Which Bundle would you get.

[Meya39]

I'm just starting out and I'm looking a camera. I will be shooting as a hobby. I've found a couple of Bundle packs( with lens) and I have it narrowed down to 3. Which would you and why if you please?

Canon T2i 18MP D-SLR Camera w/ 18-135mm, 75-300mm Lenes & Kit - QVC.com

or

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera Bundle w/ EF-S 75-300mm Telephoto Zoom Lens ShopNBC.com

or

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Digital Camera Bundle w/ Telephoto Zoom Lens ShopNBC.com

Thank you in advance. Any help you give would be great!

Meya

[ik631]

I have a T1i with the 18-55 and 55-250. I always see the 70-300 lenses on craigslist for $50and they can't get rid of them. There is a reason. I like the 18-55 for picture quality the drawback is that the focus ring is awkward and there is no distance scale. The 70-300 is worthless if you are using it handheld because it has no image stabilization, especially at the longer end and isn't that why you want a telephoto? It also is a slow lens since it an f/4-5.6 so capturing action is going to be tough.

If I were you I would only get the 18-55 and then buy the Tamron 70-300 Di VC USD, which costs about as much as the money you save. I bought it to replance my 55-250. It has a longer reach and is sharper. It also have image stabilization, a faster ultra sonic focusing system, it comes with the lens hood (its extra for Canon's), and the distance scale that is lacking in the kit lenses. You won't end up spending more than you were planning but you'll get a lens that you'll be happy with. The pros may disagree with me but I'm working on a teacher's budget and never plan to go pro so saving for the fancy L glass isn't an option if my kids are ever going to college.

[Meya39]

Thank you! Someone else told me that the 75-300 is a terrible lens.

[A@EPOCH]

I can second the poor quality of the 75-300, the new Tamron 70-300VC is actually an incredible lens for the money. Also with what you save from not going with the package, you can pick up a Canon 50mm 1.8II for only about $100 more and it will give you a great starting prime lens for portraits and such...

[ceremus]

As mentioned, the 75-300mm USM III is a garbage lens, don't waste your money.

The last deal with the kit 18-55mm and 50-250mm lenses isn't a bad bundle, but I wouldn't call it a good value, it isn't as if it's discounted or anything. The T2i is a discontinued model, you can get a refurbished T2i direct from Canon with the 18-55mm kit lens for about $650. Add the $200 50-250mm lens and the grand total for the same package is $850 (probably close to $900 if you include tax), and they're selling that bundle for almost $1000.

Go ahead and buy the T2i with the kit lens from Canon if you want, it's a very solid entry-level DSLR. My suggestion if you want another lens to go with it is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II for another $100. You don't have as much zoom range, but you really shouldn't be looking at telephoto lengths yet until you get some experience and figure out the kind of focal lengths that you really need. Not to mention, good telephoto lenses are not cheap. The 50mm f/1.8 is a sharp lens with good image quality and will give you better results with portraits indoors with low light. Plus it's good for beginners to have a prime (non-zoom) lens, it forces you to "zoom with your feet" to frame your shot, and will help a beginner to start thinking more about their composition.

[Meya39]

I ended up ordering the T2i with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens from Amazon. I been playing with it and have class tonight. I guess I will be looking for the needed accessories after that.