Well, as for the UV fliter, you need to pay for it. Depends on which type you get. Lousy ones, or good ones like Hoya and really good ones like B+W. The price range increases with the grade and size of the glass element on the filter.
I do respect your mindset, but we are trying over here not to have any member waste their money over a lens that does not justify its price. The 18-200mm, costs about a $1000, compared to the 55-250mm, which cost around $360-$400. The 55-250mm, can win the 18-200mm hats off in terms of picture quality. So that's something you have to consider. It's way lighter than a 18-200mm.
Trust me, half of the time, you'll won't be using anything above 100-150mm. A telephoto lens is useful when you have to take shots far away. Like you are on a boat, but you see a nice whale on the ocean, you can just walk up to the whale and take a photo of it, you have to use a telephoto lens.
Of course, if you have a 18-200mm, you can take it instantly, because you don't have to change lenses. Then again think of this. When you get into DSLR photography, you need to know the situation you are in. If you are looking across the ocean for some nice marine life shots, certainly you won't have thw 18-55mm kit lens attached on your camera. You would want to have something with a decent range that can capture the moment. This case the 55-250mm is suitable. Then when you are else where with friends, you can just take the 18-55mm kit lens. It's very good. Rather than to lug around a heavy 18-200mm lens that costs as much as an L lens.
Hope you undestand by what i mean. The members here wish not to see someone waste their money, but rather, use it wisely. Though, i'm not forcing you to go according to my option, you still have the choice to make your own decesion.
Hope my understanding helps. No offense if i sounded a little harsh. Take care
GMAN
Got prize means I will get to be very busy liao :bigeyes:
