Kit Lens: 18-55mm or 18-135mm?

[norybell]

I'm so excited -- I've finally decided it's time for my first DSLR. After much research and near-daily trips to Best Buy, I'm seriously leaning toward the Canon T2i.

I'll have the option of getting it with the standard 18-55mm kit lens, OR (for more $$, obviously) with an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.

Any suggestions on which would be the better choice for my first lens? I've been shooting with a Sony superzoom for the past few years, and I'm a bit worried I'll really miss my zoom, especially at Disney. But I'm also not used to walking around with a DSLR, so I'm worried about the weight, too -- I figure the lighter it is to start and the more comfortable I am walking around with it, the more I'll want to go out and practice.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[VVFF]

Personally, I'd go with the 18-55 and save your money for a better lens in the future. The 18-135 is versatile for sure, but at disney wide angle is king(AK being the exception). So the 18-55mm should do just as well as the 18-135mm. The 18-135 is a bit better build quality and doesn't rotate its front element which can be good for polarizers, but you are just starting...so I don't think that will come into play much.

Optically the 18-135mm falls apart at 70mm and above. So while it does have the added versatility of the expanded range, it isn't particularly good at it.

I know there are some fans of the 18-135mm lens here, I would rather see people save up for the 15-85mm which is a significant step up from the kit lens with added range.

Also, I personally believe that super-zooms sometimes make people "lazy" with their pictures. Some images are greatly improved by getting closer to the subject. If you can just zoom in on them, the temptation is there and it often leads to a flat, lifeless image. Going to a 3 x zoom range should cover most of your needs and where it doesn't see what you can do with the focal lengths you have!

[Marlton Mom]

I'm not a Canon person but I will tell you that I bought the kit lenses with my NIkon D60. They were 18-55 and 55-200. I am now in the process of purchasing an 18-105 lens because it was too much to keep switching back and forth between lenses and I was missing the shots that I saw because of the switching delay.

What I have done to prepare for this purchase is check out the lens reviews for all the lenses that I am considering purchasing. Just Google The "name of the lens" you want and "review" and stuff should come up. Many different people do these reviews and the info that is included sometimes can be a little different from one review to the next.

In no time you will start to understand the "lingo" and these reviews should give you a clearer understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each lens.

For me, the deciding factor was choosing the sharpest lens out of all the ones I was considering in the zoom category. I was torn between going to a 18-200 for the extra reach but, each choice comes with it's own advantages and disadvantages and I decided that I couldn't live with the lesser sharpness and the other disadvantages for what I wanted the lens to do.

It helps to have an idea of what you can live with and what you absolutely can't deal with when you are considering a lens purchase, but for a beginner with no frame of reference, the bottom line may very well be starting out with 1 lens that zooms across a larger range.

From there, with experience, you will start to understand how you like to capture images and your preference will become clearer.

In my opinion I don't think you will disappointed with the range the 18-135 gives you. It's a good start and it's the way I would go.

Good luck and good shooting!

Marlton Mom

[SrisonS]

I'd suggest going with the 18-135mm. That lens pretty much lives on my T1i. And the zoom range is great for Disney; especially if you don't want to switch out lenses. You'll hardly ever feel like you're too close or too far to get some good shots. I'd prefer to be closer for pictures myself; but you know at Disney, that's not always possible. And unless you're doing some serious picture inspecting, you might not notice a change in picture quality across the zoom range.

But here are some shots taken from 135mm....

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5246822406_bb3253178d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/5246822406/)
Tangled's Own.... Rapunzel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/5246822406/) by Scott Smith (SRisonS) (http://www.flickr.com/people/scottrsmith/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4950869263_bd9b4c1c37_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/4950869263/)
He Didn't "Mind The Gap" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/4950869263/) by Scott Smith (SRisonS) (http://www.flickr.com/people/scottrsmith/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4329957649_513d4992d4_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/4329957649/)
Rule #2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/4329957649/) by Scott Smith (SRisonS) (http://www.flickr.com/people/scottrsmith/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1185/5178317919_c933a11835_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/5178317919/)
Come And Get Your Jonas Fix!!! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/5178317919/) by Scott Smith (SRisonS) (http://www.flickr.com/people/scottrsmith/), on Flickr

[bob100]

I'm so excited -- I've finally decided it's time for my first DSLR. After much research and near-daily trips to Best Buy, I'm seriously leaning toward the Canon T2i.

