18-135mm STM lens...Opinions?

I'm considering a mid range zoom for my T3i, and wonder if the STM version of the 18-135mm has
any advantages over the 18-135mm II IS lens?

I do not own the 18-135 STM lens but every thing I've read is that is is a very good lens in its class. The STM designation is a quieter motor which benefit video shooters. Since you have the 18-55 lens already, you only gain 56-135mm in focal length. You might consider a telephoto zoom lens with a longer short end instead. If you have access to a camera shop, I would look through a 135mm lens to get a feel if 135mm is long enough for your needs. Otherwise I would consider a longer zoom lens.
Not knowing what your budget is, I would consider the 70-300 IS which is about a $100 more and for an additional $100 you can get the very sharp 70-200L f/4 but it does not have IS. If you find that 135mm is long enough, you might find that the best option is the 18-135 STM since you can zoom from wide to medium telephoto all with one lens.
Your 18-55 is good for landscapes and portraits so you got that covered. Good luck.

Similar Messages

Rebel T4i Kit with 18-135mm Lens, STM lens like Amazon?

Amazon has it for the same price, but I noticed it is listed as the STM lens, which is a new lens specifically built for the t4I.
Bestbuy has it listed for the same price, but doesn't list it with STM.
No point in buying the same camera with an older lens from Bestbuy when you can get the same one from Amazon with the new lens.
Hope this can be clarified.
Canon - Canon EOS Rebel T4i 18.0-MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens - Black
Model: Rebel T4i Kit with 18-135mm Lens | SKU: 4839135
Built to make advanced photography simple and fun, the new Rebel T4i comes loaded with an 18.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor combined with the powerful DIGIC 5 image processor, an extended ISO range of 100–12800, continuous shooting up to 5fps, and an 18–135mm image-stabilized zoom lens. When shooting HD video, Movie Servo AF provides continuous focus of moving subjects. The vari-angle touch-screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II allows fast and intuitive camera operation. Add compatibility with Canon?s proven EF and EF-S lenses and a slew of EOS accessories, the Rebel T4i is an incredibly versatile tool for creating the images and videos you envision.
5 Read reviews (1)
Sale: $1199.99
Solved!
Go to Solution.

What is the status on the availability of this product? SKU (SKU: 4839135) is on the website but it states for store pick up only. When you select a store, any store for that matter, it shows as unavailable. it does not state the item is on back order.
Why is the item even on the website?

Problem with the AF of my new 18-135mm EFS IS STM lens

Hello,
The lens came with the EOS Rebel T5i bundle.
The auto focus is working incorrectly, focusing closer than the detected area. This is happening when I use the viewfinder. When a picture is taken using the “direct view” (LCD display) it focus correctly.
I didn’t use the camera a lot since I bought it, now looking the first pictures I see that this problem is happening since I bought it.
I changed the zoom lens with another Canon camera and then my new Rebel T5i works fine and the same problem happens with the other camera, therefore I’m sure that the problem is in the lens and not in the camera body.
The out of focus is more noticeable when I'm taking pictures in 18mm position to an object farther than 2 meters but it is happening in any zoom position. It is clear when I compare the same picture taken with the viewfinder with one taken with the LCD Display.
I updated the body firmware and the problem continues.
Is it possible to update the lens firmaware? I couldn’t find them in the canon webpage.
I will go into an important trip next week, therefore I will not have time to send the camera to repair.
Any idea?
Thanks!

You may want to rent a lens for your trip and get this lens to service.
You'll want to be sure it really is a problem with the lens (it sounds like it is from your description). Test the lens against a "flat" target (such as a wall). You can hang something on the wall with high-contrast (newspaper works great) and put the camera on a tripod. The idea is that (a) the camera is definitely not moving, (b) the focus target is definitely not moving, and (c) the target is flat and there are no distracting objects in the field of view so it's not possible for the focus system to decide to lock focus on anything OTHER than your intended target.
Next... deliberately turn the focus ring to put the camera out of focus (so that the camera HAS to move the focus). This is mildly tricky with an STM lens since there's no mechanical link from the focus ring to the lens -- it's electronic. The lens only accepts focus input when focus is active (e.g. half-press the shutter button, etc. to wake it up.) I run focus all the way in and test several times, then run focus all the way out and test several times (that way it has to move focus in both directions.)
If the lens is consistently focusing closer, then it will need service.
Tim Campbell
5D II, 5D III, 60Da

Lens correction profile for the Canon 18-135 STM lens in Lightroom 5 ?

