To start things off, I have decided to write about the gears that both of us are currently using and also to let this be an information to those who may be searching for it. Since we started as "new" beginners, we will kick off the first article with Canon’s 2 version of standard kit lens. The EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS (Image Stabilizer) and the older brethel EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 Mark II. For those who bought EOS 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 300D, 350D, 400D and earlier batch of 450D, you would have probably bought the body in a kit package that came with EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 Mark II. For the later models like EOS 450D, 500D, 50D & the recently launched 550D, the IS version come as a kit lens. though there are other kit lens with more versatile focal range (18-135mm, 18-200mm & 15-85mm), the 18-55mm is still by far the most popular "starter" lens -given its price and usable range.

* Picture:  EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 Mark II.

* Picture:  EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS.

I own both of these kit lens and though I have given the Non-IS version away, I am writing up a quick overview on the 2 lenses’ performance and usability.

Like all kit lenses, you can never expect too much. Since the lens is designed and constructed for the consumer market (mass market), the build quality of the Canon’s kit lenses are known to be "plasticky",  "cheapo" and sometimes "unusable". The cost for making these lenses has to be kept really low to remain competitive among the competition. (Place a Nikon’s Nikkor or Sony Alpha’s equivalent side by side and you know what I am talking about). However, the look and feel of the lens does not really tell or readily announce it’s capability. Someone quoted as saying "with some practice, you can still get good photos from this kit lens" and I must agree. Since returning back to photography, I re-started the passion again via the digital route with an entry level DSLR the Canon EOS 500D that came with the IS Kit Lens. I exploited both the camera and the kit lens to the extreme putting this combo through the paces of landscape, macro, nightscape and every other genre of photography that one can think of. The image quality improved with time once I get accustomed to the lens’ limitations and so this lens CAN produce reasonably good photos as well.

Between the newer IS and the older Mark II version, the most visible change is the redesigned zoom ring rubber grip. The IS gets the finer grip lines while the Mark II has a broader grip lines. The IS version is slightly larger in size, but it takes an eagle eye to spot the size difference. In addition to the "IS" switch and a better focus ring on the newcomer, there isn’t really much difference between the two. Image wise, both are comparably (or acceptably) good – only when used properly. I will leave that to your imagination.

* Picture:  EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 Mark II.

* Picture:  EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS.

Some User Facts/ Information:
(If you are looking for the specs, please google yourself, it’s all over the internet.)
– Filter Size is 58mm
– Lens Hood is EW-60C (Sold separately).
– Both the IS & Mark II version is NOT suitable for Infra-red Photography (IR)
– Both are plastic mount.
– The IS is not the same IS found on higher end models – simplified version. 
– Focal Range when converted to Full Frame sensors – 29-88mm.
– EF-S is designed solely for use on Canon’s EOS Cropped Bodies.

What I Like:
– Light and good for travelling
– Magnification is exceptionally good thus making it suitable for light macro use.
– Cheap to replace if damaged.
– IS on the newer version.
– Sharp photos at 24mm and 35mm stops.

What I Hate:
– Plastic mount.
– No distance scale.

– Cheap "feel".
– Every other person is using it.
– No or very low Resale value. (Brand New RRP SGD $369, Used SGD $90)

*Picture Source Internet.