Question about 18-200 lens.

[DNA]

I hope that 18-200IS would be so great lens. Then, XSi + 18-200 is my ultimate travel lens (one lens solution).

1st.
My question is whether 18-200 price is coming down in this fall or soon?
XSi's price is pretty getting down, so we can get the body around 600-650 now.
Like the body, is the new lens also getting down in price?

2nd.
Is there any possibility to release 18-200 as a XSi's kit lens?

3rd.
When does Canon usually provide rebate program? When do you think the upcoming rebate program start?

Any comment, appreciated!

Thanks

[Bob Atkins]

Since the 18-200 hasn't been released yet, it's not likely the price of the lens will fall much before the Xmas season. It's listing at $699.95 and I'be be surprised to see that fall by more than a few dollars this year. Canon rebates usually run from October through January (last year they started on October 18th) but of course not all lenses are included. Items which are new and in demand aren't usually offered with a rebate, but you just can't tell if that will be the case with the EF-S 18-200/3.5-5.6IS. It may not even be in the stores by mid-October.

I'm not sure we'll see it as a kit lens. Since the price of the lens is more than most digital Rebel bodies, that would make an expensive package. Normally the lower end cameras are offered with low cost kit lenses. I know Nikon have offered their 18-200VR lens as a kit with the D300, but the D300 is comparable in price to the EOS 50D. (in fact it's more expensive). I'm not sure Nikon have ever offered their 18-200 with their lower priced bodies as a kit.

[whizkid]

I was glad to see Canon finally offer the anticipated 18-200 lens but was very disappointed to see that the lens lacks ring-type USM focusing. That would make it somewhat superior for focus tracking subjects and would offer FTM (full time manual) focusing as well. Priced at $700 it is no bargain.The fact that the cheaper 17-85 is outfitted with ring-type USM, it seeemed appropriate that Canon would do the same with their 18-200.  Shame on Canon.

[Sponge1971]

I betchya 10bucks they'll wait a year and release a version II with ring USM.

There's too much grumbling going on about them not USMing that lens.  Especially for the price.

Me, I'm seriously considering the Tamron 18-270.  It's the same or cheaper in price and it's certainly the same micromotor focus, so why not get the extra reach, if you're going to spend that much.  The upcoming reviews/comparisons wil be *very* interesting....

Eric

[Bob Atkins]

The Tamron 18-270 does look interesting if you want one lens to do everything. I'm hoping to get hold of one to review before too long (ditto for the Canon lens too).

I seriously doubt that Canon would make a version of the 18-200 with a ring USM motor. They've never made such an upgrade in the past and I'm sure that they wanted to keep the price of this lens as low as possible. It's not cheap now at almost $700 and a redesign to use a ring USM motor would probably boost the price by $100-$150, making it even further out of the reach of those looking for a low cost lens they can just leave on the camera all the time. It's possible they could put a micro USM in it like they have in the 70-300/4-5.6IS USM, but quite frankly the micro USM really isn't that much better than a conventional motor. It not as fast or quiet as a ring USM and it doesn't give you full time manual focus override.