18-55 STM vs Tamron vs Yongnuo

So... i recently ordered a used Canon SL1 and i'm trying to figure out what particular lens i should pair it with. This is not a camera i need on a daily basis, nor do i want multiple lenses at this point.

My budget for this is limited, so i narrowed my search to the latest version of the kit lens, which i read is a different design than the older 18-55 IS II and sharper, tamron 17-55 f2.8 and the yongnuo 50mm f1.8.

These are all different lens, but my main concern is sharpness. The tamron would probably be the best compromise overall, but is also the most expensive.

The yongnuo and the kit lens are priced equally, but i have no idea how sharp they are between them but also compared to the tamron or the older kit lens, which i am familiar with.

In conclusion, i need some pointers from you folks. I am OK sticking with either the STM version of the kit lens or should i double my budget and try to get a used tamron 17-50?

Having used the 18-55 II, IS I and IS II i can say I was never impressed by them, they were neither fast nor sharp, but maybe the STM version will at least be sharper.

I am biased towards the tamron 17-50 because i know that lens and i was delighted by it on my old 400D until i smashed it soon after getting it.

Never quite managed to get over the fact.

I am now a compact camera user, however there is no denying dslrs have something special about them, something mirrorless doesn't have.

So i am looking forward to getting my new to me 100D but i am still undecided about the optics question.

I will upload some of my old tamron 17-50 images in a few minutes, i think the images that lens produced(non VR version) held up very well, it was only the resolution of the canon 400D that held it back.

Digirame wrote:

The Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC was rated the best on one website that I saw. On Ebay, I saw one that was rated in mint condition for about $226 (USD), including free shipping to most parts of the USA.

That's sane advice, especially since i can get the older version of the tamron for around $130 locally.

Not sure the stabilized version is better, Ken Rockwell made sure to point out the flaws in Tamron's design, occasionally making that lens less sharp.

One more advantage for the Tamron- it goes wider than the kit lens, something that becomes obvious once you compare the images with the ones produced by the kit lens.

I dunno much 'bout the tamron lens. But what I can say is this:

I just upgraded to the f/3.5-5.6 version of the 18-55mm IS STM and am very happy with it. It focuses practically silently!

I've heard the yonguo lens is pretty bad - as only get it if you absolutely can't afford the canon version. If you want a 50mm, get either:

1. Canon EF 50m f/1.8 II
2. Canon EF 50m f/1.8 STM

The STM version is better, but more pricey.

Jethro B-UK wrote:

I just upgraded to the f/3.5-5.6 version of the 18-55mm IS STM and am very happy with it. It focuses practically silently!

Alright... How about sharpness?

Focus noise is relevant, but since the shutter is noisy anyway on most dslrs and people notice you because of the size of the camera, the noise the lens makes isn't as critical- unless you're a professional shooting indoor weddings and stuff.

As for the video part(where AF noise would be picked up by the camera mike)- do people actually shoot videos with dslrs? In my mind this would be like a man who decides to ride a dinosaur instead of a horse- mirrorless cameras seem more suitable for the task than any dslr.

As dig said,

DSLRs (the modern one's) are just as good as mirrorless at shooting videos.

One example of this is canon's EOS 90d.

I dunno.

The 18-55mm IS STM is supposed to be canon's best APS-C kit lens ever.

Mind you, I haven't heard 'bout the new RF-S kit lens yet.......

Jethro B-UK wrote:

I dunno.

The 18-55mm IS STM is supposed to be canon's best APS-C kit lens ever.

Apparently there are two STM versions, one starting at f3.5 and the other at f4.

This is confusing, back in my day we had 18-55 I, II and the 2.8 pro version.

Now there's like 7-8 of them around.

Rambow wrote:

Apparently there are two STM versions, one starting at f3.5 and the other at f4.

This is confusing, back in my day we had 18-55 I, II and the 2.8 pro version.

Now there's like 7-8 of them around.

That is correct.

The 2 STM versions are very similar, and, apart from the aperture difference you noted, the same. But with one difference.

The f/4-5.6 version is a fair bit smaller than the f/3.5-5.6 version.

Here's a comparison:

https://camerasize.com/compact/#660.377,660.640,ha,t

This is the two lenses mounted on an 80D. The f/3.5 version is on the right.

EDIT: The f/4 version is 4 years newer, and officially the newest and current one.

Jethro B-UK wrote:

This is the two lenses mounted on an 80D. The f/3.5 version is on the right.

Sorry, the f/3.5 version is actually on the left.