How or where can I get the lens correction profile for the Canon 18-135 STM lens in Lightroom 5 ? In effect he is not available in my list of correction lens so my lightroom is up to date apparently :/
Thanks in advance for answer.

There are two types of Lens profiles - raw and JPEG. It looks like you are trying to process a JPEG image and Adobe has only provided a raw lens profile for the 18-135mm IS STM lens.
You have four options:
1) Check for available lens profile using the Adobe Lens Profile Downloader. I checked and a JPEG lens profile is NOT available for the 18-135mm lens.
2) Follow the procedure outlined by Steve Sprengel in this post:
http://feedback.photoshop.com/photoshop_family/topics/lr_5_lens_profile_not_applied_for_jp g_captures_only_for_raw_captures
More detailed instructions here for a Pentax lens example:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-processing-articles/176761-creating-adobe-lens-cor rection-profiles-jpgs-raw-ones.html
This allows using the available raw lens profile with JPEG images. To my knowledge Canon DSLR cameras do not apply distortion correction to JPEG images, so the raw profile should work well. You can check this by shooting raw+JPEG and comparing the two images inside LR
3) Create you own lens profile using the Adobe Lens Profile Creator. (A complicated process, but it can be done!).
4) Start shooting in raw mode or raw + JPEG mode, which will allow you to extract the most benefit from LR's processing controls.

Canon 18-135mm IS Lens....Jumps during manual focus

Hi,
I recently noticed that my Canon 18-135mm IS lens has a minor issue that I'm not sure if it's a fault or not......
When the manual focus ring is turned, at a certain point it kind of clicks/jumps momentarily. I noticed this when the lens was at approximately half of the zoom range but I'm not sure if it happens at all zoom ranges.
As far as I can tell, things are still in focus so don't know if it's a problem or not, I'm just wondering whether something could be out of alignment and potentially do more damage ?
Thanks for any insight

No offence taken....people do stupid things (including me). But yes, I switched to manual focus first, although I have occasionally forgotten to do so and moved the focus ring a minor amount before realising.
Having looked at it again, the amount of movement is quite small.....I have come to the conclusion from reading other posts online that it's mostly just the movement/play of the zoom lens within the barrel, which sounds quite common on this lens.
Thanks for the reply.

EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM Lens

Can the EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM Lens be used for macro. The resin I ask is because I am new at macro and don't know if I will enjoy it. So I don't want to get a dedicated lens as of yet. So I figured if I can use this lens for it I can also use it for other things as well expecially if I decided not to peruse macro or if I do wish to this one can still serve a perpus.

Hi Jake.
The 55-250 is not a macro lens, and not even one of the ones that are kind of close to shooting macro.
You can look into extension tubes, which mount along with a lens if you do not want to get a dedicated macro lens.
Dedicated macro lenses are fixed focal length lenses (primes) like 60mm or 90mm or 100mm or 180mm. There are no macro zooms as far as I know.
That does not mean you can't use extension tubes on your zoom lens, it will just be a little tricky. You will want to set a focal length and leave it alone - don't zoom around- or it will change your minimum focus distance which might mess you up. With macro you want a long lens anyway, so just peg the zoom at the 55mm end and leave it alone.
Scott
Canon 6D, Canon T3i, EF 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS mk2; EF 24-105 f/4 L; EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS; EF 85mm f/1.8; Sigma 35mm f/1.4 "Art"; EF 1.4x extender mk. 3; 3x Phottix Mitros+ speedlites
Why do so many people say "fer-tographer"? Do they take "fertographs"?

SOME (3-4) MINOR DENTS ON THE BAYONET OF NEW CANON STM LENS

I have bought a new Canon 70D with 18-135 STM Lens kit.
I have noticed some (3-4) minor dents on the bayonet of the lens?
Is it possible for a new unused lens to have some minor dents on the bayonet of it?
Thanks.

