Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is a 18-135mm APS-C zoom lens with a Canon EF-S mount, Nano USM autofocus motor, built-in image stabilisation, 7-blade aperture, 67mm filter thread, 0.39m minimum focus distance, and a weight of 515g.

Key Specifications

• Focal length: 18–135mm (equivalent to approx. 28.8–216mm on APS-C)
• Maximum aperture: f/3.5 (wide) – f/5.6 (tele)
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• AF motor: USM (Nano USM — combines Ring USM speed with STM smoothness)
• Image stabilisation: Yes
• Aperture blades: 7
• Filter thread: 67mm
• Minimum focus distance: 0.39m
• Weight: 515g
• Lens mount: Canon EF-S (APS-C DSLR)

What makes the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM special?

The standout feature here is the Nano USM motor — a Canon technology that blends the fast, snappy response of a Ring USM with the near-silent, smooth movement of an STM motor. That means you get quick, decisive autofocus for stills and fluid, quiet focus pulls when you're shooting video. It's one of the few lenses in the EF-S lineup that genuinely serves both use cases without compromise.

Compare that to the older Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM — that lens is fine for video but noticeably slower for action and fast-moving subjects. The USM version closes that gap significantly. And compared to something like the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, you gain extra reach at the long end (135mm vs 85mm) while keeping a very similar close-focus capability at 0.39m.

If you're comparing to the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS Macro HSM, the Canon trades zoom range for a wider maximum aperture at the tele end — f/5.6 vs f/6.3 — which matters in lower light at distance. The Canon also tends to feel more cohesively matched to Canon bodies in terms of AF integration and stabilisation communication.

The 7-blade aperture produces reasonably pleasing background blur for a travel zoom, and the 67mm filter thread is a practical size that fits a wide range of affordable filters. At 515g, it's not featherweight, but it's compact enough that it doesn't dominate the bag.

Who is the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM for?

This lens is built for photographers who want one lens to cover almost everything — without lugging around a bag full of glass. The 18mm wide end handles architecture, interiors, and landscapes, while 135mm gives you enough reach for candid portraits, wildlife at moderate distance, and travel shots where you can't always get close.

If you shoot DSLR and travel light, this is one of the most practical single-lens solutions available for Canon APS-C bodies. It pairs well with cameras like the Canon EOS 90D or Canon EOS Rebel SL3 — bodies that share its APS-C sensor size and EF-S mount.

It's also a strong choice for content creators and vloggers using a Canon DSLR. The Nano USM motor keeps focus transitions smooth and quiet on-camera, and the image stabilisation helps with handheld video where you don't want a full gimbal setup.

Portrait photographers who want occasional versatility will appreciate the 135mm end and the 0.39m close-focus distance, which lets you fill the frame with small subjects without needing a dedicated macro lens. It won't replace a fast prime for bokeh, but as a do-it-all travel companion, it punches well above its weight class.

Buying a used Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Buying a used version of this lens is a smart move — it's a robust, mechanically straightforward zoom that holds up well over time. That said, there are a few things worth checking before you commit.

First, inspect the zoom and focus rings. They should rotate smoothly without any grinding, stiffness, or wobble. The 18-135mm zoom range gets used across its full extent on most trips, so wear on the zoom mechanism is normal — but it should still feel controlled. Next, look through both ends of the lens at a light source: any internal fungus will appear as web-like patterns, and haze or fogging will reduce contrast noticeably. A small amount of dust is cosmetically normal and rarely affects image quality.

Check the autofocus by mounting the lens on a compatible body and running it through several focus cycles — USM motors are durable but a failed motor is not cheap to replace. Also test the image stabilisation: when enabled, you should hear and feel a faint compensating movement as you pan the lens.

Every pre-owned lens on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually photographed and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty, so you can buy with confidence. The actual warranty period for each item is shown on the variant listing. Returns within 14 days are also possible if the lens isn't what you expected.