topic Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3 in EF & RF Lenses

Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 08:17:02 GMT

Hi all. I've been reading reviews on this lens, but read one that said the lens' resolution wasn't good enough for cameras over 12mp. Is this true? My cam's a 600D which is 18mp.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

jfo — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:29:02 GMT

no, its not true.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:36:56 GMT

Thanks. Have you used this lens? If so, on which camera? So far positive customer reviews seem to be from a few years ago, and on lower MP cameras like the 40D.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

jfo — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:45:06 GMT

I haven't, but it was the kit lens of a friend's 50D, and the images weren't bad for what they were (e.g. this being a budget lens).

Are you after this specific lens for the focal length?

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:52:36 GMT

Yes, focal length, plus its general purpose versatility. I'm not a pro or anything, and this is my first DSLR which came with the 18-55 kit lens. So I'm looking for a budget lens I can just keep on the cam and use for anything. The Sigma and Tameron options are open too. The simple solution is to get the EF-S 55-250, but of course that means carrying two lenses.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

jfo — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:54:51 GMT

@davidblacker wrote:
...a budget lens I can just keep on the cam and use for anything.

What kinds of "anything" are you anticipating might come up? As the saying goes "jack of all trades, master of none"... and a very general purpose lens like the 18-200mm doesn't have as great image quality (IQ) as other lenses that are a bit more specialized.

Which camera/body did you get? and which 18-55mm? (the latest is actually a very good starter lens).

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:05:23 GMT

Well, anything from street scenes to cars to occasional action shots to landscapes. Yes, I understand that the 18-200 won't be top class at everything, but as I said, I can't afford to buy too many specialist lenses, nor to carry 'em everywhere.

The camera is the EOS 600D/Rebel T3i, and the kit lens is the EF-S 18-55 IS II. I've tried it out on portraits, shooting big raw images, and am quite pleased (no expert of course). But I'd like to be able to shoot things further away, but handheld.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

jfo — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:11:31 GMT

"action scenes" as in sports? indoors? or outdoors with plenty of light?

Going from the 18-55mm to the 18-200mm will be a step down in quality at comparable focal lengths, and unless you're getting the 18-200mm for really cheap, I think the 55-250mm might be a better choice even if it means its second lens. Amazon does promotions often where they discount the 55-250mm heavily with camera purchase, so the second-hand market might have some great prices.

Also, as you mentioned, there are non-Canon "superzooms" to consider. At the beginner/non-professional level, they can be a good value too.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:19:10 GMT

Well, yes beach sports, some wildlife. So yes, plenty of light. I live in the tropics so that's not an issue.

Yes, I've been leaning towards the 55-250 too, but thought I'd check around as I've heard a lot of people saying that the 18-200 was the perfect go anywhere do anything all in one lens on a budget.

Thanks for the advice.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

cicopo — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:02:25 GMT

I haven't owned the Canon 18-200 but I have owned both the Sigma 18-200 & the 18-200 OS (same as IS in Canon lingo) plus the Tamron 18-270 VC (same as IS) and I got very good images from them, and my daughter still gets excellent images from the Sigma 18-200 NON IS style lens. The range they cover in a single multi purpose lens is great, but they are a compromise between versatility & absolute Image Quality (IQ) and some demand IQ over anything, even when they themselves don't benefit from it. Unless you intend to print LARGE, or view the files on screen after heavily cropping them a superzoom will do quite well. There are instances when you'll notice it's flaws, but in general they will be far fewer than most suggest. You'll have many more opportunities with a 18-200 and generally speaking when using it hand held the IQ will depend on your skills (high enough shutter speed, rock solid stance etc) to get the most from it.

