Switching lens: Welcome any advice from UHH users. I have recently purchased a Canon Rebel T3i with a 18-55mm lens kit and purchased separately a 55-250 Zoom Lens. To avoid having to...

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

Welcome any advice from UHH users.
I have recently purchased a Canon Rebel T3i with a 18-55mm lens kit and purchased separately a 55-250 Zoom Lens.
To avoid having to switch lenses too often I am thinking of purchasing an 18-135mm Zoom lens. My question is: If I do purchase the 18-135 lens can I abandon the 18-55 lens and sell to offset the cost of the 18-135 lens.

kmohr3 Loc: Rockford, IL

Yes.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

Rathyatra wrote:

Welcome any advice from UHH users.
I have recently purchased a Canon Rebel T3i with a 18-55mm lens kit and purchased separately a 55-250 Zoom Lens.
To avoid having to switch lenses too often I am thinking of purchasing an 18-135mm Zoom lens. My question is: If I do purchase the 18-135 lens can I abandon the 18-55 lens and sell to offset the cost of the 18-135 lens.

Of course. many people are doing just that as there are many of those lenses being sold on craigslist and ebay. The question you should be asking is will the changing of the lens improve my pictures? The answer to that is NO. You are merely adding focal length for convenience and not the sharpness, contrast or color resolving abilities of the lens. Before you run out and buy the new lens you should try a better lens on your camera to learn how improving the lens quality improves your photos. Buy the nifty-fifty 50mm f1.8 Canon and try it first. If you buy from a place like Amazon you will have a 30day return window to try it out.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6_is_ii
vs.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_18_135mm_f_3_5_5_6_is

and this http://goo.gl/UT0oY might help

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

Thanks - those links were really helpful - on reflection I have come to the opinion that I need to learn more about taking good photographs and get more use out of my existing lenses before I spend any more money. I have just received the Bryan Peterson book on Understanding Exposure and hope I can learn from this.

But thanks for the input - really appreciated.

SENSORLOUPE

Rathyatra wrote:

Thanks - those links were really helpful - on reflection I have come to the opinion that I need to learn more about taking good photographs and get more use out of my existing lenses before I spend any more money. I have just received the Bryan Peterson book on Understanding Exposure and hope I can learn from this.

But thanks for the input - really appreciated.

Bryan is giving a seminar in Rockford in Sept.
I love his books and videos on Adorama.com

twowindsbear

Rathyatra wrote:

Welcome any advice from UHH users.
I have recently purchased a Canon Rebel T3i with a 18-55mm lens kit and purchased separately a 55-250 Zoom Lens.
To avoid having to switch lenses too often I am thinking of purchasing an 18-135mm Zoom lens. My question is: If I do purchase the 18-135 lens can I abandon the 18-55 lens and sell to offset the cost of the 18-135 lens.

You seem to be opposed to switching lenses. Am I correct in this conclusion? If I am - why are you opposed.

Thanks

deej

Rathyatra wrote:

Welcome any advice from UHH users.
I have recently purchased a Canon Rebel T3i with a 18-55mm lens kit and purchased separately a 55-250 Zoom Lens.
To avoid having to switch lenses too often I am thinking of purchasing an 18-135mm Zoom lens. My question is: If I do purchase the 18-135 lens can I abandon the 18-55 lens and sell to offset the cost of the 18-135 lens.

Another suggestion after you learn is to try renting a lens in your desired focal length, then you can compare the overall weight and usability before purchase. Quite a few members seem to like the Sigma 50-500 (I think that's right) which would give you the ultimate fit all lens.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

I did exactly what you are asking about. I am very happy with the 18-135 lens and have no use for the 18-55 any more. However, you will not get a whole lot for the old lens. This lens is a great walk around lens for me. I will get 50mm 1.4 next, but this lens gives me versatility. The 50 prime will be used mostly for portraits.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Rathyatra wrote:

To avoid having to switch lenses too often I am thinking of purchasing an 18-135mm Zoom lens. My question is: If I do purchase the 18-135 lens can I abandon the 18-55 lens and sell to offset the cost of the 18-135 lens.

Sure - you can sell the 18-55 (keep the box it came in!!) but may not get all that much for it. Even so - it will help offset the other purchases.
You MAY even consider keeping it - as it may have better IQ for those shots where you know in advance that it will work.
For a general walk-around lens where you NEVER know what you may need on your camera - and to have is to change the lens may mean you miss the shot - I recommend consideration of one of the lenses at the links below. Yes - I do have a few specialty lenses that I use when the shots I'm planning are well defined ahead of time but I find the convenience of a superzoom (Canon 18-200) is hard to beat. When I go on a trip - I take just the 18-200 and my Tokina 12-24 f/4.
-
Here are my favored links comparing superzooms for the Canon:
After looking at them, I chose the Canon for it's IQ, but MANY love the Tammy for it's value!
http://www.juzaphoto.com/article.php?l=en&article=35
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=683&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=2&LensComp=111&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=3
Good Luck !!

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

I have always used a bridge camera and not used to having to switch lenses for different shots. I accept that switching Canon lenses is pretty straightforward and I still have a lot to learn in using my first DSLR.
I have always just made a pretty quick judgement on what I believed was a potentially good composition and then shot - I am not the most patient photographer and could not, yet, contemplate sitting for hours to wait for the right shot. Maybe my patience will improve with practice.
Another concern I have with switching lenses is whether it increases the possibility of dirt and dust getting into the camera.

Thanks for your comments and welcome any other feedback.

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

Thanks for your helpful comments and advice - it is much appreciated - I will follow up on those links.

Richard C. DeYoung

I have a Tamron 18-270 lens on my 40D that is very good. Never change unless I need to shoot portraits. Then its back to the Canon 50mm 1.8.

CanonJohnR Loc: Aurora, OH

I have just retired my 35mm equipment ( Canon IV, 28mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 55mm f 1.8 & 85mm f1.5) from 1957 to now I have only used prime lens and have never wanted a zoom. In June I moved to a Canon 50D and Tamron 28-200mm f3.8-5.6 and am learning and adjusting. I have always considered the prime lens images more sharp with more color saturation. I still feel this way and this zoom I'm now using will have to make a believer out of me. Went to a street carnival tonight, after dark, and found I was not ready yet....getting to know the Canon and the lens. I still prefer a prime lens. Just step forward a couple of steps; or back up.