600D with standard kit lens or 550D with a better 18-135mm lens?

engstrom0304 · 29 Nov 2011 at 22:41

Hi,
Im a complete noob when it comes to photography...

Wanting to get into it...

I can get a Canon EOS 600D with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens ... or...

A Canon EOS 550D with a 18-135mm lens for about 60 quid more...

what do you guys think for a beginner photographer?? What does the 18-135 lens mean in practice?

Guitarman0 · 29 Nov 2011 at 22:55

Well, in practice the 18-135 will give you more reach as far as zoom is concerned however the 18-55mm lens is supposed to be better quality with less chromatic aberrations and barrel distortion. You can read up about barrel distortion here and about chromatic aberrations here.

Personally if I were you I would get the 18-55mm kit lens and then think about buying a separate zoom lens (something like the 55-250mm IS if you are on a budget or the 70-200 f/4L non IS if you have a bit more cash to spend).

The only major upgrade the 600D has over the 550D is a few video features.

Here is a video that you may find useful

An Exception · 29 Nov 2011 at 22:55

I was in your position about a 1.5 years ago, went with a 550D then a 50D, then a D7000, then a D700. Looking back knowing what I know now, if I was on a budget I would have gone with the cheapest full frame camera which would be a used 5D MKI and a nice 50mm prime lens, and gradually built up a lens collection from there.

As for the choice in lens, I personally wouldn't pick either. If you are going to get a crop sensor camera I would suggest a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8, if your going FF, either a 50mm prime or a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8

engstrom0304 · 29 Nov 2011 at 23:00

An Exception said:
I was in your position about a 1.5 years ago, went with a 550D then a 50D, then a D7000, then a D700. Looking back knowing what I know now, if I was on a budget I would have gone with the cheapest full frame camera which would be a used 5D MKI and a nice 50mm prime lens, and gradually built up a lens collection from there.

As for the choice in lens, I personally wouldn't pick either. If you are going to get a crop sensor camera I would suggest a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8, if your going FF, either a 50mm prime or a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8

Those lenses seem a bit expensive though :S

An Exception · 30 Nov 2011 at 00:06

So is water cooling, however with lenses, they actually do make a difference and hold their value.

ishamy · 30 Nov 2011 at 00:29

I too am just getting in to photography... Well I've had my 500D for just over a year. Read loads before hand about what to go for, second hand seemed the best route but I went against that about bought new.. I wish I didn't. I should have gone second hand body, 40D and a good lense to go with.

I have decent kit beginner wise just now, but I still think I should have saved abit more to get better kit at a cheaper price tag. Go with what everyone is saying you won't regret it, pay more now less later rather than the other way round.