Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Great addition to your kit lens
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this lens for almost a year now, and I have to say it spends the most time on my camera. It is an excellent addition to the 18-55mm kit lens on my XSi. I find this lens very versatile and I do take most of my pictures with it. As other reviewers have said, if you like the kit lens you will like this one too. The IS is noticeably noisy, you can definately hear a buzzing noise but then again the camera is up beside your ear while you're shooting. It has gotten that I don't notice it unless I think about it. Image quality is great for what you pay for this lens. I'm not a professional and no one sits down to scrutinize my photos so the quality is more than adequate for my needs. The Autofocus is a tad on the slow side if you are going quickly from something near to far, but small distance changes are no problem. I did pick up a Zeikos UV filter and ET-60 hood for cheap for extra accidental bump and glare/flare protection. I have taken this lens to Greece and the Dominican Republic in the last year and I am very pleased with the photos I was able to take in the bright glaring sun, no flares with the hood and filter on. Currently I have a Sony close-up filter on order and I will be trying out some "almost-macro" shots this spring. With this lens I can go from wider angle landscape/portrait shots (just stand back farther) to tight and close head shots, wildlife, close-ups and macros. The only issue I have found are the filter threads on the end of the lens. It is very difficult to thread filters straight without cross threading onto this lens, an issue I don't have with my 18-55mm. Overall I am very happy with this lens and I highly recommend it to any amateur photographer.Customer Review: OMG!
Summary: 5 Stars
Maybe I just got lucky, but I LOVE this lens! Yes, it is plastic (which can be a good thing, since it's lighter and smaller than comparable zooms). And come on, I only paid $250!
The images from this lens are tack sharp with bokeh that is pleasing to the eye, though not as smooth and buttery as some would like. For me, this is fine, as a bit of post-processing can help if needed.
In most lighting (even in the dark!) this lens focuses relatively quickly compared to the Canon 18-200mm lens I'm replacing. The only time I found it slow to focus is in very low light, low contrast scenes, with the lens zoomed past 200mm. However, that is an issue with many zoom lenses in this price range (and higher). IS works well and is pretty quiet. Zooming/focusing is smooth with no lens creep whatsoever. Oh, and it doesn't drain my battery too quickly, like some competitors' zoom lenses.
Also, I see NO evidence of fringing in 99% of the high-contrast photos taken with this lens on my 50D. In the small number of pictures that display fringing, it is minimal and of a neutral color, NOT purple. Overall, I'm very impressed with the functionality, ease of use and picture quality for the price paid. This lens is a big winner for me and will find a happy home alongside the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and Canon 10-22mm wide angle.
After trying some very positively reviewed lenses from Tamron and Sigma, I've decided no one knows Canon cameras like Canon. I doubt I'll buy another lens from any other company in the future. Go Canon!!!
Customer Review: Quality on a budget
Summary: 5 Stars
I shoot family & fun, not professionally. I look for quality on a budget. I was looking for a telephoto with image stabilization that wouldn't break my bank. I have an old full frame 70-300mm w/o IS & it has limitations. With the crop factor on the 55-250mm lens, I am actually not losing much at full zoom. This lens has inexpensive build quality (same plastic & light weight construction as 18-55mm kit lens). I may regret this some day, but not now. To compare, I also looked at the 70-300mm with IS. It was more than twice the cost as the 55-250 mm that I purchased.
I have been pleased to very impressed with the shots that I have taken with this lens. The autofocus range is quite far, so the focus time may be longer than expected. Also, it does not always focus on exactly what I expect, but that has been the case with every telephoto I have used. I would put the focus time on par with other similar quality lenses. The color is vibrant and the images are crisp. Finally, I like that the threaded accessory mount is 58mm, the same as the kit lens. All of my screw on filters can be used with this lens.
I would highly recommend this lens to any non-professional that is on a budget and looking for quality results.
At the time of purchase (Dec 23rd), Amazon had this lens at $207, free shipping, free next day shipping, and they threw in a $12 haze filter for free. I ordered at 1:30 p.m. and the lens was at my door 26 hours later... Xmas eve. Spectacular job Amazon!
Customer Review: Excellent Lens
Summary: 5 Stars
Finaly decided to take the DSLR plunge after shooting SLRs for more than 25 years. My first SLR was a Canon AE-1 which was a fine camera for its time. I bought this lens along with the XSi kit and with the rebate the lens cost only 69 bones. It's an outstanding lens for that kind of money.
The lens is mostly plastic but that's not necessarily bad. In many applications plastic is superior to metal. Good quality plastic (yes there are different grades) is lighter, cheaper and as stable and strong as metal. I've lugged heavy metal cameras and lenses up and down mountains and through jungles and its not a lot of fun as I get older. Most people simply do not need a lens that can be run over by a truck or thrown off of a cliff. Plastic is just fine. This is a great carry around lens.
The speed is about average for a consumer grade lens (f/4.0-5.6). Its very sharp throughout the zoom range. The IS is surprisingly good even though it makes a faint clicking sound which can be annoying. Its not an L lens but is an L lens really worh it for the hobbyist/serious amateur at 10 times the price? An amateur is better off working on his or her technique rather than spending top dollar on equipment. Whether its golf, skiing or photography, expensive equipment alone does not make you good at what you're doing. I've seen outstanding photographs taken with pocket cameras and bad ones taken with top notch gear. Like most things, photography comes down to the skill of the person.
Customer Review: Great lens for the beginners wanting more.
Summary: 5 Stars
To make this short and simple this is a great lens for those who are sick of using the basic 18-55mm stock lens.
-Pros-
The price tag on this lens is perfect as it's not a very high tech lens but also serves its purpose as a distance lens. Anything better you'd be paying 500+ for the next one up.
Image quality is great and as I said up above for the price you can't beat it.
The IS never seems to fail no matter how much I tried. I was shooting for almost 3-4 hrs and didn't see a drop in battery life. The IS only works when the shutter release button is half pressed so as long as you keep that in check you'll be fine.
Don't be fooled by the plastic/rubber body. It's pretty durable. The zoom feature is a tad stiff at first but will ease in time.
-Cons-
The weight of the lens is fairly heavy. I'm using a Canon EOS Rebel XT which is a fairly light model but the lens makes its a tad front heavy. Tripod would be recommended depending on what you're shooting. Now this will vary on your camera.
The focus is somewhat slow so that can limit what kind of subject's you'll shoot. Also it's not the quietest lens out there. The IS is barely noticeable but when focusing its loud for a lens. Again this might change what subject you'll be shooting.
Overall a great lens for those who want to excel their skills. I'm very happy with this lens and look forward to capturing amazing images with it.