topic Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing in EF & RF Lenses

Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

zgarrett — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:37:55 GMT

What is the difference between the 18-55mm option and 18-55mm + 55-250mm option? It seems like the second option would be more expensive because it has more zoom capabilities. Am I missing something, or is it a much better deal to buy the 18-55mm + 55-250mm option?

Here is the link to the listing:

[link removed per forum guidelines]

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:07:00 GMT

You answered it . The two lens option is $100 more but you get a telephoto zoom lens.

The 18-55mm lens in the single lens kit is an STM lens, which is a newer version of the lens. The two lens kit is not. STM is a good feature if you will be doing videoing; it is much quieter focusing so you won't get the focus motor noise in your videos.

The T5i is a very good camera body.

Since you are just starting out get the two lens kit so you can explore a wide range of photography - you can never have too much telephoto range if wou want to shoot wildlife.

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

TTMartin — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:46:21 GMT

@jrhoffman75 wrote:
You answered it . The two lens option is $100 more but you get a telephoto zoom lens.

The 18-55mm lens in the single lens kit is an STM lens, which is a newer version of the lens. The two lens kit is not. STM is a good feature if you will be doing videoing; it is much quieter focusing so you won't get the focus motor noise in your videos.

The T5i is a very good camera body.

Since you are just starting out get the two lens kit so you can explore a wide range of photography - you can never have too much telephoto range if wou want to shoot wildlife.

You want the STM lenses for more than just video. Canon really upped the image quality when the redesigned the lenses for the STM focus motor. Get the kit that has the STM lenses, regardless whether you do video or not.

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:06:52 GMT

The degree of improvement varies from lens to lens. Some are markedly better; others not so much.

[link removed per forum guidelines]

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

TTMartin — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:16:29 GMT

@jrhoffman75 wrote:

The degree of improvement varies from lens to lens. Some are markedly better; others not so much.

The EF-S 18-55 IS STM and EF-S 55-250 IS STM are two lenses where the STM version is much better, than the non-STM one.

The EF-S 18-55 IS STM is second in image quality to only the much more expensive EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS, and beats the well regarded EF-S 15-85 IS. And the EF-S 55-250 IS STM has image quality that rivals the EF 70-200 f/4L IS.

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

ebiggs1 — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:21:32 GMT

Two things, if it were me buying.

I would go with the better STM version, too. Even though you are only getting one lens it is much better in its IQ. The bottom line is the lens. The lens is where its at, not the camera much of the time.

Second, if this an Amazon package, I would avoid it like the plague. If it is the kit with tons of accessories, they are mostly junk and virtually worthless. A better option is a retailer like B&H Photo, Adorama, Roberts Camera, etc.

Plus a local source like Best Buy or even a local camera shop. It is good to get to handle it first and maybe get a few tips from a real live person!

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

RobertTheFat — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 15:41:17 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
Two things, if it were me buying.
I would go with the better STM version, too. Even though you are only getting one lens it is much better in its IQ. The bottom line is the lens. The lens is where its at, not the camera much of the time.

Second, if this an Amazon package, I would avoid it like the plague. If it is the kit with tons of accessories, they are mostly junk and virtually worthless. A better option is a retailer like B&H Photo, Adorama, Roberts Camera, etc.

Plus a local source like Best Buy or even a local camera shop. It is good to get to handle it first and maybe get a few tips from a real live person!

What's this, Ernie?? Are you suggesting that we're not real live people?

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

ebiggs1 — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 17:25:36 GMT

Bob from Bean Town,

"... we're not real live people?"

I actually have no idea for a certainty. And if not, that does explain a lot.

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 17:27:35 GMT

🤖😀

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

zgarrett — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 23:09:00 GMT

Oh, I'm sorry, I just read my question and realized that I was asking about the wrong options. I was wondering why it is cheaper to get the 18-55mm + 55-250mm II option over the 18-135mm option. Sorry about the confusion.

Here is the link again:

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Digital-18-135mm-Lens/dp/B00BW6LX20

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

TTMartin — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 00:12:13 GMT

@zgarrett wrote:
Oh, I'm sorry, I just read my question and realized that I was asking about the wrong options. I was wondering why it is cheaper to get the 18-55mm + 55-250mm II option over the 18-135mm option. Sorry about the confusion.

Here is the link again:
https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Digital-18-135mm-Lens/dp/B00BW6LX20

Go with the 18-135 IS STM.

Then consider getting the 55-250 IS STM refurbished from Canon.

The getting the STM lens is worth the extra money.

I don't think the 18-55mm II + 55-250mm II is an official Canon, bundle, but a third party putting together their own 'bundle', with inferior lenses.

The kit with the 18-135 IS STM is sold by Amazon which is an authorized Canon dealer.

The kit with the 18-55mm II + 55-250mm II is sold by 'Wholesale Photo'

The Genuine Canon kits contain STM lenses. The one for $649 with the 18-55 lens sold by Amazon is the 18-55 STM lens.

I personally would not buy the seller 'kit' from 'Wholesale Photo'.

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

zgarrett — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 03:31:18 GMT

Thanks a lot!

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

jrhoffman75 — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 09:59:03 GMT

Canon eStore hs the T5i with both of those lenses in STM version for $900.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/rebel-t5i-18-55mm-is-stm-ef-s-55-250mm-is-stm-kit-refurbished

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

ebiggs1 — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:41:52 GMT

"Canon eStore hs the T5i ..."

That is better than Amazon package deals, IMHO, of course.

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

TTMartin — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:45:53 GMT

@jrhoffman75 wrote:
Canon eStore hs the T5i with both of those lenses in STM version for $900.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/rebel-t5i-18-55mm-is-stm-ef-s-55-250mm-is-stm-kit-refurbished

There is actually a sale that saves even more if you buy the 55-250 STM seperately.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-rebel-t6i-ef-s-18-55mm-f-35-56-is-stm-kit-refurbished

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-rebel-t6s-ef-s-18-135mm-f-35-56-is-stm-kit-refurbished

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-s-55-250mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-telephoto-zoom-lens-refurbished

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

Waddizzle — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 13:07:49 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Canon eStore hs the T5i ..."

That is better than Amazon package deals, IMHO, of course.

I would never buy anything more costly than a paperback novel through Amazon. The Canon eStore Refurbished gear is better than new gear, if you ask me. The gear is hand tested and inspected, repaired as needed, and thoroughly cleaned up. The only difference between the refurbished gear and new stuff seems to be the box that it comes in.

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

TTMartin — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 20:05:54 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Canon eStore hs the T5i ..."

That is better than Amazon package deals, IMHO, of course.
I would never buy anything more costly than a paperback novel through Amazon. The Canon eStore Refurbished gear is better than new gear, if you ask me. The gear is hand tested and inspected, repaired as needed, and thoroughly cleaned up. The only difference between the refurbished gear and new stuff seems to be the box that it comes in.

To each their own, I have never had an issue with items sold and shipped by Amazon, or any item shipped by Amazon as they control the return process. The only time I have ever had an issue with buying through Amazon, is with an item sold and SHIPPED by a 3rd party seller. And even then filling a claim with Amazon's A-Z Guarantee motivated the seller to cooperate.

I do agree with Canon refurbished products being a great deal, and have purchased a number of cameras and lenses that way.

Re: Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

ebiggs1 — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 20:10:27 GMT

"That is better than Amazon package deals, IMHO, of course."

Well you can certainly do as you like but all that stuff in those Amazon packages is junk. But I won't stop you. Nope go right ahead. Have at it.