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.

[ebiggs1]

The better way is to reduce the size to the limits on this site and u/l them here.  That way you will get way more opinions, critique and suggestions.  They very charm of and reason for a forum.

Actually I am trying to push you to get that post editor (PSE) and start to learn how to use it.  Cropping and size reduction are basic concepts to do.

I am going to throw out another suggestion.  It is Lightroom.  LR is not as robust post editor as PSE but very capable at what it does do.  It is more of a data base so you can catalog your photos.  PSE does this, too, but LR is the professional version.  It is the basice editor I use. It is the editor 99.5%, if not 99.9%, of all professional photogrphers and studios use.

I and many others here will be able to assist you better with LR than PSE.

Once it is set up almost everything is automatic.  It will require very limited input from you.  You will never notice RAW conversion. It adds your water mark automatically, something you should consider soon.  It just doesn't have the extreme editing that PS or PSE has.  Like changing a background or changing a person's hair color or eye color, etc.

Check out Lightroom.

[jazzman1]

Ok, I will check on it.  I've seen it where I saw PSE sold.  Can't promise how soon I will get either.  I will see what I can do with the canon software first.  Hopefully they will do till I get LR or PSE.  I'll try to upload a few pics here on the site.  My pics are the largest that can be set in jpeg (+L). in mt camera.    I'm thinking of using a smaller size like M maybe.  Smaller size holds more pics but my card size was never a problem.  I use 16GB SanDisk Extreme and Extreme plus.   I just did'nt like the smaller size to review on my Pc, I like the pics to fill my whole Pc screen..  I've read somewhere that the cards I use might be overkill with my camera.   Far as others giving me help with my pics, I have'nt seen but a few others come to this post, other than you and Bob.   But I suppose guys do look in from time to time.

You say you use lightroom?   Why would you use that since you said you have the full Adobe Photoshop software?   Do you need both????

[ebiggs1]

"Do you need both????"

Yes    

You don't need both.

[jazzman1]

Man.  This stuff gets more complicated by the day...not to mention expensive.  And those last lens purchases just blew my budget for this month.  Remember I got 2 lens and the new 60D.  And I  will replace those funds in the bank first, before I make another purchase.  That's why I told you it must be nice to do what you're doing.  It's real nice.  One day I may find myself in your shoes, but today is really not that day LOL.

Note:  I did manage to sell those lens and my Rebel.  That re-coops some of the cost of my purchases.  I kept my EF-S 75-300mm  f/4-5.6 .....just to have a ittle more range till I can replace it with a better L lens.  Actually the pics I take with it aren't all that bad.  I know the pics I take with it would'nt hold up to you guys close examination.  But to the untrained eye, they'll do. 

[jazzman1]

Where would I look for that icon that looks like a moon in a mountain???  In my settings???   I'm still trying to get the hang of all the different features for this site.  like rich text, HTML, preview.  Changing colors of type, etc.  Good as I am with Pc's, I'm lousey when it comes to email use.  I never even used office, never had the need.

[RobertTheFat]

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@jazzman1 wrote:

Where would I look for that icon that looks like a moon in a mountain???  In my settings???   I'm still trying to get the hang of all the different features for this site.  like rich text, HTML, preview.  Changing colors of type, etc.  Good as I am with Pc's, I'm lousey when it comes to email use.  I never even used office, never had the need.

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After you hit "Reply", it's two icons to the right of the smiley face. At least in the Internet Explorer presentation.

[jazzman1]

Hey Bob thanks.  I guess you're always not far away huh??? LOL.   You must keep an eye out here to assist when you can.  That's a comforting thought Bob.  It's like an old saying told to me long long ago about mentorship.   "When the pupil is ready, the teaher will appear" (grin)

I just tried to upload a pic and it's too large for this site.  I set my camera to +L for photo size when taking my pics.  I will reset to a smaller size for next set of pics I take.  I could set it for S, that's good for email.  But pics quality are not as good at that size are they???   Small size means less pixles.

[ebiggs1]

This is DPP, Digital Professional Pro.  It came with your camera.  It can set the size and file type for you.  Have you installed it or even looked at it?  It is free from Canon if you need to d/l it.

[jazzman1]

I have it installed, have not used it yet.  I have scanned ove some of the features.  But no, I've never used it.  I'll check into it when I return this eve.  Getting ready to shower and get out for a few hrs.  Getting out everyday Photo taking is good excersize for me.  I'm going to be riding my bike soon also. 

[jazzman1]

The funny thing about all this is, I also have serveral video processing programs and yes...I do edit my video's, convert files, add titles, add sound, etc.   Now I have to learn to do my pics, LOL.