my 18-55 kit lens test

[mr. Unknown]

First of all I would like to ask one of you nice people if you could share some thoughts on this matter.
I read DPS and other photography forums on daily bases (i'm a beginner) and I can't help but notice that people are experiencing different results with the same gear.. One 7d may be "crap" whereas another copy is stunning, the same goes for the lenses. What's the story here, how is that possible? And most importantly, how do you test your equipment? I was really interested in buying a sigma 50 mm 1.4, as it's really clear and sharp (I'm weird in that way, I hate non sharp images) but after reading some reviews, I noticed that quite some versions of the lens were either "back" or "front" focused..something like that anyhow.

What are your experiences?

And now for my gear - 550d + 18-55 IS kit lens. Could you decide whether it performs as it should or is it one of the "not so good ones"? Thanks.





Edit: no pp done

[Solarian]

That looks fantastic, you definitely got a good one. I had the older non-IS 18-55 as my kit lens, and could most accurately describe it as a "generally useless piece of plastic and glass that is attached to the front of my camera"
As for the Sigma, I'd recommend you do the following. Since you're on a crop body, get the 30mm 1.4, it works out to almost exactly 50mm on a full frame. If you still want a 50mm, get the Canon 50mm 1.8 II.
I have both of those lenses, the 30mm Sigma, and the 50mm Canon, and I couldn't be happier. I find I use the 30mm a lot more though, because the focal length just feels so right.
I also read mixed reviews on the Sigma, but mine is the sharpest, most amazing lens I've ever owned. It rarely/never misses focus, the keep rate is better than that of my Canon 50mm.

[mr. Unknown]

well, thanks for your reply Solarian!

[Nekrose]

Originally Posted by Solarian

That looks fantastic, you definitely got a good one. I had the older non-IS 18-55 as my kit lens, and could most accurately describe it as a "generally useless piece of plastic and glass that is attached to the front of my camera"
As for the Sigma, I'd recommend you do the following. Since you're on a crop body, get the 30mm 1.4, it works out to almost exactly 50mm on a full frame. If you still want a 50mm, get the Canon 50mm 1.8 II.
I have both of those lenses, the 30mm Sigma, and the 50mm Canon, and I couldn't be happier. I find I use the 30mm a lot more though, because the focal length just feels so right.
I also read mixed reviews on the Sigma, but mine is the sharpest, most amazing lens I've ever owned. It rarely/never misses focus, the keep rate is better than that of my Canon 50mm.

I definitely agree! I have the kit lens but stopped using it after I got the 50mm. I gave my T1i to my husband, so he can learn. Even he prefers the 50mm, and he doesn't know anything about photography.

I want that sigma 30mm! I plan on getting it after the 70-200mm f/2.8