Thanks, John! I really appreciate the input!


After spending today getting to know my new camera and lens, I found that I used the full focal length range of the 18-200. I'd love to have more than one lens, but I feel that at this time it would be best for me to stick with the 18-200 and learn how to use it, which unfortunately is the opposite approach to what you suggested. Right now, my eye is not very attuned to things like chromatic aberration, barrel distortion, pincushion, vignetting, etc. The pictures I took look very nice, and to my untrained eye, sharp. I'm sure as I get more experience these unpleasant details will become more apparent to me.


The 18-200 may not be the brightest, sharpest, or fastest, but it really is a huge step up for me from my little PowerShot point and shoot (which I still love). So in time, with use and experience, I'll likely need to expand my range of lenses and get that 15-85 and 70-200, and the 18-200 will become the travel lens. Until then, I really need to work on composition and learning to effectively use the manual controls.


Thank you very much for your suggestions!