I have learned that the wider range we go, the quality is compromised.
Currently I have 18-55mm and 55-200mm - The only limitation is that I see myself changing lens again n again which takes a lot of time when you need pictures quickly.
I am looking to cover wider range so that I don't have to change lenses again n again.
Which option would you recommend ?
Option 1
18-105mm & 70-300mm
Option 2
18-200mm
Option 3
18-105mm & 70-300mm
Option 4
18-70mm & 70-300mm
Important thing: I do want to keep my cost low as I am new in photography + want to keep the image quality instead of going crazy wide ranges where quality goes down.
I was also told that 70-300 works very slow at 300 and that is something any user want fast while shooting any moving object.
Please advise ?
You have two options that are the same. You listed 18-105mm twice unless the 70-300mm in one of those is the non-VR option?
It is difficult for any of us to recommend a lens, or lenses, to you without knowing exactly what you plan to be using it for. You have not mentioned what type of photography you do, or plan to do, so telling us that might help.
If you don't know what you like to photograph, or maybe you like to photograph a little of everything, then you would be better off with a lens that covers a wide range. Many of us here photograph specific things, most of the time, so we take the lens(s) we need for that particular job so we are not changing lenses a lot.
So it kind of breaks down like this:
If you like nature and bird photography you will absolutely need a longer lens of at least 200mm - 300mm on the longest end (or even longer if possible).
If you mostly will be photographing people and/or pets you won't need anything longer than 100mm but it may need to be a faster lens of at least f/1.8.
If you will be shooting fast moving action such as basketball, horse racing, hockey or race cars, then you will need a long telephoto lens/zoom lens that is really fast, say f/2.8 or faster, in case you shoot indoor sports.
If you mainly shoot landscapes then you can use anything from around 14mm to 35mm and it doesn't have to be a fast lens.
If your thing is portraits of people or pets, then a prime fixed focal length lens between 35mm and 100mm is kind of what you need.
So you can see there are lots of things that dictate what kind of focal length you would need and how fast a lens is required.
Your 18-55mm will cover landscapes up to portraits just fine. Your 55-200mm will cover from portraits to wildlife/birds and do a decent job. I would consider the 55-300mm lens and maybe sell the 55-200 and get a prime lens either 35mm or 50mm.
