Canon Zoom Advice

CruisingComet

CruisingComet

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Ed
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Hello All...

I'm looking to get a longer lens for my Canon 450D setup and would appreciate your feedback / advice

The 1st thing I did was remove the stock Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens and replaced it with the better built albeit much heavier Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens.

Now I want something with more reach but don't want to spend a fortune, so I have been considering the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens, but am a little put of by the price (currently around £419 but can be found a little cheaper)

Another consideration is the cheaper, Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens which I can get for around £170, now I know this is considered a budget lens but I've read nothing but good about this lens. Positives for me would be the cheaper purchase cost, the lightweight of this lens, reviews I've read say this lens is sharp even at the 250mm end?

Things against the better quality Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens, is it's heavier weight, which I would imagine is very heavy if my 17-85 lens is anything to go by. Also reviews Ive read are mixed, some saying image quality falls off nearer the 300mm end?

So to recap:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens @ £419.00
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens @ £170.00

* £249 difference between the two lenses *

Is it really worth me shelling out the extra? I don't want to go with the cheaper lens then in a few months wished I had gone with more expensive one, but at the same time am I going to gain that much by going with the more expensive lens :bang:

This is the review conclusion that I read elsewhere by Bob Atkins, which just about sums up the cheaper lens I guess:

Overall, I can certainly recommend this lens if you're looking for a small, light, inexpensive telephoto lens for an APS-C DSLR. It doesn't have quite the reach of the 70/75-300 zooms, but it matches better with the EF-S 18-55 IS kit lens, it's optically as good as or better then the non IS 75-300 zooms - plus it has IS!

Any advice and experience of either lens from you guys here before I commit would be most appreciated :cool:
 
Hi i have the 55-250 which is also part of the dual pack kit lens, i must say for the money i'm more than happy with it.

Out of the other two the 70-300 is tha far better lens and get very good reports, a friend of mine is a member on here and he has just purchased one and is very happy with it.

Have you though about second hand ,

Excellent condition and 6 months warranty from a trusted seller.

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...-fit-lenses/canon-ef-70-300mm-f/4-5.6-is-usm/
 
Can only comment on the 55-250 so here goes

Have had various lenses some a bit pricier and others considerably more expensive, but none cheaper and this one is a real bargain in every way.

Its not the greatest build quality, has a plastic mount and isn't the fastest thing since the roadrunner, but the images it produces are excellent and the IS really does work.
Doesn't come with a hood, so that's a few pounds more, but where else can you get such a great lens for under two hundred quid?

Don't think you will be dissappointed and well worth a try
 
Motogp said:
Have you though about second hand ,
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response... Yes I've considered 2nd hand / Used, but for that kind of saving I'd probably go new anyway TBH.

I'm not really a huge fan of used gear, as I usually like to have stuff from new and know exactly how its been cared for.

I could pay the extra for the 70-300mm, but just wondering if the extra investment would really give me that much more in terms of optics and reach?
 
tijuana taxi said:
Can only comment on the 55-250 so here goes

Have had various lenses some a bit pricier and others considerably more expensive, but none cheaper and this one is a real bargain in every way.

Its not the greatest build quality, has a plastic mount and isn't the fastest thing since the roadrunner, but the images it produces are excellent and the IS really does work.
Doesn't come with a hood, so that's a few pounds more, but where else can you get such a great lens for under two hundred quid?

Don't think you will be dissappointed and well worth a try
Click to expand...

Yeah.. thanks for that :cool:

These are just the kinda comments I keep reading about this lens, and which TBH are driving me towards getting the 55-250. for the money it does seem a darn good buy.
 
This was taken with the at 250mm and then cropped.

IMG_0737-2.jpg


Like the nifty fifty you can't go wrong for the money and if you decide to spend more tale a look at the 70-200mm f4l as andrew pointed out.

:)
 
CruisingComet said:
Hello All...


Now I want something with more reach but don't want to spend a fortune, so I have been considering the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens, but am a little put of by the price (currently around £419 but can be found a little cheaper)


So to recap:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens @ £419.00
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens @ £170.00

* £249 difference between the two lenses *
Click to expand...

Hi,

I have just ordered my partner the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens from Kerso, a member here and a seller who is highly recommended by other members who have bought from him, for £349.

I have the 55-250 and i am happy with it but i am a beginner.

Hope this helps,

Tracey
 
i would buy the 55-250 and give it a try
if your not happy with it resell it and you will probably lose 30-00 at the most
i have one and think its great for the money
 
Tinkie said:
I have the 55-250 and i am happy with it but i am a beginner.

Hope this helps,

Tracey
Click to expand...

Ditto :D

Thanks Tracey

BTW, the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens you bought from Kerso, for £349 was this used or new?

I've seen really cheap prices online from people like crazy cameras & simply electronics, but after doing a Google search I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole! :thumbsdown: :nono:

Thanks for the feedback everyone
 
CruisingComet said:
BTW, the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens you bought from Kerso, for £349 was this used or new?
Click to expand...

Hi

This will be a new lens price, he also does the 55-250 IS lens (not sure of his current price for that). Both lenses you are asking about are very good, If you decide to go for the 55-250IS I don't think you'd be disappointed and would easily sell it on should you wish to upgrade in the future. Good luck with your search, I don't think you'd be disappointed with either lens. :thumbs:
 
Sorry that I can't comment on the 70-300, but I've owned the 55-250 for about a year now and have so far been delighted with the performance. I use it for more "general" type shooting rather than anything specialist. I have it mounted on my 450D. For the money paid (about £185 I think), it's been excellent value for money.
 
