T2i kit lens...is it worth the 100 bucks?

in FCP once you apply the "widescreen" filter, you then have to go into the filter settings (double click the clip on the timeline to bring this up) and then you have to choose the ratio from the dropdown. I assume you want 2.35:1 - it's there.

Originally when people were filming 4x3, the widescreen would give them 16x9. When you apply the filter now, it does nothing at first since it's putting 16x9 matte onto a 16x9 image.

This is one of the reasons I prefer Sony Vegas to FCP, but that's another thread...
 
singleframe said:
is it at least worth the 100 bucks more..or should i just get the body only? ?
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I got the 18-55 with the 550D because that was all there was in stock back in March. Turns out it's very useful. I picked up a 24mm 2.8 because I wanted a sharper 24mm. When I shot these tests I was surprised how well the kit lens performs next to a sharper prime. Can't miss with this lens for a hundred bucks. Great light weight pocket lens.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=221547
 
There's several review sites where the kit lens has been tested, with lots of zooms on the images, etc.

It's surprisingly sharp for the $$, and where it's flawed will likely "smear" out to some extent with Canon's video compression. You never know when you'll decide to shoot, say, a car spinning in the dust, right up to your camera, and wish you had a "stunt" lens.

I'd be much more worried about lens quality with a 5D - most lenses are at their best in the center, so small-sensor cameras (in my experience) do well with all sorts of glass. I adapted a Holga lens to my Canon, and I have to shift it to get the blurry look. Even a plastic lens looks pretty sharp - in comparison to my pricey primes - after video compression.
 
singleframe said:
T2i kit lens...is it worth the 100 bucks?
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I've stated my opinion before and I'll state it again. It's crap. Extending optics, rotating front element, VERY bad build and the focusing is useless.

...YES, it shoots good stills, but I don't care if it costs 100 bucks, pick up a bloody vintage lens instead, at least you can/will use it. (And you'll get manual stops, another thing you should have for making films imo).
 
Definitely worth the low cost.

Very versatile with IS for video.

I keep it because its the only IS lens I have.

Until I get a better IS zoom, of course.
 
Martin Oller said:
I've stated my opinion before and I'll state it again. It's crap. Extending optics, rotating front element, VERY bad build and the focusing is useless.

...YES, it shoots good stills, but I don't care if it costs 100 bucks, pick up a bloody vintage lens instead, at least you can/will use it. (And you'll get manual stops, another thing you should have for making films imo).
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I wouldn't be so negative, but you have a great point: it's a sharp lens and very useful for stills, but not so much for video because of the very ackward focus ring (I haven't used the kit lens, but I have a 50mm 1.8 which has a similar focus ring - and it's a pain to use)
 
It is worth it for me when I am just using it as a quick point and shoot type camera. It is light and best of all cheap so I don't worry about damaging it.
 
So I'm planning on buying a new camera and have some old Pentax glass that I can use (a 24mm f2.8, a 40mm f2.8, a 80-200mm f4.5, and a 2x tele-converter), so should I look into the the kit lens 18-55mm, or just get the body?

I've used my sister's XSi with the kit lens, so I do understand the lens, and find that most times I'm left wishing for something longer. Any input?
 
I bought the lens kit too but shortly, I replaced it with the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 IS lens. Just love to constant aperture for video zooming in and out and great in low light.

A friend of mine wanted to get an T2i. I suggested her getting the 18-55mm kit as it's small and light weight that she can put in her purse.
 
Timbit said:
So I'm planning on buying a new camera and have some old Pentax glass that I can use (a 24mm f2.8, a 40mm f2.8, a 80-200mm f4.5, and a 2x tele-converter), so should I look into the the kit lens 18-55mm, or just get the body?

I've used my sister's XSi with the kit lens, so I do understand the lens, and find that most times I'm left wishing for something longer. Any input?
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It's still worth having at least one auto focus lens to shoot in Video, here's why. It's nearly impossible to focus using the back screen in bright conditions. Using the auto focus between takes with the red to green square targeted on your subject is accurate although you have to wait for it to lock in. Sometimes fast sometimes slow but it will get there. IS turns out to be helpful for hand held shooting as well.
I'm getting a 16-35 2.8 L when I get the cash, but I will still hang on to the kit lens for dangerous situations that come up from time to time.
Manual focus lenses are the way to go if you have a magnified viewer for the back screen and your eye locked to the camera which is more limited in terms of camera movement.
Every lens has it's strong and weak points, it's all up to what you need.
 
ROCKMORE said:
It's still worth having at least one auto focus lens to shoot in Video, here's why. It's nearly impossible to focus using the back screen in bright conditions. Using the auto focus between takes with the red to green square targeted on your subject is accurate although you have to wait for it to lock in. Sometimes fast sometimes slow but it will get there. IS turns out to be helpful for hand held shooting as well.
I'm getting a 16-35 2.8 L when I get the cash, but I will still hang on to the kit lens for dangerous situations that come up from time to time.
Manual focus lenses are the way to go if you have a magnified viewer for the back screen and your eye locked to the camera which is more limited in terms of camera movement.
Every lens has it's strong and weak points, it's all up to what you need.
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That is what I was trying to say when I said "point and shoot". Plus my wife can use it to take production stills when we are using our "big" cameras.
 
Martin Oller said:
It's crap. .
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It has it's weak points for sure in terms of build, but if someone can't get a good picture with one, it's not the lens that's crap.
The kit lens came with my 550D and I didn't want it because of all the negative comments I heard. Of course everyone would rather have L class lenses, but for some people this lens may be the only option in their budget. They should know the results can be quite good.
 
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I would have at least one AF lens in the kit for shooting stills and this lens covers that function well. As others have mentioned, the front focus ring is very small and not dampened so focusing manually is a bit tough (mainly pulling focus smoothly). Supplimenting your kit with good vintage glass is a good idea as well (especially at 50mm and longer where the DOF is shortest). The trouble with vintage glass is it is tougher to shoot stills with as seeing focus in the viewfinder is a bit hit and miss. In the old days of film you used to have viewfinders with split focusing prisms. You can swap out your focusing screen with an aftermarket split prism one, but you lose the center AF point :(
 
So then, should I consider the 18-55mm, or go for something a little longer in focal length for my photography (Note: This will be my first SLR, so the main lens is kind of crucial. :)). I will use the manual lenses for video though.

What's the opinion on the Canon EF-S 18-200mm lens? Same speed as the 18-55mm, and offered in a kit as well.
 
I have another T2i kit that comes with 18-135mm Canon lens. I like that lens better for the bigger zoom range. Have you considered that kit?
 
If you still consider the 18-55mm lens kit, go get the Body only and I can sell you my 18-55mm lens.. it's brand new =)
 
Timbit said:
So then, should I consider the 18-55mm, or go for something a little longer in focal length for my photography (Note: This will be my first SLR, so the main lens is kind of crucial. :)). I will use the manual lenses for video though.

What's the opinion on the Canon EF-S 18-200mm lens? Same speed as the 18-55mm, and offered in a kit as well.
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Kit lens 18-55mm (zero sharpening added)

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photo
 
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Taky said:
I have another T2i kit that comes with 18-135mm Canon lens. I like that lens better for the bigger zoom range. Have you considered that kit?
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Never really thought of it a whole lot, but you're right in that it might be a better option.

Money is an issue, so I don't want to be stuck with the 18-55mm as I know I'm always wishing for more zoom whenever I use it. Not to knock it as it's a great lens, but I like the flexibility of going from wide to telephoto without changing lenses.
 
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