I finally received my copy of the 18-135 STM lens. I went back and forth for a while deciding between this lens, the 15-85 and the 24-105. I eventually opted for this lens for three reasons. First, the lens is the newest available and I assumed Canon fixed the shortcomings of the previous 18-135 optically (along with the new stepping motor). Second, I really didn't need the extra 3mm on the wide end but I truly did need the extra 50mm on the tele end. Third, as a general walk-around lens, the weight was about 20% less than the 15-85 and about 30% less than the 24-105 which really does make a difference around your neck.
Onto my experience(s). From what little I could read from the sparse reviews out there, this lens was suppose to be very close optically to the 15-85 (since I don't have a copy of the 15-85, I have to rely on MTF charts). There is some barrel distortion at 18mm, appox. the same as the 15-85 at 15mm, but it goes away very quickly on my copy between the 18-24 range. One thing I do like about this lens is there's plenty of space between the 18 and 24, it's not crammed together like other lenses on the wide end. The lens is a 3.5-5.6 aperture. In its progression you'll hit 4.0 in the 25-35mm range, 4.5 40-50mm range, 5.0 in the 55-80mm range and 5.6 from 85-135. On the 60D, be sure to load the peripheral illumination correction and chromatic aberration profile from Canon to eliminate any fall-off.
Physically, this lens is bigger than I thought it would be (I don't know why I was expecting anything different really). It's about a 1/4 of an inch shorter than the previous 18-135 and about a 1/2 inch longer than the 15-85. Weight is about 1 oz more than the previous 18-135 and about 3 1/2 oz less than the 15-85. Diameter is roughly the same for all these lenses. The overall feel of this lens is superb. You really feel like it has enough heft to not be considered a plastic piece of junk but not so much that it creates a "boat anchor" feeling around your neck. The zoom ring is very nice and smooth along with the electronic manual focus ring. Both feel extremely upscale with the ribbing and ease of use. About the manual focus ring, you can over-ride AF anytime by half-pressing the shutter and rotating the MF ring (negating the need to flip the switch to MF each time you want to focus yourself).
Performance (in my opinion) is stellar. The lens is EXTREMELY quiet while focusing and zooming (I would say audibly non-existent). Fluid is the best way to describe it. Everything flows in a way that makes you appreciate what the lens is doing, it's really a very refined, artistic, sensory appealing and tactile accomplishment (again, in my opinion). Zooming is fast. Focus is fast and spot-on. This lens focuses almost instantaneously. One thing that surprised me was the bokeh of this lens. I was expecting a kit lens 18-55 type of bokeh but I have to say this lens is VERY good (when I say VERY, I mean VERY close to prime). I am truly impressed! This lens is extremely sharp in the center, I have found it is sharp throughout the focal range and exceedingly sharp in the 35-85mm range. The lens profile will correct for any fall-off you might get in the corners. I have not found any color fringes yet although I haven't "pixel-peeped" a lot of the close-ups and I haven't had it for that long to begin with. Color balance is VERY good. I truly enjoy the warm/vivid colors this lens captures.
In closing, this lens has exceeded my expectations in every way. I think this lens is a bargain in the $400-$500 price range (although the MSRP is $549.00). With the optics, build quality, and performance I believe it is probably the best value for a lens with it's focus range. Obviously prime lenses and L glass are going to trump this lens but for the price/performance/ergonomic ratios, good luck. Canon really has produced a winner here. Feel free to comment or ask if you have any specific questions about the lens...
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This Item  Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is STM |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -32% $373.49 List: $549.00 | -25% $516.00 New Price: $689.95 | $299.00 | $199.00 | $499.00 | $8.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 9 | Get it May 15 - 20 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Image stabilization | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Sold By | 6ave | Port Hole Renewed | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | HUIPUXIANG |
| lens type | Telephoto | Standard | Telephoto | Macro | Telephoto | — |
| compatible mountings | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon RF | Canon RF | Canon RF | Canon EF-S |
| lens design | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Prime | Zoom | — |
| focus type | Stepper motor | Auto/Manual | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | — |
| minimum focal length | 18 millimeters | 24 millimeters | 18 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 18 millimeters | 18 millimeters |
| max focal length | 135 millimeters | 105 millimeters | — | 50 millimeters | — | 85 millimeters |
| fixed focal length | 55 millimeters | 105 millimeters | 45 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 150 millimeters | 135 millimeters |
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WATCH THIS Before Buying The Canon 18-135mm Lens
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Essential Travel Gear - Versatile 18-135mm Lens REVIEW
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Seller accidentally sent refurbished
Was supposed to be new...but I got a excellent refurbished one. Seller Apologized and offered huge discount if I would keep it. It's in 9.5 out of 10 condition and operation is 10 out of 10. Performance is fabulous and no dust inside the lens. Yes it's obviously been used and super cleaned...but it performs like new!Thanks to the seller for quick response!
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Dkfrstr
Gebraucht gekauft, quasi neu erhalten! TOP
Reviewed in Germany on June 29, 2022
