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A55 + Sony 18-250 bundle $1099 @B&H

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fanboy6

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Would this body + lens package be (arguably) better than purchasing a body with the 18-55mm kit lens and a 55-200mm lens for approximately the same price?

I am asking because this is the exact camera I am hoping to buy this week.
Thanks!
 
Absolutely YES. Better IQ with this lens over the 2lens combo, and no lens swapping so faster, less dust and easier for traveling.
--
Twitter: http://twitter.com/puresolidness
a33 videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ND3x19nZE - Rode VideoMic Unboxing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7G2XnTtk_E - Joby GorillaPod SLR Zoom Unboxing & Load Test/Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQrVV8bOtJM - Sony a33 Video Test - AF / MF & SteadyShot noise levels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34f6FFr3Z84 - Sony 55-200mm lens unboxing and hands on
 
Is that what that combo pack costs?

I think the 18-55 and 55-200 are very nice budget lenses, but I would prefer the 18-250 simply for the extra reach and not having to change. You get a nicer (i.e. slightly better IQ) "walk around/vacation" lens to replace two somewhat inferior lenses.

Only other issue here is the ad says "Preiorder", so if you want it in your hands asap you may want to check when it's due to come in with the 18-250.
 
spectoau said:
Would this body + lens package be (arguably) better than purchasing a body with the 18-55mm kit lens and a 55-200mm lens for approximately the same price?

I am asking because this is the exact camera I am hoping to buy this week.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
The price difference is approximately $200. The Sony 18-250mm is a very good all purpose lens and you would avoid having to change lenses. The two lenses however are a bit faster and lighter if you look at them separately.
--
May the good light always be with you! - Karl (A700:: 10-20/18-250/50-500)
 
fanboy6 said:
Is that what that combo pack costs?
Click to expand...
I went to my local store this past weekend, and there is a $50 instant rebate on the body + 18-55mm (making it $799) and a $150 rebate* off the 55-200mm lens, making the total $849 plus tax. I was going to throw in a 50mm prime as well, bringing it relatively close to the BH package mentioned.

Online, however this is only $100 so I am not sure if the sales assistant had misread the screen when I was there.
 
Karl Scharf said:
The price difference is approximately $200. The Sony 18-250mm is a very good all purpose lens and you would avoid having to change lenses. The two lenses however are a bit faster and lighter if you look at them separately.
Click to expand...
How noticeable would the auto-focus difference be? One of the main reasons I am selecting the A55 is the auto-focus and 10fps. If the all in one lens reduces this significantly it may not be to my benefit.
 
spectoau said:
How noticeable would the auto-focus difference be? One of the main reasons I am selecting the A55 is the auto-focus and 10fps. If the all in one lens reduces this significantly it may not be to my benefit.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I mean the SPEED of the autofocusing (if this is the wrong interpretation of "speed" please excuse my beginner ignorance)
 
I would guess the auto focus on the 18-250 would be a little slower if you went from close range to infinity and it had to wind through the whole range.

Not to sure though. Never had that lens, but I hear it is pretty nice and great since you do not have to switch out lenses. Makes the camera an all in one zoom really.
The 55-200 is a decent lens and so is the 18-55
Check out reviews at http://www.dyxum.com for all a mount lenses.

If its $200 more you could put that money toward the 50 but thats a tough call as you would lose a little on the long end and convenience, but get a nice portrait lens as well.
 
spectoau said:
spectoau said:
How noticeable would the auto-focus difference be? One of the main reasons I am selecting the A55 is the auto-focus and 10fps. If the all in one lens reduces this significantly it may not be to my benefit.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I mean the SPEED of the autofocusing (if this is the wrong interpretation of "speed" please excuse my beginner ignorance)
Click to expand...
The 18-55 has an internal focusing motor and should theoretically focus faster. The 55-200 and 18-250 rely on the in camera focusing motor. My guess is that the 55-200 focuses slightly faster than the 18-250 simply because it has to cover less range. Also, keep in mind that the lens f-stop also affects focusing speed.
--
May the good light always be with you! - Karl (A700:: 10-20/18-250/50-500)
 
Adorama has the same price kits $899 with 2 lens and $1099 with 18-250.

They also have an a33 body only for $499 or two lens kit for $749 so $150 less than the a55.

its 2 less megapixels (won't matter much at all.)
A little worse high ISO (probably not a big deal in most situations)
and no GPS tagging.
also 7 frames compared to 10 frames a second.

Thats why I went with the a33. In real world shooting these differences are not a big deal in most situations.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there 2 versions of the 55-200mm: An old one (non-sam) and new one (sam)? And isn't the sam version internal focusing like the 18-55kit lens?
Karl Scharf said:
The 18-55 has an internal focusing motor and should theoretically focus faster. The 55-200 and 18-250 rely on the in camera focusing motor. My guess is that the 55-200 focuses slightly faster than the 18-250 simply because it has to cover less range.
--
May the good light always be with you! - Karl (A700:: 10-20/18-250/50-500)
Click to expand...
--
Twitter: http://twitter.com/puresolidness
a33 videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ND3x19nZE - Rode VideoMic Unboxing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7G2XnTtk_E - Joby GorillaPod SLR Zoom Unboxing & Load Test/Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQrVV8bOtJM - Sony a33 Video Test - AF / MF & SteadyShot noise levels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34f6FFr3Z84 - Sony 55-200mm lens unboxing and hands on
 
PureSolidness said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there 2 versions of the 55-200mm: An old one (non-sam) and new one (sam)? And isn't the sam version internal focusing like the 18-55kit lens?
Click to expand...
I am so new to this that I couldn't tell you, but I did notice SAM on the 55-100mm in store that I was trying out.
 
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