Exploring 18-55mm lens options for EOS 2000D

[kohramach]

Hey guys,

I'd like to buy Canon EOS 2000D for my friend as her first DSLR. She loves photography, uses analog mostly.I am having a trouble picking lenses for her. Budget is $600.She usually makes photos of people, landscapes, nature.

Here are offers I found:

1. Canon EOS 2000D + EF-S 18-55 mm III - $340

2. Canon EOS 2000D + EF-S 18-55 mm + bag SB130 + memory card 16GB - $490

3. Canon EOS 2000D + EF-S 18-55mm IS II + bag SB130 + memory card 16GB

Are these lenses same? I was thinking getting offer 1. and buy her additional lens. But what additional lense to get? What do you think about it?I would highly appreciate your insights. I have no clue about it all, thank you in advance.

[stevet1]

kohramach,

The 2000D is older technology.

For a price that is close to the same, you can get a used T7i, which is a much better camera, 

I think.

Since she is just getting started, maybe you can get her a mirrorless camera, so that she can grow into that world as time goes on.

For that price, you can get her an R100, which is a much better camera still.

Steve Thomas

[jrhoffman75]

Lenses 1 & 3 are different. Lens 2 could be different or could just not have the full name provided.

I agree with Steve about mirrorless.

See this at your budget point: Refurbished EOS R50 RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit (canon.com)

[ebiggs1]

Here is a third recommendation that you go towards a mirrorless camera. All the growth in the future will be mirrorless. DSLR is a dead end. Even if you have to stretch the budget a bit now it will be a savings later.

The equivalent lens in the RF (mirrorless) series is the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens and is around $300 bucks retail. The R100 with that lens in a kit deal is less than $600 retail.

As a further note don't be tempted to buy any of the camera packages full of accessories for sale on Amazon and other places. Buy just the camera and lens from an authorized Canon USA retailer. Those camera packages are total junk.

[Tronhard]

In these cases, where a very generous person who is not the photographer in question, is looking to fund camera gear for someone else, I strongly recommend bringing the recipient into the conversation.  They will appreciate your generosity, and thoughtfulness in doing so.  Camera gear is a rather personal thing and there are a lot of choices. 

You can make the process of getting the camera something you can share together, making it even more of a bonding exercise than simply opening the gift, and she will be delighted that you are interested to work with her.    The worst that could happen is that she is disappointed because it isn't what she really wants, but is in a quandary because she cannot say so for fear of causing upset or, if she does not do so, will nevertheless be disappointed.

Like the others, if she is starting her journey with a digital camera, then I personally recommend going for an R-series Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera (MILC).  This is the range that is now being developed, while DSLRs like the 2000D are pretty much at the end of their tether.

My respected colleague Ernie makes a very good point - don't go for the kits on line with lots of add-on's - they are often of poor quality and may contain items she won't really need.  Better to invest in the basics that are necessary, and get good, high-quality components like Lexar or SanDisk memory cards from a respected camera retailer.   If you do go shopping for memory cards, get only full-size ones: cameras don't play well with micro-SD cards.

[rs-eos]

Agree with the others.  Go for Canon's R-series cameras.  Though, as Trevor mentioned, it may be better to look at gifting a gift card instead.  e.g. at B&H Photo or Adorama to name just two of Canon's authorized resellers where you can purchase gift cards.

And, absolutely agree to avoid those "super bundles" on Amazon.

[shadowsports]

My vote is for the R50 kit that John recommended. 

Its worth the extra expense and bests the R100 almost everywhere (side by side)

Canon R100 vs Canon R50 Detailed Comparison (cameradecision.com)

[normadel]

If an EF-S18-55 "kit" lens is in your plans, definitely get one of the two most recent versions, the STMs.

Any of the previous models do not allow "Full-time Manual Focus", which is where you can leave the lens set on AF, and manually focus while holding the shutter button halfway-down. 

Also, the STM versions have internal focusing mechanisms, so the front ends do not rotate when focusing. This is really handy when using a polarizer. Also preferable if using a macro flash that hangs on the front of the lens. 

I just traded (at MPB.com) two pre-STM variants for STM for these reasons.

[Waddizzle]

“ Here are offers I found:

1. Canon EOS 2000D + EF-S 18-55 mm III - $340

2. Canon EOS 2000D + EF-S 18-55 mm + bag SB130 + memory card 16GB - $490

3. Canon EOS 2000D + EF-S 18-55mm IS II + bag SB130 + memory card 16GB “

The 2000D is a DSLR, which are quickly becoming obsolete because the lens market is quickly drying up.  Canon has already discontinued almost their entire DSLR lens lineup.  Follow the advice being given by the others about R series MILC bodies.

I would also recommend the R50 lens kit.  Make sure that you buy your camera gear and any accessories from an authorized Canon dealer.

[justadude]

I have to agree with John about the Refurbished EOS R50 with the 18-45 lens.  It is in your budget range.

Do not let the "refurbished" scare you away.  Canon has their own techs go over these cameras 100% and they are just as good as new (and probably inspected better than new).  These are not used cameras.  They may have been display models on a sales floor, or overstock items returned to Canon.  

I recently bought a Canon EOS R8 refurbished.  It was listed as not available, but within two days they had more.  It may not always go so quickly to restock, but with the savings, it's worth the wait.  If you do go with the R50, ask your friend if she wants white or black.  This camera model comes in both colors.

Like others have said, the 2000D is old technology.  The R50 is new.  There will be a huge difference in image quality.