<p>All, <br> Has anyone done any direct comparisons between the kit 18-55mm IS (not the II version) vs newest STM version?</p> <p>I have other (bigger, heavier) lenses for serious work on a (bigger, heavier) 6D, but I've always appreciated the small size and light weight of the kit lens on a small DSLR (T2i) for family outings or other occasions when smaller matters to me. However, I've never been at all happy with the kit lens, especially at the long end. I realize it's not L, so I don't expect miracles, but on my copy even stopped down the long end is simply atrocious, especially with resolution. Soft, muddled, low contrast. Maybe that's normal? Or maybe mine's a bad copy?</p> <p>In any case, I read online that people speak relatively highly of Canon's kit lenses, at least compared to other kit lenses, and in particular the new STM is getting pretty good press. </p> <p>My question is whether or not it's worth picking up. I've got limited funds so it's not easy for me to spend on camera equipment, even relatively inexpensive items. </p> <p>I'm most interested in resolution. Has anyone directly compared the original IS version (again, not the II version) with the STM? Or can anyone point me to something online?</p> <p>By the way, I looked at Canon's MTF charts and they do show an improvement for the STM veresion over original IS. But, I'm not always sure what that translates into in real life shooting. </p> <p>Thanks. </p>