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EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
This telephoto zoom lens is designed with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology while retaining compactness and lightness, in response to demands of photographers. This high zoom ratio lens is equivalent to a focal length of 88-400mm in the 35mm format (when used on Canon EOS cameras compatible with EF-S lenses), and the image stabilizer effect equivalent to a shutter speed about 4 stops faster than the same size lens without Image Stabilizer. In other words, if the slowest shutter speed you could formerly hold a 250mm lens steadily was 1/250th of a second, with Canon's 4-stop stabilization correction, you could hand-hold at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15th of a second. It also uses a UD-glass lens element to correct chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range. This new EF-S telephoto lens with great features delivers excellent performance at an affordable price for all photographers.
MTF Chart:
Average Customer Rating:
4.4
out of 5
18 out of 20(90%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Review 1 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
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Features
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Performance
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Price/Value
4
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
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Nickname: BrotherLeroy
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: Yes
Glad I Bought It
Date: February 13, 2010
Pros: Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: some focusing confusion
This lens rocks! I had it since April 2009 and it helps me a lot, especially in sports and nature shootings. My only issue is in the autofocus which sometimes creates problems in depth-of-field. Otherwise, I love every moment if it when it is being used. Highly recommended!
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
3
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5
Performance
5
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
4
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: FearlessAce
Location: Arlington, TX
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Excellent!!
Date: January 16, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, manual focus easier than most in this range.
I'm an advanced hobbyist that had been using the standard kit lens for ages (ages being a about 6 years). A few months ago I got this lens bundled with the T1i, and absolutely love it. I love it not just for the quality and such, but specifically for the beautiful depth of field you can accomplish with such ease with this lens. Using it in conjunction with the T1i's HD Video function, and people will think you're using a multi-thousand-dollar cinematic camera. I have many "HD" video cameras, and none of them look nearly as good as the footage shot through this lens. The depth of field is really breathtaking for a lens in this price range, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to ANYONE looking for an inexpensive lens that can really keep up your spark for shooting.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
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5
Performance
4
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5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
3
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Planespotter44
Location: Los Angeles
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: No
You Get What You Pay For
Date: January 3, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, great sharpness for the price
Cons: Poor build quality
This was my first Canon Lens, and I bought it with my Digital Rebel XSi. I do mostly aviation and nature photography, so I needed a good telephoto lens, but given that I had just bought the camera, I was quickly approaching my budget. So, in the search for a relatively good telephoto zoom lens, I found the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. The reviews were surprisingly good, and the price was good too. I bought it and was not dissapointed. It was quick and sharp. The images came out very clear. The autofocus was great even in low light conditions. There were a few cons though, and these included the poor build quality. The lens is plastic. And though it operates great, it feels kind of like a toy. So I am always a little careful with this lens. Also, the image quality starts to suffer around the 200-250mm mark. But this is a budget lens, not a L series. So all in all its a great budget and starter lens for the price, but you get what you pay for, and it is just short of exceptional. But don't expect L series image quality at 250mm.
21 of 21 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
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5
Features
3
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5
Performance
5
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
3
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Satisfaction
4
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Nickname: shootreadyaim
Location: pennsylviania
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Product replacement: No
nice nice very nice
Date: December 23, 2009
Pros: suprisingly durable
this complements the kit normal zoom very well and image quality is very good for price.
This lens worked flawlessly for a month in the desert south west. while it is cheaply made ie plastic it held up to a month in a back pack
its nice it is the same circumfrence ans the kit normal lens so you save on filtersspeaking of which since the barrell moves with the focus function using polorizers and gradated neutral dessity filters is a time consuming pain to use bush league actually since these filters should be considered essential for all photog use,
This lens worked flawlessly for a month in the desert south west. while it is cheaply made ie plastic it held up to a month in a back pack
its nice it is the same circumfrence ans the kit normal lens so you save on filtersspeaking of which since the barrell moves with the focus function using polorizers and gradated neutral dessity filters is a time consuming pain to use bush league actually since these filters should be considered essential for all photog use,
7 of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
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5
Performance
5
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5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
4
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: jbird
Location: Oregon
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Great
Date: December 14, 2009
Pros: Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: Slow auto-focus
I am not a pro but with this lens I won a photo contest for the first. I am still learning my rebel XSI digital camera which I love. Also the price on the lens is very good
Thank you Canon.
Thank you Canon.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
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5
Performance
5
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5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
4
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: IntegRob
Location: Daytona, FL
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
For the $, you can't beat the quality!
