Canon 18-55 & 55-250 combo or Canon 18-200 lens on 50D

futrcndctr wrote in post #8951356
I was in your boat a couple months ago. I started out with the 18-55 and the 55-250 (not knowing that I would really start to love photography), but found they weren't meeting my needs. I do a lot of indoor shooting, so the f/4-5.6 wasn't cutting it. The 55-250 was great for the price, but I wanted a faster lens for night/indoor sports, so I ended up selling it. I got the Tamron 17-50/2.8 for $270 on ebay. That's way more flexible than the 18-55. For $600, I'd get the Tamron 17-50/2.8 ($275-300 used), the Canon 55-250 ($200 used), and the Canon 50mm/1.8 ($80 used).

+1. This is what I did, although had I gotten the Tamron first I'd likely end up not buying the Nifty (50/1.8).

I think Tamron 17-50/2.8 + Canon 55-250 IS make the perfect combo, inexpensive yet with an excellent IQ.

I'd say the 18-55IS or the Tamron 17-50 plus the 55-250IS if you want two lenses. If you don't want to carry two lenses, I'd recommend the Sigma 18-125OS over the 18-200 - it has less optical compromises. If you absolutely have to have the extra focal length, the choice between the Canon 18-200, Tamron 18-270 VC and the Sigma 18-250 OS is pretty much arbitrary - each has strengths and weaknesses.

Nitecruiser wrote in post #8953065
borism, thank you.
Yes, I am falling to photography. This is not going to be my career, but I would like to have room to improved and get better lenses after I got better.

I may start with 18-200IS. But, someone mentioned about Tamron 18-270VC. It's quite nice. How's the build quality and image quality compare to Canon 18-200IS though?

Thank's.

Hi Nitecruiser
I tend to favor Canon lens over 3rd party lens just because there is no guessing as if it works, Canon just works,
having said that you should read lightrules review of the Tamron 18-270 VC, many favor the Tamron for its extended range and good image quality.

All my comments I have made are oriented towards addressing your thread question about the kit combo vs the 18-200IS.

So here is my bottom line if you ask me for a starter kit:

If you want a starter kit with convenience in mind for casual shooting of family reunions, school acts and at the same time having a flexible learning tool
I would go with the 18-200IS and 50D.
What you can do with the kit combo pretty much you can do with the superzoom IMO.
Now,
If you want to invest on a more "professional" quality pair of lens that will on the long run allow you to grow your skills as you get better I would go for the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (even the new VC version yet to be available if you can pull the money) plus a Canon 70-200 f4L

Off course this is a lot more money, but will give you much better Image quality on the long run and will give you room to grow as you become a better photographer but you will let the convenience factor go.

You can and probably will get these type of lens in the future

Here is the bottom line:
The most important thing is that you invest time in learning the craft and learn the most to maximize the use of the tools you have at hand

The photographer takes the picture, is not the camera or the lens.. is you.

Your tools will grow with time as you find what you like to shoot the most being Sports, Portraits, etc.

I hope my opinions help you, Have in mind I am just a hobbyist / enthusiast and I don't think I will ever make a dime from my pictures, but they sure make me happy

Have fun

PS don't forget to think about a flash (more food for thought

Here's my take on this. I totally agree with Borism. The only difference I own the Tamron 18-270 and I love it for what it is.

Yes, the 18-55 IS + 55-250 IS will give you a tad better optical performance, however I know from experience that people who go with the 2 Canon lens solution WILL miss precious shots due to not having the right lens on the camera at the time. And a tiny bit worse IQ photo is still better than no photo at all.

I started out with the Canon lens combo on my 40D a year and a half ago. I liked them but changing lenses often was a bit of hassle to me and I occasionally missed shots due to that. In addition, the plastic mounts on the canon lenses were, although solid, still a little concerning. So I did a bunch of research (including Lightrules' tests) and bought the Tamron 18-270 VC. Got a good deal because at that time Bing cashback (Microsoft Live back then) was 25 %, so the lens cost me only $450.00 shipped, new from an authorized dealer.
But the Canon 18-200 is also a very good lens, I just had a better deal on the Tamron and preferred that lens anyway a bit to the Canon.

Anyway, since I had all three lenses at the same time for about a month, I did a bunch of comparison tests myself, which can be found in the Lens Sample Archive under the Tamron 18-270 VC topic. The results were excellent, I'd say my copy of the Tamron is 98% as good as the Canon combo. So I sold my 2 Canon lenses.

Note that I have other lenses too and I'm not against changing lenses. I do change lenses on my cameras. But going on a vacation or the beach etc. the Tamron superzoom does an excellent job and I don't miss my Canon combo. And let's face it, those Canons aren't pro lenses anyway, so if someone wants ultimate IQ then he/she is not going to use the 18-55 IS or 55-250 IS for that.

