Len Canon EF-S 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS
Len Canon EF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 IS is Canon's latest zoom lens for APS-C format DSLRs, introduced as a companion to the EOS 50D. Its announcement in August this year came as no great surprise, as wide focal length range 'superzooms' are clearly popular amongst photographers seeking an all-in-one lens for travel and everyday shooting. The most obvious example of this is the runaway success of Nikon's AF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G VR, and Len Canon equivalent has almost certainly been the most-requested lens on our forums.
With its 11x zoom range, the 18-200mm becomes Len Canon's most ambitious consumer-level zoom to date; the company has previously shied away from producing relatively inexpensive superzooms, with its only previous foray into this sector being Len Canon 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 (USM) for 35mm SLRs from late 2000. And while it's this older lens that Len Canon 18-200mm most strongly resembles, Canon has managed to squeeze plenty more into the design in the intervening eight years. The zoom ratio has been stretched to a 35mm-equivalent range of 29-320mm, and the new lens incorporates Canon's latest compact image stabilization unit (as seen on len canon EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS and Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4.5-5.6 IS), which offers automatic panning detection and (according to the company) four stops of stabilization. All this has been achieved using a suitably complex optical design of 16 elements in 12 groups, including two UD glass elements and two aspherical elements which are designed to minimize chromatic aberration and ensure crisp corner-to-corner detail across the zoom range. Rounding off the specification is a minimum focus distance of 45cm/1.5ft at all focal lengths.
pic : Len Canon EF-S 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS
Len Canon EF-S 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS specifications
| Street price | • $699 (US) |
|---|---|
| Date introduced | August 2008 |
| Maximum format size | APS-C |
| Focal length | 18-200mm |
| 35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C) | 29-320mm |
| Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C) | 74º - 8º |
| Maximum aperture | F3.5-5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | F22-36 |
| Lens Construction | • 16 elements/12 groups |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 6, rounded |
| Minimum focus | 0.45m/1.5ft |
| Maximum magnification | 0.24x at 200mm |
| AF motor type | Micro motor |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Image stabilization | • 4 stops |
| Filter thread | • 72mm • Does not rotate on focus |
| Supplied accessories | • Front and rear caps |
| Optional accessories | • EW-78D Hood • Case |
| Weight | 600 g (21.2 oz) |
| Dimensions | 79 mm diameter x 102 mm length (3.1 x 4.0 in) |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF-S only |
| Other | Supplies distance information for E-TTL II flash metering |
