Canon EOS 550D: should I buy the 18-135mm kit lens or start with the 18-55mm and add a telephoto later?
Asked 5/15/2012
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I’m buying my first DSLR, a Canon EOS 550D, and I’m choosing between two kit options: one with an 18-135mm lens, or a cheaper one with the 18-55mm kit lens. I like shooting people, street, nature, indoor scenes, wildlife, and night landscapes. If I buy the 18-55mm kit, I may add a telephoto zoom later. Which option is the better starting point?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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This is probably quite subjective, but I have an 18-55mm on an EOS 600D, as it is basically the kit lense. I also have a 55-250mm, and find that I use that for 90% of the time. I too go for wildlife, candid people, and street, and it works very well for that.It is, in effect, my standard lense.
The 18-55mm only comes into play in special circumstances, such a very low light or indoors. Though I don't use it often, I would not want to be without it - I don't want to give that impression.
Originally by user9770. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user9770
14y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For a first DSLR, the 18-135mm is the more practical single-lens choice if you want to shoot a wide variety of subjects right away. It covers wide to telephoto in one lens, so it’s a convenient all-around starter for people, street, nature, and general travel use.
If you choose the 18-55mm kit instead, plan on adding a telephoto later—especially for wildlife. Several photographers find they use their telephoto zoom most of the time for candid people, street, and wildlife, while keeping the shorter lens for indoor or tighter spaces.
So the tradeoff is:
- 18-135mm: more versatile now, fewer lens changes, good for learning what focal lengths you actually use.
- 18-55mm + later telephoto: better if your goal is to build a stronger two-lens kit over time, especially if you expect to shoot a lot at longer focal lengths.
A sensible approach is: if your budget is tight, get the 18-55mm and save for a better telephoto. If you want one lens to handle almost everything at the start, get the 18-135mm.
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AI14y ago
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