Upgrading to a Canon Rebel T2i

[Bryant Yang]

So I've been on the search for a good bargain on the T2i for awhile. That's why I haven't bought one yet. But today, I ran into a deal on Amazon and it seems to be a decent steal for the price with a what seems to me to be a decent lens. I'm not that great at determining what are great lens and what are bad lens. Besides the knowledge that a red ring means a lens is of high quality. Ok...well maybe there isn't such a thing as a pair of bad lens or good lens (unless they're cheap-o lens), it just depends on what you are going to do with it right? But I'm not sure if the lens that come with the T2i here (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-3-0-...ag=logicbuy-20) is any good. So do you think you can help me out?

I kind of want a zoom lens because I tend to shoot outside more often and I tend to want to get closer to my subjects/objects without having to get in too close. Especially when shooting animals, you don't want to piss of a deer and get rammed over [sarcasm]. But yes, I did a bit of research and the lens that is coming with it is a Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens. It's priced at $458.98 on Amazon (Amazon.com: Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo). The T2i as I have seen it before is usually priced around the $799 mark. So this is a decent steal for someone who wants to purchase a T2i right? By the way what does EF-S, IS, UD, mean? I have too many questions but I'll ask more later.

I'm kind of having second thoughts about the T2i because the T3i is coming out soon but it's going to be quite awhile before the T3i drops in price. Besides there isn't much of a difference. But yes, my main questions are: is this a good deal and is the lens good enough to be bought along the T2i for the price of $839+Free Shipping?

Sorry for being all over the place, I'm just really excited.

[RichardTaylor]

I can't comment on the "deal" as I am not familiar with prices in your country.

EF-S is Canon's lens mount for APS-C sensor cameras only, like a T2i .
It cannot be used on 1 or 5 series cameras.

IS means Image stabilsation (a method of reducing the effect of camera shake).

UD means Ultra low Dispersion
From a Canon website.
Hi-UD glass is one of the new technologies to open new possibilities to develop the zoom lenses with low weight and high optical performance.
Canon BCTV Lenses: What is Hi-UD glass?

I don't own that lens however it would be a reasonable general purpose/vacation, good light (without using a tripod), lens. It will be too short for shooting a lot of wildlife especially if the wild life is not used to people, small or if you want anything more then wildlife in a scene.
Around abut 100mm is a starting point and preferablty you want something that goes to 300/400mm so that basically means in addition to your standard zoom a 70-300 at the very least (or a 18-270 "superzoom" if you want to go that route)

Here is an example.
(1) To give you an idea of the distance I was shooting from. That's me crouching down)


(2) On 40D (APS-C camera) & 70mm


(3) At 300mm (an this is a cropped inage,

[inkista]

Here's a good review on the 18-135. It's a good solid kit lens, better optical performance (and cheaper) than the EF-S 18-200 IS, but it's an entry-level lens. There are better optical performers, but usually at higher prices or with smaller zoom ranges.

I think you were probably confusing the EF-S 18-135 IS with the EF-S 15-85 IS USM, pricewise (the 15-85 is nearer the $700 mark and it came out at the same time, so the reviews tend to be grouped together). The 18-135 has always been in the $500 and under price range. The prices on Amazon, B&H, and Adorama are pretty much the going rate on any lens. If you find it for much lower than that, it's probably a bait'n'switch scam.

If you can, I'd also suggesting waiting until March to see if the Spring rebates kick in. Part of the reason prices seemed to just jump upwards is because the Winter rebates ran out at the beginning of January, as well as an actual price increase.

I kind of want a zoom lens because I tend to shoot outside more often and I tend to want to get closer to my subjects/objects without having to get in too close.

Agree with Richard: an 18-135 probably isn't going to have enough reach for you. You probably want something more like the 70-300 IS USM (or the EF-S 55-250 IS or the Sigma 70-300. Wouldn't recommend the Canon 75-300 III unless you really can't afford anything else.)

By the way what does EF-S, IS, UD, mean?

A description of some of the Canon lens nomenclature is given here:
Technology Hall - Technical Room

USM means "ultrasonic motor": essentially a silent and fast autofocus motor in the lens. It can affect how quickly the autofocus system can perform.

I'm kind of having second thoughts about the T2i because the T3i is coming out soon but it's going to be quite awhile before the T3i drops in price. Besides there isn't much of a difference.

Flash master in the popup and a flip-out LCD. To me those two features alone are worth the price and the upgrade, but everybody's got different needs and budgets. But if you have the interest/inclination, take a whirl through the Strobist's Welcome page.

.... is this a good deal and is the lens good enough to be bought along the T2i for the price of $839+Free Shipping?

Yes. Amazon will typically find you a decent price on something that's been released and is widely available and is coming from Amazon, instead of a 3rd party seller. It's pre-release and when stuff is out of stock that you have to be careful of the 3rd-party prices on Amazon. Other reputable online dealers would be B&H, Adorama, and Beach Camera, (the latter two of whom you can purchase from via Amazon if you prefer that ordering system). KEH is good for used equipment, as are Adorama and B&H.

[Bryant Yang]

Thank you both so much, you have been of great help with your detailed responses. Those pictures definitely helped the most.

Good news, I purchased it, and I'm loving it! Thanks once again for helping me make a decision wisely.

[Thunder_o_b]

I hope it works for you, and you have many years with it.