Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Optical Zoom Lens for Canon EF-S - Black
Average customer rating
4.1
(57 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 57 reviews
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
4
1 Star
1
78%of customers recommend this product.
(
38 out of
49)
Customer Reviews for EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Optical Zoom Lens for Canon EF-S - Black
Customer Rating
4
Solid Mid Level Zoom
on December 26, 2011
Posted by: FD Nut
from Pensacola, FL
I have just started with digital after 60 years of film, with the last 50 using Canon equipment. That being said I am spoiled by using mostly L Series, both prime and zoom, on my F1's and A1's. For my trial jump to the "Dark Side" (digital) I went with a T2i & the 18-135 kit lens, which has better build quality than the 18-55 kit lens.
My initial impressions based on shooting over 1,000 shots and printing about 50 8X10's in a week are: (1) the sharpness is very good except some marked softness around the edges, (2), the autofocus is spot on except in very low light and extreme distances, (3) colors as recorded are exceptional, (4) the IS is amazing, I hand held @135mm and 1/15 sec with no visible shake (I have hand held my FD 400mm F4 L at 1/250). The major short coming that I observed is the front focusing and zoom seems sloppy compared to my FD 20-35mm L zoom, and an EF 24-105 F4L IS USM that I borrowed to test.
Overall a very capable lens with more than adequate build quality, and performance for most applications. If you need more lens than this in the wide to short tele range spend the extra $$$ and buy an L Series.
Pros: price / value, light weight
Cons: semi sharp images, not compatible w/ full frame
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Fine Walk Around Zoom
on April 20, 2011
Posted by: GVGeorge
from Southern AZ
I primarily use this lens for event coverage with output used for web and newspaper. The wide zoom range and macro capacity are consistently useful.
It's not as sharp as a L prime, but plenty sharp enough for a wide variety of purposes. It's not super fast but fast enough. It's not a macro but provides close up views. It's not a super telephoto lens, but is long enough to be useful.
Walking into an unknown event, this is the lens I want in front of the camera.
Pros: highly flexible
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Universal Lens
on November 24, 2009
Posted by: Larry
from Ponte Vedra, FL
I have Canon XSi and have evaluated the 18-55mm IS great for indoors/parties; 55-250mm IS great for sports and recently the 28-200mm good travel lens but heavy, no IS and insufficient wide angle for landscapes. This 18-135mm IS lens fits my ideal all round travel and universal lens. The 18mm provides the required wide angle for landscapes and the range to 135mm provides adequate zoom for portraits and close ups. The macro feature is also adequate for clean hand held close up nature shots. Also the lens is not too heavy. Perfect combination for the price and my favorite lens.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great upgrade from 28-135mm!
on December 4, 2009
Posted by: Peej Studio
Shooting with the 7D, the 1.6 crop was killing me on wide angle shots with the 28-135mm lens. So, I took the plunge. Great upgrade from the 10 year old design of the 28-135mm.
Compared to the 28-135mm...
1. The UD glass improves image quality.
2. Autofocus is faster.
3. 18mm is much better with 1.6 crop sensor.
4. Better/newer image stabilizer.
1. The UD glass improves image quality.
2. Autofocus is faster.
3. 18mm is much better with 1.6 crop sensor.
4. Better/newer image stabilizer.
I do miss the USM, but not as much as I thought I would. And, since I'm not upgrading to a full frame body anytime soon, no reason to miss the EF series.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
Cons: cannot be used on full frame body, no usm
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Versatile Use on a Budget
on November 27, 2015
Posted by: H Line
from Atlanta, GA, United States
Have had this lens for over a year and it is my go to lens. For indoor and outdoor, it a lens that offers the user a great range with sharp image quality in a well built, sturdy housing. If you are starting out and want a more versatile lens than the Canon 18-55mm, I highly recommend this lens.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Good Everyday companion
on February 13, 2012
Posted by: MickeyD
from Winter Springs, Florida
I have had this lens for almost 2 months. When I got my T2i, I was not impressed with the 18-55mm kit lens, so I bought this lens. It has the focal length that covers most of my shooting needs when I travel. It is light weight, quick AF and feels good in my hands with the camera.
I use it mainly for landscape, buildings, wildlife and I have not been disappointed.
I use it mainly for landscape, buildings, wildlife and I have not been disappointed.
I do not use it indoors or in low light, for that I have the CANON 50mm, f/1.4 USM.
I am very pleased with the photo's, very crisp, excellent color and depth.
Pros: light, good focusing, quality construction, very stable at distances
Cons: no zoom lock
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
3
I'm Upgrading
on February 10, 2012
Posted by: Saatchi
from Minneapolis, MN
I bought this when I bought my 50D last spring. I travel and need a good travel lens. What I found is that this lens focusing capability was sluggish, especially in low light/flash and when at a greater focal distance. It struggles to focus in these conditions. There is a distortion around the edges that I don't like either. So...since I have my first big job coming up, I am going to trade up to a nicer lens ( or two).
Pros: inexpensive, lightweight
Cons: soft focusing, autofocus doesn't function well in low-light, auto-focus sluggish at telephoto end, doesn't have distance measure on body
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Good Travel Lens
on November 18, 2009
Posted by: 808armada
from Wailuku, HI
This lens came with the 7D kit. I like the lens and will keep it in my bag. My only gripe is the perspective is a bit skewed up to the 50mm range. Almost as if it has a fisheye lens on. But the included software can correct it if you use it. Fast focus with the Live View and good solid built. Smooth action through the zoom range. Lens creep is still a problem so I would suggest a bag or harness instead of using the strap to carry the camera. But do use the strap to support the camera while you shoot. You NEVER want to drop your camera by accident.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Fast auto-focus, smooth zoom action
Cons: still has lens creep, would prefer an 18 - 200mm range, somewhat awkward lens hood snaps in a little hard, no onboard corrections like perspective.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com