Canon EOS Digital Rebel T4i 18MP SLR Camera w/ 18-135mm STM Lens + 40mm Pancake STM Lens $899 +Free Ship

Hoogineer said:   The 18-135mm STM by itself is very expensive, but apparently it's the lens that makes video-recording on the 650d.

The 18-135 STM sells for about $250 on eBay.

This is not a great kit that you can resell the parts and make a lot of money on. The T4i bodies are a bit slow to sell, and they sell for around $550. So $550 + $235 + $135 = $920. $920-$899= $21 net.

BUT if you are looking for a T4i to buy and own, THIS IS A GREAT KIT. The 18-135 STM is a very good lens, much improved over the previous 18-135 IS. The still image auto focus with the T4i and the 18-135 is EXCELLENT. I was amazed how quickly and cleanly it snapped into focus for stills. (The Canon T4i has 9 higher quality, cross-type auto focus points, and one high-precision auto focus point, the same as the 60D. The T3i, by comparison, had only 1 cross type point. This camera is a very nice upgrade from the T3i.)

The 18-135 is also very useful for auto focus during video. That auto focus is not fantastic - it can be a bit slow at times. But it helped me to use the T4i in place of a camcorder, extending the video capabilities "downward" from high end cinema-style filmmaking to everyday use in lower light, up to ISO 3200. And the face tracking auto focus is very useful in good light.

The 40 mm STM is an awesome, high quality lens at a bargain price.

This is fantastic equipment at a very low price. This is the first Rebel series camera - the first entry level camera - that I am happy to use as a 20+ year pro. This is also the first non-L Canon lens that I keep in my kit and use.

For anyone moving up to DSLR's from a point & shoot, or even upgrading from an older DSLR, this is an excellent, excellent choice! And the net "cost of ownership" cost t0 buy the kit, less the cost top sell it in 2-3 years (if you upgrade again) is very reasonable.

I still see Canon T3i kits with the 18-55 selling used in the $450 range. If you were able to sell this kit for $575 (with the much better quality lens) and the 490mm for $100 in 2-3 years, your net cost would be $225, or about $100 per year. That is equivalent to shooting about 8 rolls of film per year, or less!

Happy days for photographers, as these entry level cameras show a lot of quality at not a large price.

Good luck!
Michael

I think this bundle is a great value because they are they new STM lenses, have a greater focus and I think much more usable than the other package with the std lens and the 55-250. I simply do not find much use for the 55-250 however the 18-135 is just the sweet spot of usability for me. I wish they would run some deals on their mid to upper level speed lights. Looking forward to using the 40mm on situations where I am going to be up close and can leave some bulk in the bag. In for one already shipped.

unadog said:   The 18-135 STM sells for about $250 on eBay.

I think you are looking at the wrong lens on eBay. There are 2 Canon 18-135mm lenses, an STM and a non-STM. The non-STM sells for ~200+. The STM is in the $350-400 range. There is currently an auction on an STM lens with 13 hours to go at $305.