I'll have the option of getting it with the standard 18-55mm kit lens, OR (for more $$, obviously) with an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.

Any suggestions on which would be the better choice for my first lens? I've been shooting with a Sony superzoom for the past few years, and I'm a bit worried I'll really miss my zoom, especially at Disney. But I'm also not used to walking around with a DSLR, so I'm worried about the weight, too -- I figure the lighter it is to start and the more comfortable I am walking around with it, the more I'll want to go out and practice.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I would get the 18-55IS - it's sharper than the 18-135. If you want extra reach you can also get the Canon 55-250IS (only $185 at adorama)
See lens comparisons here:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=678&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=0&LensComp=455&CameraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=0
or here:
www.photozone.de

Also, you can get a Canon T2i (550D) package cheaper at B&H, Adorama, etc. Best Buy doesn't (necessarily) offer the Best prices !

[norybell]

Thanks so much, everyone -- this is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

Now I think I'm leaning toward the 18-55, and putting the difference toward another, better lens at some point. Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind another hundred times or so before I actually buy. :goodvibes


Also, you can get a Canon T2i (550D) package cheaper at B&H, Adorama, etc. Best Buy doesn't (necessarily) offer the Best prices !
Yeah, I'll probably end up at B&H (better prices, and still the immediate gratification of not waiting for it to ship). I walk past a Best Buy on my way home from work, though, so I've been stopping in every day just to get a feel for the different models. I know B&H has more, though, so who knows, maybe I'll get there and end up falling in love with a totally different camera! (I kinda doubt it, though.)

I'm so excited!

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

I got the T2i with the 18-135mm IS lens. I like and would recommend it. I haven't gone to WDW with it yet, that's coming in late September.

[jimim]

I'm so excited -- I've finally decided it's time for my first DSLR. After much research and near-daily trips to Best Buy, I'm seriously leaning toward the Canon T2i.

I'll have the option of getting it with the standard 18-55mm kit lens, OR (for more $$, obviously) with an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.

Any suggestions on which would be the better choice for my first lens? I've been shooting with a Sony superzoom for the past few years, and I'm a bit worried I'll really miss my zoom, especially at Disney. But I'm also not used to walking around with a DSLR, so I'm worried about the weight, too -- I figure the lighter it is to start and the more comfortable I am walking around with it, the more I'll want to go out and practice.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

For xmas I got my wife the t2i cause she wanted to switch to a slr. we got the 18-135mm cause at the time b&h had a great deal. i didn't know what to think of this lens when i ordered but we went to disney right after that and i was real happy using it. i think it's a bargain for the price. i put it on my 7d once in a while and like using it. i think it's a great choice for a first lens. kristen feels that way. she likes it too! :) LOL

It is very light also. Doesn't feel very cheap either for being all plastic.

JMO. Once I figure out how to post pics I will throw some up. i have to do that tonight.

jim

[Anewman]

Neither lens is great... may as well get the one with more range and is built better, but it really depends how much of a premium you would be paying for it.

If it adds $300 to the body only price, check around and see what you could possibly get for that $300. Do the same with the 18-55mm.

[WilsonFlyer]

You may want to take a look at my thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2664603

As far as I'm concerned, all the kit lenses are crap. I know. I've had them all.

Buy the body only and put the $300 or so towards a nice lens in the thread above.

[bob100]

As far as I'm concerned, all the kit lenses are crap. I know. I've had them all.


strange that all the lens review sites rate the "crap kit lens" like the 18-55IS excellent in optical quality!
e.g.
www.photozone.de

or maybe it's not so strange.... could your opinion ... be wrong?

[Anewman]

deleted

[bob100]

Verdict from your link...


newsflash:

the 18-55IS is the "kit lens" !!!

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/181-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-f35-56-is-test-report--review?start=2


or


http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/404-canon_1855_3556is_50d

[WilsonFlyer]

strange that all the lens review sites rate the "crap kit lens" like the 18-55IS excellent in optical quality!
e.g.
www.photozone.de

or maybe it's not so strange.... could your opinion ... be wrong?

I believe my post clearly states that it's my OPINION. I'm relatively confident that by definition, my opinion can't be wrong. ;)

[WilsonFlyer]

newsflash:

the 18-55IS is the "kit lens" !!!

