Purchase 55-250mm lens in addition to bundled 18-135 lens kit?

[350brandon]

Hi, my point and shoot just aint doing it anymore. I'm looking to mainly do video on my dslr. But I also love taking macro photos (irrevelent b/c none of these lens are macro). With that said I'm getting the t4i. I tried the t4i with the regular 18-55 lens and I had to return it. I just wanted a little more zoom and definately the smooth autofocus. So the 18-135 STM lens is a must. 

My question is should I get the 55-250 lens too? It's only about $80 (after the $150 discount) on Amazon. I do plan on using the 55-250 if it will give me better zoom. I would definately use it to capture subjects such as birds, anamials, etc. However, I hear the main diffrence between the 18-135 and 55-250, is that the 55-250 is slightly sharper and only slighly better in terms of zoom. If this is the case I don't think I would get the 55-250. Also, if the 55-250 price was was $200 or above, I would not get it either. So my delimema is more of should I get it because I think I'm getting a deal. But, I will definaely use and enjoy it if I get it.  Opinions? 

[Skirball]

For $80?  Absolutely.  Welcome to SLR, things won't be that cheap again!  I've got filters that cost more than that.

The 55-250 isn't terrific, but it's better quality than the 18-55 IMHO.  I actually still use mine (on my 400D) as I upgraded a bunch of ultra-wide, wide, macro, and prime lenses and never pulled the trigger on the 70-200.  It's slow, it won't win any sharpness awards, but it's infinately better than nothing.  At $80 it's kind of a no brainer.

Edit:  the main difference between the 18-135 and the 55-250 is the focal length.  I can't comment on the IQ, never been much a test charts kinda guy, but I'd suspect in the real world that performace will be along the same lines.  But 250 is significant reach over 135.

[cicopo]

I'd pay that too, and later if you decide you don't like it sell it at the going rate locally. In my area it's about double what you'll be paying & more. This is the cheapest of the 3 currently listed for sale here.

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-cameras-camcorders-Canon-Zoom-Lens-EFS-55-250-1-4-5-6-is-W0QQ...