Help With Buying Camera - Amazon Listing

[zgarrett]

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]

[jrhoffman75 · Accepted solution]

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The 18-55mm lens in the single lens kit is an STM lens, which is a newer version of the lens.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.

[TTMartin]

---

@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The 18-55mm lens in the single lens kit is an STM lens, which is a newer version of the lens.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.

[jrhoffman75]

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

[link removed per forum guidelines]

[TTMartin]

---

@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.

[ebiggs1]

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!

[RobertTheFat]

---

@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?  

[ebiggs1]

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.

[jrhoffman75]

🤖😀

[zgarrett]

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