.8 was AUS$127
With our dollar at $US 0.90-092 you can see that we get ripped off over here.
Some of our economist friends on this forum will argue, for some reasoning that my mind refuses to understand, that we aren't, but when you're the one paying you definitely feel the extra dollars leaving your pocket.
Click to expand...

One local dealer has it for 1499 EUR (= USD 2112) and with an EF-S 18-135mm IS goes to EUR 1799 (= USD 2535). How do we feel about it EU ? ;)
Cheers

PS
The above EUR prices include VAT
 
I bought the same lens (cheap) but the autofocus version (not IS) and I think it’s a decent lens. I found the autofocus helpful. Anything longer then I would have preferred an IS but the 18mm wide lens is helpful for a nice wide FOV.
 
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