LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

My Canon 7D came with an 18 - 135 mm kit lens. I also have a 12 - 24 mm and a 70 - 200 "L." The 18 - 135 is my workhorse, but I'm thinking of upgrading.

Have any of you replaced your kit lens with a comparable lens of better quality? If so, can you share your experiences?

Thank you ...

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Is the 18-135mm lens the newer STM lens? If so, I'd keep it. It's a nice lens.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I have regretted getting rid of every lens I have sold. The only lenses I keep are 2.8 or faster, but every now and then I wish I had them back. for instance, I send in a lens for repair and the kit lens could have been a good back up. going to be crawling in the mud...wet med...puddles...for a documentary for the Army, would rather have those kit lenses to bang up.

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

It's an EFS with IS ...

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

I'm wondering if I would notice a significant increase in quality. For example, the 70-200 "L" is, to me, noticeable sharper.

Kuzano

Who's right on this one. I once read a lens review from Ken Rockwell on a lens Nikon built for film camera's during the "N" camera era. The lens was a standard kit lens for N55 to N85 film camera's. It was a cheap little G lens (no aperture ring - "gelded" per Ken). It was a 28-80 f3.3, and you could buy them endlessly on eBay for about $50 dollars. I bought 6 and used them on verious Nikon F mount camera's. I also used them on a number of Fujifilm S3 and S5 Pro bodies (Nikon D200 platform w/ Fujifilm digital sensor and electronics) and they were superb for IQ and sharpness.

They autofocus'd on everything I put them on except the "no focus motor" camera's, and they were sharper than most other Nikon lenses purchased at any price.

Who knows WTF you get when you buy different grade lenses from many manufacturer's.

I do know this is one more examply of why I don't buy anything without checking what Ken Rockwell says. It never hurts to look. Many blast the guy, but he's saved me a bunch of money, including calling Nikon and Canon lenses "turds" when they are.

Check Ken before making a move is my motto:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm

I also listened to a pretty savvy guy (not Ken) tell me L lenses from Canon are over rated. A couple I've used certainly have been.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

OK. Ask yourself why that lens is no longer adequate, and be able to provide evidence that would stand up to scrutiny.

If you can do that, you don't really need our affirmation. If you cannot do that, then how would you choose a better lens and which one?

That lens you have is a decent lens, the STM version is a little better, do you need to go beyond it? Would it alter your work?

I keep upgrading when I know why and can afford or justify the expense, otherwise I try to work on my own abilities which is usually cheaper and more productive.

Do I know what's on my wish list, sure. However I am not convinced that spending $6000 would make my work that much better except in a very few cases.

Can you explain why that 18-135 EF-S IS lens isn't good enough in terms of your results?

Cameras are a bit like cars. Many people want a Ferrari yet could not even drive a Fiat 500 competently!

Is this based upon actual and specified need, desire, or just wanting to be seen with a white lens?

I'm not trying to cast aspersions at you, but what do you need to upgrade for, specifically?

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

Can you explain why that 18-135 EF-S IS lens isn't good enough in terms of your results?

Is this based upon actual and specified need, desire, or just wanting to be seen with a white lens?

Two things: I'm lending the 18-135 to my husband who has a new camera but no lenses. So I'm wondering if I should give it to him and buy a new lens for myself. The sharpness of the 70-200 is amazingly better than the 18-135 which I hadn't noticed since I use the 18-135 most of the time.

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

Check Ken before making a move is my motto:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm

Ken is a great and frank source of information. Thanks for reminding me, as I haven't zeroed in on him for a long while. His review is amazingly positive. Even he was surprised how positive his was on this lens. I'll try to remember him more often.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

That makes perfect sense, and explains the scenario. I did a very similar thing when I got a camera for my spouse.

Upgrade your spouse (or at least their photographic equipment) and yourself with a single purchase, it makes very good sense!

Thanks for giving a clear, concise, and insightful response.

Buy the lens!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I'm curious, what Nikon body did you use the crappy Canon L lens's on?!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

If it's the newer 18-135 STM, which is also EF-S and IS as was the original, you really don't need to replace it. But if it was the kit lens to the original 7D then probably not an STM model. The 18-135 STM was the factory lens on my 70D. If you want a L lens but don't want to spend too much money, pick up a nice used EF 24-105 f/4L. Don't buy a new one, especially at retail price, they're not worth that kind of money. But a nice used one for around $450ish, well worth the money. A lot of people put down the 24-105L because it's made primarily of plastic, but it's a really good plastic. Also, if you can find a nice EF 28-70 f/2.8L for a good price, grab it.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I don't think the 18-135 is a kit lens. Just because a lens comes in a kit, does not make it a kit lens.
What lens are you thinking of getting that will actually go to 18mm on a crop camera and have any range?? It will take several lenses to replace!!!
Check the MTF charts of the lenses you consider or read the reviews at "The Digital Picture". Not to many have the expertise to compare lenses.
I usually say, if you want a better quality built lens, then upgrade. If you are looking for better IQ, you might be very disappointed!
Anyway, good luck. ;-)
SS

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

You can try to sell on ebay but you'll be giving it away. Keep your lens as its perfect for video. But, upgrade to the 24-105L. You won't regret it.

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

Unnecessary ...