Camera Labs

I know you can get the a230 with 2 lens' but can you buy it with the DT 55-200mm f4-5.6 SAM lens only and no 18-55 lens? The reason I am asking is I can't afford the dual lens kit but would prefer the 55-200mm!

I don't think so as the 18-55 is a generally more useful range if you're going to have only 1 lens. I've never seen a camera kit that bundled a telephoto instead of a standard zoom.

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PhilipGoh.com

I wouldn't for several reasons

-the kit lens is highly discounted when sold as a kit so you are saving money
-people like the original kit lens included when buying second hand
-like pqtips said, it's a very useful range

If you really want to, if you can find the A230 sold body only, then you just have to find the 55-200 and buy it separately. You will not find an A230 + 55-200 kit so assuming that the A230 is sold by itself the challenge is to find it.

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Graham
Flickr

Looking at UK prices, there isn't really a difference between body only and with single kit lens. There is quite a jump to the two lens kit - hardly any saving over buying the single kit and long lens separately. Put another way, the longer zoom is "worth" more than the shorter one anyway, so even if it were available it'll cost more than the single lens kit.

You could try asking if the dealer would take out the shorter lens from the double lens kit, but don't expect a significant saving if they agree.

As an alternative possibility, get the single lens kit, and look out for the Tamron 55-200. It's practically identical to the Sony but a bit cheaper.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Or get the dual-lens-kit and sell the 18-55mm. Not the best option, since you won't be able to sell it for all that much, but hey, you'll end up with a camera + 55-200mm...

I'd just get both, you may need the wide angle some time.

- Bjorn -

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Thanks for your help guys!