I bought the
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM But I am returning it..
To me it seems cheap, its very light and has a good range.. But I'm not wowed by the images.. Also seems to make quite a bit of noise.. but i'm not sure if this a fault.. But overall after reading the reviews.. think i may have got my hopes up too much..

this is just personal opinion. I also wonder if my 450D doesn't do it much justice.. but its going back.. lol

oh and according to the manager in Jessops the extra reach is worth it.. but in my opinion i prefer better quality.. think i might try the 55-250mm..
 
I have the 70-300mm IS USM lens and for the money I paid am very happy with it.

It is slightly soft at the 300mm end but a bit of sharpening usually takes care of it.

If you want excellent sharpness then the 70-200 f4 L is the way to go - it definitely beats most other lenses in that focal range.

Don't forget you can get all these lenses S/H on here (watch the "For Sale" section) - I've personally bought 5 items in the last year on here and have been very happy with all purchases - and have saved about £800 as well!
 
nuttyhannah said:
what is the nifty fifty??
Click to expand...

The "Nifty Fifty" is the 50mm f1.8 prime lens - it's the cheapest lens Canon make and the best bargain of all - since image qualitywise it is almost the equivalent of the £1300 50mm f1.4L.

It is also extremely light and small and is also very good for Macro work if combined with extension tubes.

.
 
petersmart said:
The "Nifty Fifty" is the 50mm f1.8 prime lens - it's the cheapest lens Canon make and the best bargain of all - since image qualitywise it is almost the equivalent of the £1300 50mm f1.4L.

It is also extremely light and small and is also very good for Macro work if combined with extension tubes.

.
Click to expand...
could you use this lens for a jewelry shoot.. ?
what type of photography dp you use the nifty fifty for.. ?
 
I have never used the 55-250mm, but I have got the 70-300mm IS. It is a cracking lens, great optical quality and I wouldn't consider it heavy at all. I don't use mine very much now as I have other lenses that cover the same range, but I just can't bear to let it go because it is so good.
 
nuttyhannah said:
could you use this lens for a jewelry shoot.. ?
what type of photography dp you use the nifty fifty for.. ?
Click to expand...

I woud say quite definitely on the jewelry.

I often use it indoors to photograph my grand-nieces and nephews by ambient light and also outdoors if the light is getting bad and I don't need a zoom.

Also use it for macro shots when coupled with my Kenko DG AF extension tubes.

It's also excellent for portaits etc.
 
petersmart said:
If you want excellent sharpness then the 70-200 f4 L is the way to go - it definitely beats most other lenses in that focal range.
Click to expand...

Yeah that is a lens I would like, but it's just a touch short really, 200mm I find doesn't really get you where you want to be most of the time.

With regards the 70-300mm being soft at the 300 end, that's what I've read from a lot of reviews, most if not all have said however that the 55-250 is sharp at the 250 end which kinda makes me think its a better option, as I'd sooner be sharp at 250 than have to zoom back out on the 300 to get an equal quality image.

Anyway I have a few days to make my mind up, as I'm going for an operation tomorrow :help: and anyway like others have said I guess if I go with the cheaper 55-250 I can always sell it later if find it doesn't quite hit the spot for me :cool:

How would the 70-200 f4 L perform with a teleconverter / extender ? Guessing these would be pretty pricey? and no doubt would prob also degrade image slightly? Ideally I would like to get a reach between 400-500mm for some wildlife at some point in the future.
 
I had them both. I would go for the 55-250 and save a lot of money if you do not need the extra 50mm at the long end. I did not find the 70-300 to be sharper than the 55-250, it was better build though (and heavier!)
 
I havnt had a chance to come back here and respond as I've been recovering from my operation, but just incase you guys where interested
I eventually went for the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens

I was seriously tempted to go with the cheaper 55-250mm, but I most probably would have ended up regreting it in the forseable future, although
I realize it's a super lens, I really wanted that extra reach that hopefully the 300mm will give me :suspect:

I contacted Kerso like someone said, who I think gave me a pretty good deal and seems very helpful & polite, so here's hoping all goes well.



It was this review that finally swayed it for me: http://kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-300mm-is.htm​


Thanks All
 
Tinkie said:
I have just ordered my partner the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens from Kerso, a member here and a seller who is highly recommended by other members who have bought from him, for £349.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip Tracey... Ordered mine also for the same price, web prices I noticed seem to have increased and Kerso's price was about the best that I could see anywhere.

Out of interest, was / is your partner happy with his lens? Was worried they might be refurbished but Kerso assured me they are new, boxed and come with 1yr canon warranty so I guess you cant go wrong :cool:
 
I bought 2 lenses from Kerso (and so have hundreds of forum members) and they were both brand new with a full year's warranty so I would not worry :)

BTW good choice, you would have regretted it if you had bought the 55-250 and would want to sell it and get the 70-300 (that's what I did, before selling that as well for another lens, which I then changed, but now I am digressing ...) :lol:

Have fun with it and make sure you post some shots in the forum when you have used it :thumbs:
 
micloi said:
I bought 2 lenses from Kerso (and so have hundreds of forum members) and they were both brand new with a full year's warranty so I would not worry :)

BTW good choice, you would have regretted it if you had bought the 55-250 and would want to sell it and get the 70-300 (that's what I did, before selling that as well for another lens, which I then changed, but now I am digressing ...) :lol:

Have fun with it and make sure you post some shots in the forum when you have used it :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks... As you say, I also think I made the right choice with the lens and I must say I'm very impressed with the service Kerso has given me so far, very good price and speedy communications, but thanks for the reassurance.
 
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