I guess it rests on what your definition of the word "dent" is. WOW, where have I heard that phrase?
1. a hollow or depression in a surface, as from a blow.
It should not have any "dents" in it. It will not get dented by removing and installing the lens. Period!
EOS 1Ds Mk III, EOS 1D Mk IV, EF 50mm f1.2 L, EF 24-70mm f2.8 L,
EF 85mm f1.2 L II USM, EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II,
Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 EX APO, Photoshop CS6, ACR 9, Lightroom 6

LR 4.2 RC Canon 40mm and 18-135 STM Lens Profiles Not Installed

I have installed LR 4.2 RC but when I check Lens Profiles these lenses are not listed although ACR 7.2 is supposed to be supporting them. Can anyone tell me where I can get the profiles for these lenses and what is the proper procedure to install them?

I just figured out what I was doing wrong. All I had to do was open my CR2 RAW file in the development module and select the Lens Corrections Tab and checkmark the Enable Profile Corrections box and my Canon 18-135 STM lens profile was activated. Thanks for the replies.

Lens correction profile for the Canon 18-135 STM lens?

How or where can I get the lens correction profile for the new Canon STM lenses?

I see that lens listed in the release notes for the final Lightroom 4.2 update that just came out a few hours ago, so it looks like the answer is to download the update.
http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2012/10/lightroom-4-2-now-available.html

I use Canon 5DMk3 for videos in A/F mode. When will Canon come out with a quality STM lens?Tad

When will Canon come out with a quality lens with STM phase focusing for Canon 5DMk3? I shoot mostly videos. in A/F/
The 1.2.1 firmware update didn't do it.
Tad

Yes, sorry. I did realize I didn't specify exactly what I shoot.
I do a lot of car-related things. Car photoshoots, races, etc. I'd like to delve into portraits and such more upcoming too.
The races are easy to do, so long as you have a fast camera and a good lens. Even going from my old Nikon D60 to the faster Canon 60D proved very helpful. I am also pretty good at the focus pan where you move with said object to blur the background.
My real issue with the crop sensor cameras thus far have been the noise levels. I do a lot of shooting in low-light. But I figure a couple proper lenses a good tripod, and some time experimenting could help that.
I do like the idea of the T5i as it's so cheap. At only $600 on the body, that would give me plenty of wiggle room to fund proper lenses. And I suppose that if I went that route, I could always just end up picking up a 7DII as my go-to when released, since the T5i will obviously have it's limitations.
But at the same time, going right for the 70D would also be a solid choice as to it's benefits, larger sizing, etc.
Although I'd love a 6D, it's probably better that I stay away from FF for now until I get steady pay from shoots. I know me, and I'd take myself broke buying proper lenses.
The 60D seems like it's still a good choice, but kinda going backwards from the others. And the 7D, same thing. Although still a great camera, it seems to (at least for me) have the negatives outweigh the positives at it's price point.
So it seems like it's been narrowed down to the T5i and the 70D.
FYI, I don't have a ton up yet as it's been recently created, but feel free to check out my page for a couple references of what I shoot. It's below.
Also, on Instagram, I'm "averagewhiteboy" as well. I have a Flickr Pro account too, but I don't think I've updated it since going Canon.
http://www.facebook.com/planbphotovideo
Canon EOS M

Magnification question - EF-S 18-135 STM lens with Canon 25mm Extension Tube II

If the minimum focus distance with this lense is 15.4 inches and I were to add the 25mm extension tube, does that mean that I can go closer to the subject, or is the 15.4 inches still minimum but the extension tube simply makes the subject look larger? And, how much larger?
I've read some guidelines but I'm still not getting it
I'm looking to use one lens for nature photography and would love to add a lightweight macro option (using a T5 camera).
Thanks

jrhoffman75 wrote:
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/macro-extension-tubes-closeup.htm
I saw that calculator earlier, but I didn't understand how they could show the new MFD (or in this case, CFD) without knowing the previous, based on which lens you use. Is the CFD the same for all (non) lenses? I guess I always assumed that the MFD for any specific lens depended on the internal elements of the lens.

