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Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
Jun 21, 2015 06:46:35 #
I am considering upgrading from my Canon 7D to the 7D Mk II. Is the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens worth the money and needed for video? Thanks, Gary
Jun 21, 2015 07:17:44 #
gwong1 wrote:
I am considering upgrading from my Canon 7D to the 7D Mk II. Is the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens worth the money and needed for video? Thanks, Gary
Short answer: Yes , to the first question.
Longer answer: it is a good lens with a very useful focal range. It is better than it's predecessor and virtually silent. It is relatively inexpensive and can be acquired for around $300+ on ebay , new. Mine lives on my camera as the default lens.
There are clearly alternatives from Canon and others. Do you need it for video? Only you can answer that. It is good for video, but so are other lenses.
What, if anything, are you considering as alternatives?
Jun 21, 2015 07:24:44 #
gwong1 wrote:
I am considering upgrading from my Canon 7D to the 7D Mk II. Is the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens worth the money and needed for video? Thanks, Gary
I have and use this lens. I am Very Happy with the performance and results I get with it with stills and video.
There may be other options but I don't think you would be at all disappointed with the Canon 18-135mm IS STM.
Jun 21, 2015 07:50:02 #
Peter, Thank you. I own the 24-70L, 70-300L, and the EF-S 18-200 lenses that I would consider using video with. I have had focus issues when zooming too quickly. So I am considering this lens, but it duplicates what I have. Have you had similar experiences? Gary
Peterff wrote:
Short answer: Yes , to the first question. br br ... (show quote)
Jun 21, 2015 08:02:11 #
gwong1 wrote:
Peter, Thank you. I own the 24-70L, 70-300L, and the EF-S 18-200 lenses that I would consider using video with. I have had focus issues when zooming too quickly. So I am considering this lens, but it duplicates what I have. Have you had similar experiences? Gary
I don't do much video, and can't compare to your other lenses. However, now your question is expressed more clearly hopefully others can chime in with relevant knowledge .
Jun 21, 2015 08:18:42 #
Peter, Thank you, I do not do much video either, but want to with the new camera. Gary
Peterff wrote:
I don't do much video, and can't compare to your other lenses. However, now your question is expressed more clearly hopefully others can chime in with relevant knowledge .
Jun 22, 2015 06:48:59 #
I purchased the Canon T5i which came with the 18-135mm STM lens. I love it. Attached the lens to the body and saw this squirrel on the roof.
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Jun 22, 2015 07:07:24 #
Thank you, how does it perform with video, zooming in and out? Gary
Digicamkay wrote:
I purchased the Canon T5i which came with the 18-135mm STM lens. I love it. Attached the lens to the body and saw this squirrel on the roof.
Jun 22, 2015 07:14:14 #
Smooth manual zoom and no focus motor sound in video because of stepping motor. STM lenses are designed for video.
Jun 22, 2015 07:42:55 #
gwong1 wrote:
I am considering upgrading from my Canon 7D to the 7D Mk II. Is the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens worth the money and needed for video? Thanks, Gary
I owned that lens and found it to be the one I used most often. It gets great reviews from all the online sources like Ken Rockwell and The Digital Picture and many other sources. I sold mine because I upgraded to a 24 -105mm L lens because I also have a full fram Canon and wanted one I could use on both cameras. I think you would really like it.
Jun 22, 2015 10:12:33 #
gwong1 wrote:
I am considering upgrading from my Canon 7D to the 7D Mk II. Is the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens worth the money and needed for video? Thanks, Gary
I have read that the "new" 18-135 is an excellent video lens. It is supposed to keep moving objects in focus much better than the earlier version. In a sense, it seems to be designed for video.
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Jun 22, 2015 10:58:37 #
Last Saturday evening I used my copy of the 18-135mm set-up on my 7D Mark II, for a video of a friends band. It worked out much better than expected. As I zoomed the lens followed focus, and the camera recorded excellent audio through a external mic. I also used my 6D, with a 40mm pancake, and 7D Classic with my old 50mm 1.8. The video is now in post and I'll probably have the finished project later this week. Oh, the band was on a stage with great lighting. I metered the stage from all three camera angles to get the lighting more or less balanced.
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Jun 22, 2015 11:06:05 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Jrhoffman75 wrote:
Smooth manual zoom and no focus motor sound in video because of stepping motor. STM lenses are designed for video.
That's correct... for video in particular, the STM lens are generally preferable to any Canon lenses with micro motor or USM focus drive. (Note: there are micro motor versions of 18-135mm.)
The T5i and later models are optimized for use with STM lenses. The 70D and later models (incl. T6i, T6S and 7DII) have more advanced "Dual Pixel" AF in Live View and video modes.
Jun 22, 2015 11:08:15 #
gwong1 wrote:
I am considering upgrading from my Canon 7D to the 7D Mk II. Is the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens worth the money and needed for video? Thanks, Gary
I have been considering getting one of these too. But I'm afraid it won't get much use, but for the right price I'll put one in my bag. I found one that is new for $200 but it's not so close to me. I'll wait till I see one in my neck of the woods and then pop for one.
Jun 22, 2015 11:09:35 #
gwong1 wrote:
I am considering upgrading from my Canon 7D to the 7D Mk II. Is the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens worth the money and needed for video? Thanks, Gary
I upgraded from a T3i to the 7D Mk II, love it. Nothing wrong with the T3i's, I have two of those, the first one came with the 18-135 USM and it works great. When the STM version came out I purchased that one and it is almost dead silent when focusing. I got it as a factory refurb but sent it back for another check over as the focus wasn't near as sharp as my old USM, Canon adjusted it and for a kit lens it's now a pretty decent piece. With the new Mk II you can also do some fine tuning to the camera/lens, helps get them to a closer focus match.
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