18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens (X Factor?)

[Reefbone]

I am considering getting the Canon Rebel XT with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens . My question is two fold. Would the lens allow for good close up pictures ( Macro Types)? And Secondly, what would the comparable x factor be? When I say X factor I mean the point and shoots for example advertize a 4x optical zoom. What is an estimate of the X for a 55mm lens?

 

[gregr]

Your second question is easier to answer (for the first one I have to go to another site to get the exact figures) so I'll answer that one first.
The "X" number that manufacturers use merely describes how much longer [how much more telephoto] the lens is than wide. The X number is calculated by dividing the long end of the lens by the wide end. So a 10-100mm zoom lens is 10x because it's 10 times longer than it is wide. The 18-55mm zoom lens has 3x optical zoom (18 goes into 55 three times). It's not really a very useful number and I see it more as an advertising gimmick.
grrr- I struck out trying to find the magnification ratio. I did find though that the minimum focus distance is about 11". A 55mm lens a t 11 inches will give you ok macro performance- not great.
Ideally for close-ups you'd want a lens that does true 1:1 magnification, like the Canon 100mm macro lens. Tamron and Sigma make good third party alternatives.
hth,
Greg

 

[Reefbone]

Thanks Greg, Appreciate your answering my newbie question.

 

[gregr]

That's what we're here for