And I totally disagree with people who believe that if you don't like or want to change lenses on a DSLR then you might as well get a P&S instead. There is just so much more to DSLRs superiority vs P&S than just being able to change lenses: high ISO performance, depth of field, dynamic range, shutter speed, burst speed, manual control etc. So to call a P&S an alternative to a DSLR + superzoom lens is silly IMHO.

Of course the best solution would be having 2-3 different bodies and put top lenses on each for different purposes for best quality. But then again who wants to carry all that stuff to the zoo or vacation etc. Not me. I have 4 lenses and 2 bodies but I usually only take my older body (40D) and my Tamron on vacation. Superzooms are a compromise but you're not sacrificing as much as some people believe (mostly those who don't own one).

Thank you all for a very good info.
I am going to place an order for 50D with 18-200 IS to begin with. Plus, I will be going to Asia coming month, want to make sure it will be all in one lens for me. Plus, I am no pro level. So, I think this would be a good decision.

I appreciate much of all your info.

Nitecruiser wrote in post #8954241
Thank you all for a very good info.
I am going to place an order for 50D with 18-200 IS to begin with. Plus, I will be going to Asia coming month, want to make sure it will be all in one lens for me. Plus, I am no pro level. So, I think this would be a good decision.

I appreciate much of all your info.

Your welcome.
Hope your choice is the best for u. Enjoy photography and remember to upload your Asia photos here (I'm Asian..)
cheers

How about 17-40 L and 50-250 IS combo?

I have the ef-s 18-200 and the convenience factor is very high. Nice outdoor lens, effective IS and most importantly, very fun to use. One of its weakness is its low light/indoor capabilities. So to compensate for its weakness, I have with it a ,sigma 30mm f/1.4.

Nitecruiser wrote in post #8960718
How about 17-40 L and 50-250 IS combo?

Nitecruiser
I wouldn't consider the 17-40L unless you have intention to move to a a full frame camera in the near future.. witch I guess you are not, since you are talking about getting a 50D now

The 17-40 is f4 lens, so not too fast there, it doesn't have IS and is pretty expensive for what it is IMO

I see your budget target has come up, then:

If you want a combo, consider a Tamron 17-50 f2.8, or wait for the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VC (Tamron Image Stabilization)that would be available in the next few weeks for Canon mounts
It is 10mm longer, and faster with great IQ.
If you want to go all the way you can go up to a EFS 17-55 IS f2.8 witch is the top normal zoom for crop cameras.
A lot more money we are talking here starting from a Canon kit combo or a 18-200is btw

You might also consider the new and apparently very good Canon EFS 15-85 IS at 800$ covering great range with very nice IQ I hear.

Then you can pair it with the 50-205 IS witch is a great bargain zoom lens

Just trying to help
Cheers

borism, thank's so much for your help and knowledge.
I have been changing my minds and just placed an order for 50D + 18-55 IS & 55-250 IS.
I will start with this and go from there.

sorry to make you guys confused. But, I have a long way to go to be like most of you here. hehehe..

Can't wait to get the gear.
Thank's again.

Arseto

Nitecruiser wrote in post #8961823
borism, thank's so much for your help and knowledge.
I have been changing my minds and just placed an order for 50D + 18-55 IS & 55-250 IS.
I will start with this and go from there.

sorry to make you guys confused. But, I have a long way to go to be like most of you here. hehehe..

Can't wait to get the gear.
Thank's again.

Arseto

I said it before and I'll say it again: if you want to shoot moving subjects in poor light, you need a hotshoe flash like the 430ex.

timbop wrote in post #8961937
I said it before and I'll say it again: if you want to shoot moving subjects in poor light, you need a hotshoe flash like the 430ex.

umm...ok...but where did the o.p. mention anything about shooting moving subjects in poor light...

I think you should read this review on 50D before you buying it:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …al-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx

hmm do they actually sell 18-55 Rebel kit lens with 50D?
I think you'd be better off with 50D + 70-200f/4L or 28-135IS kit lens now and get another lens later

Nitecruiser wrote in post #8961823
borism, thank's so much for your help and knowledge.
I have been changing my minds and just placed an order for 50D + 18-55 IS & 55-250 IS.
I will start with this and go from there.

sorry to make you guys confused. But, I have a long way to go to be like most of you here. hehehe..

Can't wait to get the gear.
Thank's again.

Arseto

Nitecruiser
You'll be happy with your choice, Just take the time and learn how to use your tools,
learn what you like to shoot,
buy new stuff on a I need basis , not on a I want basis..
You'll find that is harder than it sounds

With Timbop comment, he is right,
sooner than later you will have to buy a flash to complement your kit when you want to use it in a low light / indoor situation
Your flash will be your best friend

Good luck and have fun

Congrats on your camera and lenses. You'll have plenty of good things to learn....both things you can do AND things you cannot. That's part of learning about limitations -- we can tell you things right now that might not mean too much until you get your feet wet with your own DSLR. So have fun and enjoy....and come back with your questions when you need to try something else.