Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens

BIGEYE

BIGEYE

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,205
Name
Jim
Edit My Images
Yes
Anybody advise if this lens is good? Considering this for walkabouts along with a wide angle. I am looking at this lens against a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens, I know they are in different leagues, but cost is an important factor and I already have the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens.
 
BIGEYE said:
Anybody advise if this lens is good? Considering this for walkabouts along with a wide angle. I am looking at this lens against a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens, I know they are in different leagues, but cost is an important factor and I already have the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens.
Click to expand...

For the money the 55-250IS is a cracker of a lens. Not sure you can really compare to the F4 IS, because as you say they are in different leagues - they are 2 different lenses altogether.

Suppose it comes down to cost and what you can afford / want to spend.

Have you thought about the NON IS F4 lens as an alternative if you can manage without IS ??
 
For a walk about the 55-250mm would be alot handier handling wise, the IQ is good but some way off the L. The constant F4 is also great to have over the 55-250mm.
 
It would make a good companion to the 100-400.

Much, much smaller and lighter.
 
I think I have finally decided, with my budget I am going to go for (maybe):
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens and Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Lens.
Good choices or anything else?
 
Any reason for the Tokina over the Sigma/Canon ultra wide angles?

Also what budget do you have?
 
Just about at the top of my budget. Chose Tokina based on the review in January 2010 Photoplus mag. The Tokina came out on top with 92%, the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM scored 85%, Sigma 10-22mm f/3.5 Ex DC HSM 84% and the Sigma 10-22mm f/4-5.6 Ex DC HSM came out with 88% on tests.
The same mag February 2011 scored the following:
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM 88%
Sigma 10-22mm f/3.5 Ex DC HSM 87%
The Tokina & Sigma 10-22mm f/4-5.6 Ex DC HSM were not tested.
 
I have no experience with the Tokina and have no doubt it's a good perfomer but the zoom range is pretty small (probably why it's a good perfomer), if that's not an issue I see no reason to go for it. One thing I will say is that 16-55mm is a big range to miss out on for a general lens.
 
Last edited:
I already have a Sigma 17-70 mm f2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
 
The Tokina, by all accounts is a great lens. I spent months deciding on which UWA to go for.

I eventually opted for the Canon. It was a very close call but I went for what I saw as the overall better lens for my requirements.

Image quality:Canon/Tokina
Glare/Flare:Canon
Distortion:Canon
MFD:Canon/Sigma
FTM:Canon/Sigma
USM:Canon/Sigma
Cost:Sigma
Aperture:Tokina
Extras(hood,pouch):Tokina/Sigma
Range:Canon
Build:Sigma/Tokina

That above list is from memory, but I can try and track down any resources to back that up. Or if any other contributors have their say in agreement or otherwise.

One thing that has changed my mind since owing the lens is that aperture is less important and range is more important - I went into the decision favouring aperture overall so have changed my mind since using it. Of course I would still favour aperture on every other lens.


Andy
 
Also, if you were buying two lenses from the ranges mentioned. Stretching your budget for a 70-200F4L (non IS) and Sigma 10-20 f4-f5.6 might be a better overall package??
 
I couldn't justify the 70-200F4L (non IS) as I already had this lens and sold it to help fund my 100-400L IS. So I have a dilemma, the EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens and an UWA (Canon/Tokina/Sigma) or the 70-200F4L IS.
 
BIGEYE said:
I couldn't justify the 70-200F4L (non IS) as I already had this lens and sold it to help fund my 100-400L IS. So I have a dilemma, the EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens and an UWA (Canon/Tokina/Sigma) or the 70-200F4L IS.
Click to expand...

Do you mean 55-250 and UWA? Otherwise it's a bit of a no brainer :lol:
 
Yes, I buy both the 55-250 and the UWA or the 70-200F4L IS
 
What would you guys here go for from 2 options? Options are:

1. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens and an UWA either the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Lens or Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

2. Or the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
 
Which would suit you more? Will you want the UWA for street photography as well, as this lens is more of a creative lens. What else will you be shooting?
 
I do some lanscapes but my 17-70 has got me by, also inside buildings/churches occassionally. Maybe the UWA is a want more than a need, I don't know if I would use it much to justify the cost.
 
I had this lens when I had a Canon 40D. All I did was a little bit of sharpening and increased the contrast, and the pictures turned out very good. I would recommend this lens to a friend.
 
The 55-250 IS is an excellent budget lens and would serve you well. The IS works very well at the telephoto end. It has a UD element too to for better contrast and low CA

The 70-200 has clearly better sharpness and contrast but at a price, IS or no IS
 
Tricky. With the UWA as well you could cover any length from 10 or 11mm right up to 250mm.

Or you could cover 17-200 but in higher quality.
How often do you wish your 17-70 was wider?
 
Went for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens, bought SH on here. Thanks guys for your help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top