Anyone here used the Canon 70-300 IS and 55-250 IS?

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I don't do a huge amount of long lens shooting, but when I have I've found that 70mm is too long as a zoom starting point on my APS-C body. So I've been thinking of swapping my 70-300mm IS for the 55-250mm IS. The main thing I'm interested in is comparing focus speed and accuracy. Obviously the non-USM 55-250mm is slower focussing, but how much of a real-world difference did you find it made? Was it any less accurate? I'd mainly be shooting motorsport and the very occasional bird with it.

(What I'd really like is a USM version of the 55-250 IS, still EF-S, and while I'm dreaming why not constant f/4 with a non-rotating front element. I would think it would have a market too, for all those 7D users using it for sport.)
 
markmullen said:
I shot Le Mans with a 55-250 often using it in preference to a 100-400 just for its light weight, great lens and superb value for money.
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Thanks - do you have any of those photos on line, I'd love to see some examples!
 
The difference you will see is in your keeper rate.

For motorsport you need something to focus as quickly as possible and that means USM.

70mm isn't really too long, most motorsport togs use a 70-200 and a 300/400 prime - even on crop bodies.

The wider stuff you really want to go a lot wider, something like the 24-105 or 17-35 on Canon would be good choices. Generally little used for on track stuff though, perhaps the odd "wide" shot. Mainly used for paddock/pitlane.
 
I have a 70-300 IS and am reasonably happy with it but I will be dumping it just as soon as I can get my hands on the new 70-300 L lens.
 
desantnik said:
The difference you will see is in your keeper rate.

For motorsport you need something to focus as quickly as possible and that means USM.

70mm isn't really too long, most motorsport togs use a 70-200 and a 300/400 prime - even on crop bodies.

The wider stuff you really want to go a lot wider, something like the 24-105 or 17-35 on Canon would be good choices. Generally little used for on track stuff though, perhaps the odd "wide" shot. Mainly used for paddock/pitlane.
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Thanks, that's useful feedback. It's the keeper rate that I'm worried about with the 55-250. The length is an interesting point, it just seems to me every time I use that lens I find myself wishing I had a few more mm at the short end. Last time was at Rally GB where I couldn't move back any further but was unable to get the whole of the cars in frame for the most interesting shot from where I was standing. I guess it was more of an issue of bad planning on my part than anything else, but it wasn't the first time I've felt like that.

markmullen said:
If you have a look on my flickr at the Le Mans set 90% of them were taken with the 55-250 http://www.flickr.com/photos/markmullen/sets/72157624302358014/
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Thanks, I'll have a look through!

Jackwow said:
I have a 70-300 IS and am reasonably happy with it but I will be dumping it just as soon as I can get my hands on the new 70-300 L lens.
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Heh - that's a little out of my price range and still starts at 70mm so I thin I'll be giving that a miss.
 
Well, Canon have just done the new 70-300 L which fits your spec except that its 70-300 and no doubt you'll say "HOW MUCH!!!" :D
 
Adey said:
My thoughts exactly. Feels like there is a big hole missing where my next lens should be.
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Tell me about it. I've been through so many zoom lenses and I still can't find one that suits me. So far I've had:

Tamron 70-300mm LD Macro
Canon 100-300mm USM
Canon 70-300mm IS USM

And I've tried the Canon 70-200 f/4 L which was lovely but too expensive given it doesn't really have the range I want and I won't be using it that much.

So yeah, probably the 55-250mm will be my next port of call.
 
For rallying I often use a 24-105, I find in a lot of cases the 70-200 is a little long, naturally it depends on where you find yourself but I like to go exploring away from the main spectator areas to places you are a bit closer in. That said I used a 1.4 TC on the 70-200 at Rally GB for some of the longer shots. At Le Mans on the other hand you need a bit longer
 
markmullen said:
For rallying I often use a 24-105, I find in a lot of cases the 70-200 is a little long, naturally it depends on where you find yourself but I like to go exploring away from the main spectator areas to places you are a bit closer in. That said I used a 1.4 TC on the 70-200 at Rally GB for some of the longer shots. At Le Mans on the other hand you need a bit longer
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Good point - I guess 'motorsport' as a requirement is too vague, at F1 you need totally different focal lengths from rally. That range would be another bonus with the 55-250mm. I think I'll pick one up secondhand and see how I get on with it, it shouldn't cost me more than about £15 if I don't like it and sell it on.
 
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