Looking For the Right Lens

Hello, I am a casual photographer and really just learning this great hobby. I got into it trying to get good pictures of my daughters during their ballet performances. Each step I've taken has got me a little closer to getting good pictures of them but I'm quickly running out of time. My last step was to purchase a T4i. I mainly use the kit lens 18-55 for most of the shots of them and sometimes the 55-250 if I want to get close in. I generally crank up the ISO so I can use a faster shutter speed. I find that ISO 6400 with a shutter speed of 1/400 in general is giving me the best results but not anywhere near perfect. I've pinballed around looking at lenses and my head is swimming and frankly I don't know enough to make a great desicision. The current lens I'm looking at is the Canon EF 24-105 f/4 IS USM. The other two lenses I own both go to 5.6 and I was hoping the fixed f/4 would let in more light letting me reduce the ISO for a less grainy picture. Going back and looking at most of my shots I'm usually in the 30-50mm range but that can change depending on where I get to sit at each show so a zoom lens is mandatory for me. I really want to stay around $500 to $600 if at all possible and think I can get that lens at that price range.
My second use for the camera is to film my younger daughter singing at different school or social events with an occasional picture thrown in. Would the above lens work well for that? The current lens choices I have suck. They are noisy and hunt for focus. I've heard rave reviews of the kit lens 18-135 STM for it's fluidity of movement in almost comeplete silence. I got to play with the lens a few weeks ago at a party when someone asked me to take some pics with their camera. I marveled at the speed and silence of the focus motor. I believe the f stops on it are the exact same as my current lenses though. So If I get it as well I'm guessing I'd be in the same boat as above but with better video. If I do get this STM lens would I get the same quality pics as the kit lens I have now or is it a little better than my current set up? The person who's camera I borrowed loved it but they aren't a photographer by any means. Any recomendations here are appreciated as well.

OK let's give this s go.
If you are shooting a f5.6 at ISO 6400 and you decide to get an f4 lens, you will be able to shoot the same scene at ISO 3200. That lens is one stop faster. Not a big deal. But, on-the-other hand if you got a f2.8 lens you are talking another stop off. The ISO would now be 1600. Pretty good, I'd say.
Unfortunaltely an f2.8 lens isn't going to be cheap. Sigma has a 17-50mm f2.8 and even better a 18-35mm f1.8. The f1.8 will allow you to drop more than another stop off your ISO to around 640. Generally speaking the lower the ISO, the less noise in the photo and the better it will look. But these are a little short of the mm (focal length) you say you need.
Any of these lenses, and the outstanding EF 24-105mm f4 will make way better pictures than your current kit lenses do. Tamron also has some choices in this area, too.
The ideal choice would be a 24-70mm f2.8 but they are going to be way more expensive. The Sigma being the cheapest in this bunch, again. The Canon EF 24-70 f2.8 L IS being the best lens there is, period, and a price tag to prove it.
The EF-S 18-135mm is a better lens than what you have but is not going to help the ISO problem. You need, one, more light on the subject or, two, a faster lens.
Another idea!
If you can live with a fixed focal lemgth, or prime, lens, you could get the EF 50mm f1.8 or better yet the EF 50mm f1.4.. Now were're taling. f1.4 is four stops faster and your ISO would drop to 400. Around $110 bucks and $350 respectively. Sound good?
There are some more prime lens choices for you. Get on the Canon web site and gaze at the primes and see if one or two might just fill the bill. The primes also have the advantage of being outstandingly sharp. Light years ahead of your kit lenses.
Sigma has some great primes, too.
EOS 1Ds Mk III, EOS 1D Mk IV EF 50mm f1.2 L, EF 24-70mm f2.8 L,
EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II, Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 EX APO
Photoshop CS6, ACR 8.7, Lightroom 5.7

You know that thread, where someone asks what lens to buy next...

This is one of those threads.
Some of you are aware of my photography journey from my last few posts.
At this point, my wife's photography needs are satisfied with the new SL1 and 18-55mm STM lens. It is a massive improvement over the older XTi w/ 17-40 4L. This also involved adding new manual speedlites.
As a result of this, the next lens will be more for me than my wife's business needs.
Originally, the next lens was to be a 60mm macro, but I have been having good enough results for now using close-up diopter with the kit lens at 55mm.
My goals are:
- A lens that "replaces" the 18-55mm for me so that my wife can use that lens full time without me needing to borrow it so often.
- An inexpensive lens with a good zoom range to experiment with before buying more expensive primes or L.
Already have these other lenses:
- (as already mentioned) the 18-55mm STM lens that my wife uses with SL1
- the original 18-55mm that came with the original EOS Digital Rebel (sometimes shows errors on the Xti when taking shots rapidly)
- 17-40mm EF 4L
I will probably use the old XTi some of the time and borrow the SL1 when she isn't doing business, etc. At least until I break down and buy my own dedicated camera.
I was thinking of either
- 18-135mm STM (total replacement for all the kit lenses for me, no need to use the old 18-55 or ever borrow my wife's lens)
- 55-250mm STM (can use the 17-40 or my older 18-55 for wide angle)
I am leaning towards the 55-250mm for two reasons:
- I already have several lenses with wider angles to choose from when those situations arise.
- the 55-250mm is pretty cheap at $300ish
Thoughts?

