Good deal today on Canon 55-250 @ Amazon

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/18/2011 09:14:49 AM · #1

Canon EF-S 55-250 $144 Limited time deal until 10 am Pacific time.

dswann

Nikon D7000

11/18/2011 09:29:45 AM · #2

I need you to find me a similar deal on a Nikon 70-300 VR :)

11/18/2011 09:45:50 AM · #3

Is this a good lens?

I have a 40D and a EF-S 17-85 and a EF 50mm 1.8 Mark II

I was holding out to get a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM this Christmas but wondered how this one compares to the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS?

11/18/2011 10:08:14 AM · #4

Originally posted by paulsteven:

Is this a good lens?

I think it's a great budget lens and it is nice and sharp at all focal lengths, but it's not L glass by any means. Not at that kind of price. It is sharper than the 17-85 that I see you also have. The areas where Canon economized were in areas other than image quality. The build is not as robust as some other lenses, the mount is plastic rather than metal, and it can hunt for focus in marginal lighting conditions. But if you can't afford your dream lens for a while, you can't go wrong with this. I used it for a few months before upgrading to a 70-300 Tammy. Here's some challenge entries I've shot with it.

Message edited by author 2011-11-18 10:10:20.

11/18/2011 10:13:15 AM · #5

Thanks Yo_Spiff.

I have never had L glass before so have no idea what is so good about it. My budget can't really stretch to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM but I am now curious how much of a difference L glass can make and therefore was going to consider second hand or selling some stuff on Ebay to make up the difference:)

I see there is also a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens. Difficult to choose a new lens when you know you won't be able to afford another for at least a year so want to make the right decision:)

Message edited by author 2011-11-18 10:14:18.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

11/18/2011 10:23:08 AM · #6

Originally posted by paulsteven:

but I am now curious how much of a difference L glass can make

IMO, not as much as some would have you think. Others will have differing opinions. The most expensive lens I own is the Tammy 10-24 which was $500 new. My most often used lens cost $250 from Craigslist. I don't think lack of L glass is holding me down.

Originally posted by paulsteven:

I see there is also a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens. Difficult to choose a new lens when you know you won't be able to afford another for at least a year so want to make the right decision:)

The 70-300 is heavier and more sturdily built than the 55-250. Has a faster focus motor, which is good if you shoot nature or sports. If you are not on an extreme budget, you can probably find one used at a good price, but that will be more like $400-500. It's got a good reputation and I can recommend it, though I actually don't own it. I have the Tamron counterpart.

Message edited by author 2011-11-18 10:24:36.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/18/2011 10:23:36 AM · #7

i had the 55-250 and i was never impressed worth it and sold it to help fund my 60D with the 18-135.

i had recently been looking into the 70-200 and

Bear_Music has one for sale at a great price. if you can afford the extra $350 over the 55-250. then i would go that route, but at $144 you can beat the price especially if you want that range.

also, i would choose the 70-200 over the 70-300 the 70-200 inst stabilized, but at f4 through out i doubt you'd notice much of a difference with the 70-300 IS since its 5.6 at the longer lengths.

i tried them both out at a store two weeks ago and the 70-200 was nice, i dont have the test shots i took here to post but it was amazingly sharp and the 70-300 was but not far off, the 70-200 was all around faster AF and quieter, but it did lack that extra 100mm.

11/18/2011 10:27:47 AM · #8

Originally posted by mike_311:

i had the 55-250 and i was never impressed worth it and sold it to help fund my 60D with the 18-135.

There's that differing opinion I mentioned. The 18-135 is actually the one I bought for $250, and I my experience has been that the 55-250 is similarly sharp to it. The 18-135 is a more robust build, however.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/18/2011 10:31:20 AM · #9

Thanks mike_311 and Yo_Spiff

Very helpful. Think I need to go into a camera shop and try them all out and see which I like. The 55-250 is a great price on Amazon and even if I don't like it, it is not so great a loss. I am sure I could get most of my money back via Ebay anyway.

Cuttooth

Canon EOS R

11/18/2011 10:38:56 AM · #10

i've never tried the 55-250 but have had both the 70-200 f4 and the 70-300.
the image quality on both were very good. i'm a bit of a shaker so i thought the 70-300 worked a little better for me since had the IS. the extra reach was nice too. around here, used 70-300s go for about $350 and used 70-200s about $550. if i had to choose between the 2, i'd probably go for the 70-300.

for the deal price of that 55-250, i'd say go for it if you can't afford one of the others just yet. i bet you could use it and when you're ready to upgrade, you could probably sell it for about the same price as you bought it.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

11/18/2011 10:42:24 AM · #11

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by mike_311:
i had the 55-250 and i was never impressed worth it and sold it to help fund my 60D with the 18-135.

There's that differing opinion I mentioned. The 18-135 is actually the one I bought for $250, and I my experience has been that the 55-250 is similarly sharp to it. The 18-135 is a more robust build, however.

i'd agree with that assessment.

i also sold my 55-250 for $150 9 months ago, so yeah its not like you will lose money by getting it.

Garry

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/18/2011 11:19:05 AM · #12

A few more images with this lens:

I've had it for a year or so, and I think it's a decent lens for what you're paying for. It definitely is not L glass quality or the fastest lens around, but you're only paying $150 for it, so you can't expect otherwise. It has IS too, which I find is actually quite good!

When you learn the limitations of this lens, it will work for you and produce some nice images as you learn your craft. I've gotten to a point over the last year where I've grown enough to appreciate the need for a faster lens and sharper IQ....so 70-200L on the way and 55-250 on Ebay.

Hope this helps with your decision!