Canon’s special announcement today is the its tiny new Rebel SL1 DSLR, but it has a second new DSLR to show off. The Rebel T5i succeeds the Rebel T4i (AKA 650D AKA Kiss X6i) as the new flagship Rebel, and is geared toward entry-level photographers.
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We shared a video of Canon’s Image Stabilization technology in action in the beginning of the year, but that was on a pro telephoto lens and inside a glass display case. What would the same technology look like in a cheaper, consumer lens? Preston over at Camera Technica decided to find out, disassembling a Canon 18-55mm kit lens to capture this short video of the IS mechanism in action. I had no idea the thing used springs, did you?

The Science of Image Stabilization Technology [Camera Technica]

This is one of the most intense do-it-yourself videos I’ve seen, showing how to hack a Canon 18-55mm kit lens into a super macro lens for extreme closeup shots. It involves sawing, disassembling the lens, using wires from a floppy drive cable, and all sorts of advanced awesomeness. Unless you’re extremely good with your hands, you probably won’t be trying this, but it’s very interesting to watch nonetheless.