If you can find a "real" camera store, you might want to try out a 55-250mm.
I had the non-STM version of that lens was never very happy with it. The STM gets much better reviews and image-quality for the price is supposed to be very good (again... I have not personally tried the STM version.)
Avoid the 75-300mm USM -- that lens has the reputation for being one of the most marginal lenses (both in build quality and image quality) in the line-up.
The 70-300mm USM is MUCH MUCH better (but I think the retail price on that lens is closer to $650 -- so you'd expect it to be better, and it is.)
I will say that I gave away my 55-250 to a relative (again, not the STM version) for two reaons. #1 I was not thrilled with the image quality and, #2 I found myself using the 55-250mm range FAR less often than I would have imagined.
Oddly, I own the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original -- I bought my copy new, but before Canon introduced the II generation of that lens.) I use that lens quite often. But I'm not using it to shoot subjects at a distance, I'm using it because it has a fantastic look. I'll take a portrait that I could have taken with a shorter lens, but the image looks much better when I use the 70-200 f/2.8 (although I'm usually using it nearer to f/4) and stand farther away to get approximately the same frame. The compression and quality of the out-of-focus background has a great look to it. So I could use it as a sports lens (and a lot of people do), but I actually tend to use more like a portrait lens.
Tim Campbell
5D II, 5D III, 60Da

Buying a 70D body this week. Any lens suggestions would be VERY helpful.

I know a lot of people debate about getting a camera with a kit lens or getting the body and then a better lens. I am not asking about that. The deal I am getting through Adorama is for the body only so I have to get a separate lens. For right now I just want the best possible "general" lens I can get for a decent price. So I am considering getting the normal 18-55 STM lens that would normally come with the kit but I wanted some opinions about if there was anything better for the price or around the price. This is canons rebate form with some lenses and I would also consider 3rd party lens suggestions. http://www.adorama.com/pdfs/rebates/Canon_MIR_Nov_2014.pdf
If you had to get the body only please let me know what you would get for a general lens. If there is something similar to the kit lens price (or a little higher) that is better I would like to get that. Thank you!!

There are some really good choices out there for lenses but the EFS 18-55mm is one I would not even consider. Especially for a EOS 70D. It is a step up camera compared to the Rebel line for which the above lens is intended. It is always best to keep your equipment level in quality terms.
And if there is a "kit" out there that you like, that is the "best way" to get the lens the cheapest.
The EF 24-105mm f4 L is the best buy in the Canon line.
EOS 1Ds Mk III, EOS 1D Mk IV EF 50mm f1.2 L, EF 24-70mm f2.8 L,
EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II, Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 EX APO
Photoshop CS6, ACR 9, Lightroom 6

EF-S IS II vs. EF-S IS STM

What's the difference between a EF-S IS II lens, and a EF-S IS STM? Is the STM worth approximately $150 more than the IS II? Thanks, Bob

You can watch (and hear) the difference. Here's a YouTube video I stumbled across: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm8C76c-jtA
The 18-135mm STM is quiet to the point that I cannot hear a thing. The 40mm makes a _very_ slight hum. The 18-135 non-STM makes quite a racket and is very slow.
Unfortunately the person recording the video to compare the focus speed of a lens with USM motors. Those lenses tend to be QUITE snappy.
The USM lenses allow for full-time manual focus even when in auto-focus mode because of how the system works. You can think of the focus ring as mechanically engaging the focus... but with a "clutch" adjusted to allow slippage. The regular lenses (non-USM and non-STM) use gears -- there is no slippage and Canon recommends against attempting to focus the lens manually if it's in "AF" mode. The STM lenses allow for full-time (well... semi-full-time) manual focus with the caveat that there is actually no mechanical linkage to the focus system at all... it's completely focus-by-wire. So when you turn the focus (manually) you're really just sending commands to the computer to move the focus mechanism. This means the camera has to be "awake" to operate the lens (whereas with other lenses you can even focus the lens when the camera is completely powered off.)
Tim Campbell
5D II, 5D III, 60Da

18-135mm STM lens...Opinions?

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