I don't have anywhere near enough money to buy really good lenses for my 500d and only have the 18-55 IS kit lens and 55-250 IS lenses. I was considering selling it to get the much better 50mm f1.8 prime lens....But, I want something wider too, I can't afford t get the 50mm lens and keep the 18-55, so it's now out of the question.
Anyway, I thought, as I am stuck with the 18-55 lens, is there a slightly better one I could use rather than the IS version, as I'm not really overawed with it's performance and the reviews of it aren't brilliant either.
I often look at the Ken Rockwell site for reviews etc and it seems he prefers the old 18-55 lens to the newer IS one: If you scroll down to the Recommendations part
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/18-55mm-is.htm
I'm not too bothered about the IS on this lens, so that's not an issue. The thing is, although I normally trust Ken Rockwell's opinion of cameras and equipment, most other sites, including reviews on Amazon say the IS 18-55 lens is better.
I'm thinking about buying one cheaply on ebay to see if there is much dfference between the two.
If there isn't much difference in image quality etc., that I can see, then I could sell the IS lens and have a bit of money over for something else I need.