Canon 18-200mm zoom lense

[jazzman1]

I'm new here.  I have a Canon T3i.  Two kit lenses came with it in a bundle...18-55mm, 55-250mm.  I am considering getting the Canon 18-200mm.  Would the Canon 18-200mm be a good choice to replace both lenses, or are there better choices to replace them with and keep the 18-200mm also?

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

I would not buy one for a few reasons.  One and formost, it is more difficult to make a zoom lens when the zoom range gets very extreme.  18 to 200 is a 11x range and very ambitious to say the least. Not solely in optics but in build quality, too. It will be in the same quality level as the two lenses you have so the only advantage is having just the one lens.  Is that what you require? The top benefit of a DSLR is the ability to have the right lens for the right job.  That usually involves several different lenses.  So you will be defeating that concept somewhat!

I would rather see you get a different level of lens for instance the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.  Directly replacing your 18-55mm kit lens. Of course this is in case what you have is not working for you. But this move is into a better built, better optics and a little faster lens all of which can be very useful.  Make no mistake the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is a very good lens and offers a constant aperture.  A super plus in my book.

Unfortunalely these lens upgrades are expensive and replacing the 55-250mm is going to be more so.

[jazzman1]

ebiggs forgot to say:

You asked before what kind of photography I like to do....landscape, wildlife (not birds) anywhere near water, and street photography.   I like to take pics of buildings, historic sites and such.  I like to capture people in my street pics and is why I like the long zoom lens.  Many people get irked if they know I'm taking their pic.  But it's almost impossible with alot of people on the street when taking pics, to not capture people.   When I'm at the park by the water there's always people around.  So I prefer to be at a distance so as not to upset people.   Also good for wildlife.  Most won't let me get close.  For now I just take pics for me, I'm not blowing any up or even making photo prints.   I evaluate my work constantly, looking for faults, and things and ways, to do better next time.  Everyday I go out and shoot, I evaluate my pics on my Pc when I get home.   I'm not using any editing sofware as of yet, and really want to do all my adjustments in camera if I can for now.  I don't want to artificially cover up flaws in my work, I want to try for the best pic straight from my camera.   Maybe later I will use editing sofware if needed, and I'm sure the time will come, when it would be.   I'm not doing any kind of work for pay, just my own enjoyment.  I do have servaral editing programs but they're just basic.  Of course I have Canon software that came with my cameras.

Take care my friend.

[jazzman1]

Fellas,

Just saw something with my camera T3i.  Looking in my settings I saw "Histogram"  .  It has 2 options   Brightness and RGB.  It was set by default to "brightness", I think that's the default setting I don't remember ever changing this setting.   What setting should I use, and what is this setting for???. 

[RobertTheFat]

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@jazzman1 wrote:

Fellas,

Just saw something with my camera T3i.  Looking in my settings I saw "Histogram"  .  It has 2 options   Brightness and RGB.  It was set by default to "brightness", I think that's the default setting I don't remember ever changing this setting.   What setting should I use, and what is this setting for???. 

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You're starting to jump ahead (which is good in its way). The histogram provides you information about the picture you just took; it's not a value that you can set. If the picture is too bright or too dim, or parts of it are seriously over- or underexposed, the histogram may help you figure out why. Then you can change the camera's settings and try again. There will come a time when you might find that information helpful and begin to act on it. But right now you're still learning what the various settings mean and what they do. So concentrate on that for now, and start reading about histograms when you're more comfortable with the camera.

The "Brightness" and "RGB" settings let you choose between two different histograms that provide information about the picture in two different ways.

[ebiggs1]

Yes, forget the histogram for now.  It is an indespensible tool in post editing.  And it can show where things have gone awray while shooting.

Forget most of what we've said until you are ready to forget about the green square on the mode dial.  And somewhat if you are not  ready to move off of the P.  You can do some adjusting with it.

As a side note as you may run into somebody with a brand-N camera. Their "modern" lenses still have the f-stops ring and the detents if they are the "D" version of the lens.  If they are the "G" version which stands for gelded, has no f-stop ring just like your Canon lens.

Enjoy the zoo!  

BTW, the little picrure icon right above this reply screen will allow you to u/l photos.  Look by the smiley face.  There is a size limit do you may get into post editing quicker than you thought!

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

As a side note as you may run into somebody with a brand-N camera. Their "modern" lenses still have the f-stops ring and the detents if they are the "D" version of the lens.  If they are the "G" version which stands for gelded, ...

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And "D" stands for "dorky", right? 