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/181-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-f35-56-is-test-report--review?start=2


or


http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/404-canon_1855_3556is_50d

Not sure what your point here is either. The lenses referenced in my thread have nothing to do with the kit lens aside from the fact that I acknowleged that I have that lens.

[bob100]

I believe my post clearly states that it's my OPINION. I'm relatively confident that by definition, my opinion can't be wrong. ;)

Not sure what your point here is either. The lenses referenced in my thread have nothing to do with the kit lens aside from the fact that I acknowleged that I have that lens.

I see you deleted your post. You say you've owned all the lens and think they are all crap. You believe the 18-55IS lens is bad despite the fact that all the review sites think it's very good.
OK..... :confused3

[jimim]

strange that all the lens review sites rate the "crap kit lens" like the 18-55IS excellent in optical quality!
e.g.
www.photozone.de

or maybe it's not so strange.... could your opinion ... be wrong?

I'm a big fan of kenrockell.com and he gave a good nod to the 18-135mm. I think his reviews are true to life use and I feel a good source for info re lens and such.

I think when I got kristen's lens it only added like 100 to the total price? What about now for price?



Jim

[WilsonFlyer]

I see you deleted your post. You say you've owned all the lens and think they are all crap. You believe the 18-55IS lens is bad despite the fact that all the review sites think it's very good.
OK..... :confused3

Man, what is your malfunction? I haven't deleted anything. If you don't care for my comments, please feel free to add me to your ignore list. I have just done so for you.

EDIT: My sincerest apologies for post #15. I just realized that the comment wasn't directed at my post but rather someone else's. I guess my misinterpretation contributed to my hostility. I am sorry.

[bob100]

I'm a big fan of kenrockell.com and he gave a good nod to the 18-135mm. I think his reviews are true to life use and I feel a good source for info re lens and such.


well shoot, that settles it. Despite other reviews Ken says it's OK. Maybe Ken can get his space alien buddies to go along with his "reviews" !
http://www.kenrockwell.com/analprobe/dissent.htm

[bob100]

Man, what is your malfunction? I haven't deleted anything. If you don't care for my comments, please feel free to add me to your ignore list. I have just done so for you.

EDIT: My sincerest apologies for post #15. I just realized that the comment wasn't directed at my post but rather someone else's. I guess my misinterpretation contributed to my hostility. I am sorry.


OK, so there is one other poster that may or may not like some or all the Canon kit lens.
It is getting confusing.

[jimim]

well shoot, that settles it. Despite other reviews Ken says it's OK. Maybe Ken can get his space alien buddies to go along with his "reviews" !
http://www.kenrockwell.com/analprobe/dissent.htm

All I said is that I liked his reviews. I respect his opinion, just like my statement was my opinion. That's all. I was just trying to give another source for reviews.

And where did u find the alien thing? I never ever came across that from reading his site in 2 years?

Jim

[bob100]

All I said is that I liked his reviews. I respect his opinion, just like my statement was my opinion. That's all. I was just trying to give another source for reviews.

And where did u find the alien thing? I never ever came across that from reading his site in 2 years?

Jim

Ken and his brother are huge space alien conspiracy fans!
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nm/aliens/index.htm
But perhaps you didn't realize the Ken Rockwell site is a parody website like www.theonion.com

I hope you didn't actually follow any of his "recommendations"!

[norybell]

I think I've now completely changed my mind and am leaning toward the 18-135mm. Though I guess I'll see how I feel when I actually try it out at B&H on Thursday. It is only $130 more than the 18-55mm, after all. And while it doesn't get spectacular reviews, it doesn't get awful ones, either, which is pretty much what I would expect for the price. For a brief moment I tried to convince myself that I could get the camera body and then the much nicer 17-85mm, but, um, no.

Was it the bickering that did it? I dunno. :rotfl:

[jimim]

Ken and his brother are huge space alien conspiracy fans!
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nm/aliens/index.htm
But perhaps you didn't realize the Ken Rockwell site is a parody website like www.theonion.com

I hope you didn't actually follow any of his "recommendations"!


Like I said I like to use his site for info. I enjoy reading about his trips. Don't really care he believes in aliens. Doesn't bother me and make me think his "opinion" is any less reliable. Just cause he believes in aliens means he doesn't know what he is talking about?

Anyway like I said before it's just a site I like. My opinion.

Jimi