Lens help - EF 75-300mm or EF-S 55-250mm?

When I first joined the forum, I was told that the 75-300mm was a waste of money... Although I got it for an absolute bargain... Once again I was told you couldn't possibly get it at a bargain it's that bad.

However, everyone recommends the 55-250mm. I assume you have the standard kit lens, 18-55mm therefore the 55-250mm is a good lens to cover the range.

As for the difference in EF/EF-S, I am not entirely sure myself.
 
I have a ef 75-300mm lens and its great, got some superb shots with it already.

Its clear ggood photos it can produce.

IMG_1362.jpg

IMG_1502.jpg


Nothing wrong with that lens in my eyes, yeah not a £2k lens but does a good job for me, I do believe that alot of the time people can push too much emphasis on gear over ideas.
 
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Both will fit your camera fine.
As for which one, I would take the 55-250mm on three accounts

1) it has IS
2) it will compliment your kit lens of 18-55mm
3) optically better than the 75-300mm

The 75-300mm is an old lens and the one you have linked too is the older micro DC motor rather than the quieter USM motor.
Throughout the range it is a touch on the soft side when wide open, suffers from CA and also suffers from vignetting (maybe not as much though on a crop body).

To put it into perspective, I had a 75-300mm USM back when I had a 35mm SLR and the lens wasn't that good back then.
 
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Thanks for your help guys! I think I will go for the 55-250mm :D
 
Oh and while i'm here, can anybody recommend a camera bag? Needs to fit the camera.. couple of lenses.. Batteries.. Charger.

Thanks for your help!
 
Ross:) said:
Oh and while i'm here, can anybody recommend a camera bag? Needs to fit the camera.. couple of lenses.. Batteries.. Charger.

Thanks for your help!
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You have just opened a big can of worms... A lot of different views on bags, You after a Shoulder Bag or Backpack?

Im currently using a AmazonBasics Backpack and cannot fault it, apart from having to take the bag off my back to get the camera out etc..

Lowepro do some decent shoulder bags, come with a waterproof cover for them too, can always come in handy.

Here is the link for the backpack I have - http://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasic...E1WK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1343166327&sr=8-4
 
55-250 from me too. Long enough to be useful, not that big your poking people in the eye...
 
Hi,

EF / EF-S refers to the camera mount.

EF is compatible with both full frame and crop sensor Canon DSLR's and the focal lengths are designed with full frame in mind.

EF-S is designed for crop sensor DSLR's and are not compatible with full frame Canon DSLR's. The focal length are designed for crop sensors.

You have a crop sensor camera so could use the EF and EF-S lenses. If I were you I'd get the 55-250. Great lens, better optics than the 70-300 and also a bit more compact. I used to have one and loved it.

Hope this helps.
Ben
 
It's only the 75-300 MkIII with no IS and no USM that's the really bad version. It's got a micro motor, which is slower and louder than the USM, and the optics are very poor. I got this lens as part of my first kit, but once I'd realised how poor it was I put it on ebay and actually made a profit on it. It's the only lens I've ever had that didn't give me a keeper. The IS, USM version is much better, so I'm told, but I've got other, better (IMO) lenses now so I wont be getting another.
 
As above, go for the 55-250mm. I've also taken this route after the kit lens, and although I haven't had much time to play with it (only got it last week), I can tell its going to be a keeper. Its not amazing, but its much better than the 75-300mm from what I've heard.

As for a bag...depends what you're looking for. I have a Lowepro Nova 160 and its fantastic, I can fit my 18-55mm, 50mm and 55-250mm in it with some room left over for filters. Nice and compact too, even has its own little jacket :D
 
Sarky said:
As above, go for the 55-250mm. I've also taken this route after the kit lens, and although I haven't had much time to play with it (only got it last week), I can tell its going to be a keeper. Its not amazing, but its much better than the 75-300mm from what I've heard.

As for a bag...depends what you're looking for. I have a Lowepro Nova 160 and its fantastic, I can fit my 18-55mm, 50mm and 55-250mm in it with some room left over for filters. Nice and compact too, even has its own little jacket :D
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this name sounds familiar......... :) nice to see you on here sarky.

the 75-300 doesn't have IS, you will want IS for telephoto lenses. the Canon 55-250 is brilliant, get it.
 
wuyanxu said:
this name sounds familiar......... :) nice to see you on here sarky.

the 75-300 doesn't have IS, you will want IS for telephoto lenses. the Canon 55-250 is brilliant, get it.
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Thanks mate, signed up a while back but since getting my 550D I thought I'd start posting a bit!

Forgot to mention IS, it can make the world of difference in some shots!
 
Ross:) said:
I have a Canon 600D. I assume both of these will fit my camera, my question is, which one is better. What's the difference between EF and EF-S?

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III Lens
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom AF Lens for Selected Digital SLR


Thanks
Ross
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Hi Ross,
I also have the 600D, I bought the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM which I believe is the later model that replaced the 55-300mm, I went for it because it zooms to 300 which I find useful. Pleased with it, although with the IS and USM it's rather heavy!

Willow by Primrose_girl, on Flickr
 
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