Lens questions for Canon 550D

JaneH

JaneH

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Jane
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Some advice, please: I'm considering buying a Canon 550D, but don't know much about lenses. I already have a 350D, with the kit lens (EF 18-55) so I'm planning to buy the 550D body only. I also have a Canon EF 28-135MM F3.5-5.6 IS USM lens that I bought about 1999 or maybe 2000. It's an okay lens but really heavy. My questions:

* Is the kit lens with the 550D identical to the one I already have with my 350D?
* I'm looking at a new lens: Tamron - AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DI II VC LD Aspheric [IF] Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR. Would that work with a 550D? And does it have Image Stabilizer? I can't see anything in the specs about that.
* Do I really need the image stabilizer with a 550D? Does anyone have a better idea for a lens replacement?

Thanks for any advice.
 
I'm not sure about the second question, but I can tell you that the 350D kit lens will not have image stabalisation, whereas the 550D one will. Obviously it's better, since it'll mean you can get away with slower shutter speed and still get a decently sharp image.
 
Quick answer.The tamron will work with a 550D and it has image stabilisation -the VC bit( vibration control)
But which Tamron is it? there is a new one out,the old one is £300 and the new one is £500,the difference seems to be in the focus motor and improved VC.
Remember it is a superzoom and while it gets very good reviews(http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron_18-270_3p5-6p3_vc_n15/) it has limitations because its trying to do everything.
Depends on your budget the canon 55-250 IS seems well thought of and fits well with the kit lens off the 550D
 
Jane

Not 100% sure about the kit lens question but if “Smeghead” is right for the extra it might be worth getting the 550D kit with ether the 18-55mm IS or 18-135mm IS or even the twin lens kit with the extra 55-250mm. If you want to sell the 350D as it will be easier with a lens on it.

The Tamron 18-270mm will work very well with a 550D I have had one for 18 months on my 500D. The Tamron does have IS or VC (vibration control) as they call it and it works very well. The lens is a jack of all and master of none other than having a 15x zoom. It is a bit slow to AF and is not great in low light but as a walk about do everything lens it is very, very good. If you find your 28-135 heavy compare the weights as the Tamron is not a light weight. Jessops are doing them for £300 which is half what they were when new, this is due to a newer PDZ version coming out this year this is quite a bit smaller and lighter. I have tried one but found no improvement in image quality and it is much more expensive at £500+.

Image stabilizers come in handy when using a telephoto as small vibrations are magnified greatly when using long lenses so yes you need IS if you intend to shoot stationary objects hand held at anything but the fastest shutter speeds. If you intend to always use a tripod or only shoot moving subjects it is not needed. The 550D does not have it built in so yes it is advisable.

The Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 VC is also getting some good reviews and might complement the lenses you have. The Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM is also very good and worth a look at.
 
First thing to say is that the 18-55 lens you have is the old non-IS version and the new one, that you can get at a knock-down kit price with the 550D, is completely revised and much better. Sell the old one.

Questions: do you really want that great big all-in-one Tamron? Canon 18-200 is better.

This is all just opinion, but options might be the Canon 15-85 which is really excellent, coupled to the cracking little cheapy Canon 55-250. That would be my choice (assuming the Canon 17-55 is out of budget) but also the Canon 18-135 might do the trick for not much money?

It's always a compromise of requirements vs budget.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Budget is a concern but I'd rather pay more and have it right than pay slightly less and have regrets and end up going for the more expensive lens later anyway!

The difference between the camera body and camera kit is only £62, so I suppose it makes sense to go ahead and get the kit. I'm not unhappy with my zoom lens, but as it's quite old (10 years maybe?), I was just wondering if I should think about another lens. It's had plenty of knocks and it doesn't do close-ups very well. Anyway, I'm going to go ahead and order the 550D kit, based on what everyone has said, and take my time with a new lens.

Thanks again for all the discussion so far.
 
As an update: I did get the Canon 550D with the kit lens. Took it for a spin at Chartwell and am very happy with it. I'm not a photographer, just a happy hobbyist. I shoot photos for myself, my family, my blog, and various craft projects. I'd still like to have a better lens but for now am sticking with what I have until I learn to use it better.

Thanks for the replies.
 
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