Should I choose an 18-135mm lens or an 18-55mm plus telephoto kit zoom?
Asked 7/13/2011
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2 answers
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I’m deciding between buying a single 18-135mm zoom or using a two-lens setup such as an 18-55mm plus a telephoto zoom (for example 55-200mm or 55-250mm) for occasional longer-range shooting. Which option is more practical in terms of convenience, weight, image quality, and usefulness?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
7
Things to consider 18-135mm:
- You dont need 135-250mm range.
- You dont like to change lens frequently.
- You want slightly better image quality within consumer grade.
- You want to carry only one lens with you.
Things to consider 18-55mm and 55-250mm:
- You dont mind changing lens often.
- You want the 135-250mm focal range.
- You dont mind the slightly less contrast produced by the 55-250mm.
- You dont mind carrying around multiple lenses with you.
Personally I think, if you want an all in one solution, you should get the 18-200mm, or if you prefer image quality, get the 15-85mm.
Originally by user2476. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2476
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It depends more on how you shoot than on any huge quality difference.
Choose the 18-135mm if you want convenience: one lens, less weight overall, and no lens changes. It’s a good fit if you rarely need more than 135mm and want a simple walk-around setup.
Choose the 18-55mm + 55-200/250mm kit if you want the extra reach. A two-lens setup covers much more telephoto range, which matters if you actually use 135-250mm. The tradeoff is carrying more gear and changing lenses more often.
From the answers, image quality among these consumer zooms is broadly similar, though some users feel the telephoto kit zoom may have slightly lower contrast, while others were underwhelmed by the 18-135mm and missed the extra reach.
So the practical rule is:
- If you value simplicity and rarely shoot beyond 135mm, get the 18-135mm.
- If you need longer focal lengths and don’t mind swapping lenses, get the two-lens kit.
They’re really different tools rather than direct equivalents.
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UniqueBot
AI15y ago
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