[ebiggs1]

Bob
Boston, Massachusetts USA

Ha, you may be right!  I will say that as a generalization, lens for lens, Canon lenses are better than Nikon lenses.  Of course there are stand outs in each line.  But as a general guideline, Canon owns the lens battle.

[jazzman1]

No offense to Bob but I think you're right ebiggs.  I favor Canon over all others on a general basis myself.  Since I've used Canon gear most of my life, I'm very comfortable with Canon's menu and process.  Only a small learning curve from any of their cameras and camcorders. Not as knowledgeable about Canon gear as you and Bob though.  Just know what I like.

[ebiggs1]

"Since I've used Canon gear most of my life, ..."

Well my situation is somewhat different.  I worked for a company that only used Nikon.  Over the years, I have used almost every manufacture made.  I still own two Nikon cameras and several Nikkor lenses.  Love them.

I tell it like it is, no puches held back, but I freely admit I tend to be Canon more than any other brand.  Some of that comes from feel.  They just feel better in your hand.  Some of it comes from how Canon designs their gears. Some comes from it is just better stuff.  Etc....

Everybody is different.  I have die hard Nikon friends and they do well.  Very well, indeed.  They are, Brand-N, very good cameras as a matter of fact the best camera made, today as of 3/23/2015, is the D4/D4s Nikons.  IMHO, they are let down somewhat by their lens lineup.  Also, IMHO, the best buy in a pro body is the EOS 1Dx along with the best lens line up in the world.

And, IMHO, no other company makes a pro level quality camera body.  Period, none!  None I would consider using professionally in a business.

A word about your video, I will be of no help and little help anyway but no help at all in video.  I am a stills shooter, always have been and always will.

[jazzman1]

Hey biggs, hope I can call you that.  1st off what's "IMHO"???  What is brand "N"???    You've mentioned letters before I did'nt know what they meant.    The EOS 1Dx I you mention I assume is a Canon.  Your comments are confusing about Canon/Nikon to me, sorry.  Not sure which you think best, nor what pro quality body you are referring to.  Can you clarify your statements!!!!

I suppose I favor canon gear because I've used them most of my life and am comfortable with Canon gear.  As you say, they seem to be designed just the way I like my gear, and I'm very comfortable with my gear.  They do irk me at times with design change, or not changing some designs...like putting "mini" hotshoe plates on their "prosumer" camcorders.  Standard hot shoe acc will not fit from brands other than Canon who make acc for them, with "mini hotshoes".  But they do make "standard" full size hot shoes plates, for their consumer gear....go figure?????    I had to get a mini hot shoe adapter to use standard size hot shoe acc.  And sometimes they lag behind other brands on updates and acc, and added features.  They seem to coast at times from their loft at the top, and will rely on riding on their name/rep.  Some of their design and features makes no sense nor rhrym or reason to me.  But, I guess as a consumer I still like their gear best overall.  You and Bob know more about it all from a professional/business point of view.  I wonder what Bob's opinion is on this.  Don't know what gear he favors. 

One reason my growth with my T3i has not been faster is I've been working alot with my camcorder.  I had been learning editing and working with my video's mostly until I came here.  I don't need much help with my camcorder.  My problem is with DSLR at the moment.

I have a few friends that favor Nikon, and many I know have Nikon point and shoot.  I don't have any issue with that, I think everyone should use what they like.  I think at times there's way too much discussion (other places not here) over which brand is best and we'd all be better served to just help folks get the best results with whatever the gear they choose.  I do read reviews and tests and use them as a guide, but my final choice will be what I like and feel is the best gear for me.  I think many reviews are biased.  I do like this site best now because everyone talks  mostly Canon gear.  That seems to be what most here have.

I know you teach photography now, but what field/position were you in before you retired?  Just wondering how you attained your knowledge of photography.

The group split up after we went in the zoo yesterday.  Everyone took off their own way.  I did'nt get the chance to talk much shop.  I did get alot of pics and video and really enjoyed the outing.

[RobertTheFat]

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@jazzman1 wrote:

Hey biggs, hope I can call you that.  1st off what's "IMHO"???  What is brand "N"???    You've mentioned letters before I did'nt know what they meant.    The EOS 1Dx I you mention I assume is a Canon.  Your comments are confusing about Canon/Nikon to me, sorry.  Not sure which you think best, nor what pro quality body you are referring to.  Can you clarify your statements!!!!

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I'm not Ernie Biggs, but I know the answers to your first two questions.

IMHO = "In My Humble Opinion"

"Brand N" is Nippoŋ Koŋaku ("Japan Optical"), often abbreviated as "Nikon".