DSLR Lens Kits: 18-200mm v 18-70mm and 75-300mm

SakisP

My wife fancies herself as a budding photographer, wanting to go to a course and, of course, needing a good SLR camera!

The Sony DSLR-A100 seems like the final choice, but the lens kits are the only sticking issue.. The main rivals are:

- One all-round lens: 18-200mm
- Two separate lenses for closeups and longshots: 18-70mm and 75-300mm

The first option doesn't involve the tedious lens change (and possible dust issues) of the second, which may, however, provide better quality.

Basically, is there any serious reason for which the one-lens option would not be recommended? She does lean towards that one, but she wants all doubts away first

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

melekalikimaka

the longer the focal range, the greater the distortion, smaller is better but when starting out i guess its not OVERLY relevent, but she may feel the difference over time when she gets into it more, if price isnt huge, the two lens option would be a safer bet IMO

5uspect

If you don't want to change lenses then why bother with a SLR at all?
If so you should consider a "prosumer" camera with a decent dedicated lens.
If you want to go the SLR route you should really consider looking at different lenses to get the most out of it. Big zooms like a 18-200mm are a compromise that will result in chromatic aberrations (colour fringes) and softness at the extremes of their ranges.

I'd say you're better off going with the two lens option, The pictures your wife (and probably yourself too!) will be better and you won't feel so disappointed by being let down by a compromise lens.

Also as regards the Sony, the range of lenses and accessories aren't as good as the big boys Nikon or Canon. Maybe the body is cheaper but the lenses are the most important part in the end and both Canon and Nikon have the best range.

SakisP

You made my wife change her mind... and that's not the first (better be the last!) time that's happened on the subject Honesty is the best policy I suppose!

I advised her to go with Nikon, so the D80 is the new target (to all Canon fans: sorry, but we have a Canon printer already so we'd like to give the other guys a spin as well)

The only thing now is whether the 18-70mm lens is enough to start with or the longer ones (up to 125-135mm) are good enough too.

BTW our current camera is the Sony DSC-N1. No, not showing off here, just genuinely FYI.

5uspect

SakisP wrote:

You made my wife change her mind... and that's not the first (better be the last!) time that's happened on the subject Honesty is the best policy I suppose!

I advised her to go with Nikon, so the D80 is the new target (to all Canon fans: sorry, but we have a Canon printer already so we'd like to give the other guys a spin as well)

The only thing now is whether the 18-70mm lens is enough to start with or the longer ones (up to 125-135mm) are good enough too.

BTW our current camera is the Sony DSC-N1. No, not showing off here, just genuinely FYI.

You never make a woman changer her mind, she has already decided!

The D80 is an exceptional camera, you'll both adore it (I mean both of you because trust me the bug will bite). Get the 18-70 at least and maybe the 50mm f1.8 prime lens (i.e. its not a zoom, you zoom with your feet). This lens can be got for around $100. This lens a great portrait lens with a nice narrow depth of field and amazing sharpness that you won't get with a zoom. (with extension tubes you can get into macro work quite cheaply too, they're about $80 from ebay). Because the aperture on this lens is so wide it allows very fast shutter speeds and it a great lens to understand depth of field with.

If you feel that ye need more length for zooming in on far away things like birds, or animals at the zoo (always fun) then think about getting a bigger zoom later on, you'll never be short for a birthday or xmas present again!