The 18-200mm Canon Lens – One Super Zoom Lens Does It All
This is it! The 18-200mm Canon Lens
As the user of a Canon digital Rebel or a Canon 50D (or one of its predecessors) you really need to find out about the rewards of the 18-200mm Canon lens as an all-in-one lens option.
The NAME Says It All
Its formal name is Canon EF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 IS telephoto lens. Don’t you think 18-200mm Canon lens is lots simpler? The EF-S designation signifies that It is specifically for what are identified as “crop sensor” digital cameras. Also labeled as APS-C sensors. So, if you are shooting with a Canon 7D or one of the full frame models, the 18-200mm Canon lens will not even mount to your camera.
These Super-Zoom lenses are strongly regarded as family vacation or travel lenses because they are “one lens fits all” alternatives. You can abandon your camera bag back at the motel..
It is great for getting those fast shots. You do not have to stop and attach just the right lens to your camera body. Many times the shot is gone by the time you finish setting up to take it.
In fact, having to change lenses is one of the blessings AND the curses of digital SLR owners. We actually buy the cameras so we can change the lens, then we are frustrated when we have to.
More Benefits – this lens has a few more well worth mention.
First, as pointed out is the focal range, which is 11x. Taking into account the monumental variation in range, the image quality is extraordinary.
Also, there is IS (image stabilization) which is supposed to give you an additional 4-stops of aperture without having to use a tripod. This is important because the widest aperture is only f/3.5, and it increases from there to a max of f/5.6. This is typical of the super-zoom lenses, whether Canon or some other manufacturer.
One more benefit is the bokeh that is produced when using a wide aperture. Photographers are always comparing bokeh. Briefly, it is when you try to get the main subject of your photo in sharp focus and have the other areas of the photo in a pleasingly blurred focus. The 18-200 does a pretty good job with this, but it is not considered the best.
The last benefit has to do with a comparison to the “kit lenses” that Canon promotes. Sometimes new buyers purchase the 18-55mm starter lens and an additional 55-250mm lens for the mid-range focal lengths. These two lenses are not bad as far as image quality goes, but they are not high quality construction.
The Canon 18-200mm lens is far better constructed than the kit lenses.
Sample Images from Amazon Users
(Click the image to see the original at Amazon.com)
Aquarium of the Bay, no flash, indoors with dim lighting, hand held. Great IS!
Canon 40D at 18mm : South Africa safari lodge.
Paris full moon, captured from the Eiffel Tower.
There Is a Negative Side
There are some concerns to consider. You will find this true of nearly all super-zooms, whether they are Canon, Nikon, Sigma, or Tamron lenses. There is a compromise in image quality if you want to get the wide focal range. Most will have barrel distortion at the wide angles and chromatic aberration issues at both the shortest and the longest focal lengths.
In spite of these issues, the images are not really bad. In fact, they are quite good. If the problem areas were not pointed out, many would not even notice them. However if you are seeking for the pixel-perfect image, you will possibly need to fork out more money or use a more specific focal length lens.
What About Tamron or Sigma?
Third party manufacturers have designed some brilliant lenses that fit Canon digital SLR cameras. If the positive aspects and problem areas are the exact same, why don’t you think about saving some money for one of those? It’s a thought.
Bottom Line:
As you look at the 18-200mm Canon lens, you will be pleasantly surprised at how well it really does perform.
But do take a look at the other lenses in the same category. You can do that at Canon EOS Lenses.