People are all about the IQ a lens can deliver but they seem to forget that more often than not it can't deliver that extra bit of IQ unless everything that influences the photo was done perfectly. Hand holding & slower shutter speeds almost always cancels out any differences between a perfect lens & a very good lens in real world use. IF you get serious about photography as a hobby & decide you need to get better gear as your technique improves you may see the need for better lenses which deliver higher IQ when used correctly (usually on a tripod or monopod) then you can start analyzing the pro's & con's re cost / quality.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 04:17:03 GMT

Thanks. Those are good points to keep in mind.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

cicopo — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 04:42:29 GMT

Without knowing your skill set in whatever field of photography you're interested in or whether you shoot in the old school modes (TV, Av, M or Bulb) I'll provide a link to an album shot with a 7D (18 mpixels) & the original version of the Tamron 18-270 VC. I've read that the current version is both sharper & has a better AF system. You need to know that the camera / lens were all I had with me, and I didn't know there was going to be an air show before checking into my hotel, even though I belong to 4 busy forums relating to Cozumel. More importantly you need to know that good aviation photos have prop blur, to show that the plane is actually flying, so slow shutter speeds are mandatory vs what most would use who aren't into aviation. Flight shots are at 1/320 for the prop planes & under 1/100 for the heli, so the LENS can do better because my panning skills come into play. On the plus side (for me) I shoot Radio Control events all summer long, but with pro caliber gear that I'm more familiar with when shooting action. The in hangar shots are ISO 3200 without flash because I only had the built in flash. I'm not suggesting that the Tamron is better than Canon's 18-200, & can't because I haven't shot it, but I am suggesting that knowing your equipment & having a good skill set is the key to getting good results.

https://picasaweb.google.com/TCPRCphotos/AirShowCozumel2012

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:21:42 GMT

Thanks. Great pix.

I'm strictly an amateur and this is my first DSLR. My last camera was a little point-n-shoot! But I like photography, and am good at composition. Basically, I'm trying to juggle price, IQ, and versatility in as few lenses as possible. So far I've just shot some close up portraits with the 600D using the 18-55mm IS kit lens. I would like to extend my focal range, and trying to decide between having one all-purpose like the 18-200, or pairing the 55-250 with the kit lens.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

John — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 05:24:22 GMT

@davidblacker wrote:
Thanks. Great pix.

I'm strictly an amateur and this is my first DSLR. My last camera was a little point-n-shoot! But I like photography, and am good at composition. Basically, I'm trying to juggle price, IQ, and versatility in as few lenses as possible. So far I've just shot some close up portraits with the 600D using the 18-55mm IS kit lens. I would like to extend my focal range, and trying to decide between having one all-purpose like the 18-200, or pairing the 55-250 with the kit lens.

My short answer is get the 18-200mm. I got it from Adorama as a Canon Refurbished for $400.

My longer answer is I also have the 60D, the 18-55mm and 55-250mm. The 55-250mm was my second lens for my old body. Since I was still getting my feet wet, the price was perfect - I see it on sale for $150 new here and there. I used those two lenses on my XS for a long time. After upgrading both of them, on vacations I found myself switching lenses a lot. It's a small price for getting the photos I wanted. But other than the money cost, there was a the exponentially increasing cost of my woman's patience. Enter the 18-200mm. No swapping lenses, more room in the backpack, you zoom, take your shot, then continue strolling 🙂

There are times when I really missed not having the wider aperature, the longer focal length, and during post-processing, I know I could have gotten more had I brought my other lenses. But for times when you're travelling for the travel and not the photo, the 18-200mm fits nicely.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 05:34:55 GMT

Thanks. The 55-250 is about $200 and the 18-200 is about $450, both new where I am, and right now I might have to go for the 55-250 'cos money's fairly tight. But yes, I agree that the 18-200 seems more practical.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

davidblacker — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:48:01 GMT

Guys, after much deliberation, I bought the 18-200 today. Thanks for all the advice.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

timberland — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 02:06:58 GMT

I own the Canon 18-200...its a great walk around lens. I purchesed it when I had my T1i and now shoot with it on my 7D. Is it a L ???, no. The intent was never for it to be.

If we could post photos here it would be nice....... I then could show you what I have captured...waterfalls, stream sides, black bears and drag race cars.

Re: Resolution problem on EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS*3

cicopo — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 03:09:19 GMT

You can add photos directly from your computer. Just click on the "insert image" icon above the text box, it's the second icon on the right of the "smiley face"