Date: October 2, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Fast auto-focus
Sure, this lens is not pro quality. But then again, you are not paying a pro quality price eather. Personally, I love this lens. I have a Canon Rebel t1i that I use this lens with and I will tell you, this lens gives me more than I expected. I get excelent pictures with this lens. Photography is my hobby that I am very passionate about. And I do put a lot of $ into it. (I have a Pixma Pro 9500 Mark II that I develop my pictures with. So I am not a cheep guy.) I have a lot better built and more expensive lenses. This one is my favorite. It is light and gives me the shots I am looking for. The construction is were they went light to get the price so low. However, if you take care of your equiptment like I do, it will last a long time.
128 of 131 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
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5
Performance
4
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
4
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: PetePataPalo
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Best Value Lens
Date: September 23, 2009
I bought this lens and used it for many months now. I used to have the old 70-300 IS and a couple weeks ago I moved up to a L series 70-200 so now I can compare. Obviously de 70-200 is a superior lens, but the 55-250 is a GREAT lens for its price. Autofocusing is not slow but nothing I can complain, better than the 70-300 I would say. The IS is a great feature that will compensate somehow the fact of the smaller aperture. Compared to a non IS lens, you can use longer exposure times that will compensate for at least 2 F stops.
Also the new IS technology compared to the old 2 mode seems better, more responsive, quieter and easier for me that love to shoot motorsports.
Image quality is very good, but not impressive, a little more sharpness would be great.
Colors are very good too.
Build quality might seem worst than it is. I dropped it from about 1.5 ft once and no damage to case or photo quality.
Also the new IS technology compared to the old 2 mode seems better, more responsive, quieter and easier for me that love to shoot motorsports.
Image quality is very good, but not impressive, a little more sharpness would be great.
Colors are very good too.
Build quality might seem worst than it is. I dropped it from about 1.5 ft once and no damage to case or photo quality.
A great overall lens. A "must have" if you can't afford L series and want a good all arounder.
a killer combination if you also have the popular 18-55
a killer combination if you also have the popular 18-55
67 of 67 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
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Performance
2
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Price/Value
3
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Quality
3
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Satisfaction
1
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Nickname: Anonymous
Location: UK and Colorado
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Casual User
Product replacement: Yes
poor focusing on longer length
Date: September 17, 2009
Cons: Slow auto-focus, requres two focus efforts
I did not realize this lens needs double focusing, and without excellent eye sight, many of my pictures on vacation a all blurred. Apparently the larger adjustment adjust only some distance out, then you must use the outer adjustment riing to top off the focusing beyond that. Not happy with the need to double focus. .
23 of 63 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
4
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: JB
Location: Dallas
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Nice Lens
Date: June 25, 2009
This is one nice lens if you're not a snob. One camera shop I deal with turned up there collective noses at this one. Went to another shop and picked one up. Not disappointed so far. Yes, the camera connection is plastic. OH NO! So if it last a few years, I'll be happy.
No, it's not one of those pricey white lenses. But it works for me so far.
Yes, I will buy the 70-200 2.8L. But later. I'm still enjoying this one.
We are traveling to Europe this summer. Which one would I take a chance on losing or breaking in transit? My pix will be just fine.
No, it's not one of those pricey white lenses. But it works for me so far.
Yes, I will buy the 70-200 2.8L. But later. I'm still enjoying this one.
We are traveling to Europe this summer. Which one would I take a chance on losing or breaking in transit? My pix will be just fine.
81 of 86 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
4
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Satisfaction
4
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Nickname: wyoming
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: No
great step-up lens
Date: May 3, 2009
Pros: good in low light
Cons: colors distort at 250mm
This lens has a great range and the IS works well. My only problem is that the colors at 250mm do get a little distorted, but not horrible. The auto-focus sometimes struggles with closer subjects. Does well in low light.
30 of 31 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
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5
Price/Value
4
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: luisman
Location: Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Excelent product
Date: April 6, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Fast auto-focus, easy to use
I received the lens yesterday and have been testing it in all the ways I can imagine.
The auto-focus works great, it's fast and accurate. The sharpness is outstanding, got super sharp images at very low speeds. I compared the images against a lens without the Image Stabilizer and the difference is incredible . I was holding the camera very carefully while using the lens without the IS and then I took the same picture with IS and holding the camera with shaking hands intentionally. The pictures with IS were much better, awesome feature. The zoom is perfect for mid ranged shoots, I guess I will need a larger one for shooting further objectives.
I made some moon pictures too, the full zoom deployed covered an area of a bit more than 3 x 4,5 degrees of sky. The moon appeared a bit small in the pictures but after processing the images they turn to be very good, with the main craters very sharp and with good contrast. I will keep making astronomical pictures with this product, I don't doubt there will be great satisfactions with deep space objects and long exposure pictures.
The body of the zoom is light weighted, I was very surprised by this because at first I thought it could be something to distrust but the quality is not affected by it and it's even a good thing since it's easier to handle it.
It can't be easier to use it, there is no need to learn, just point and shot.
All tests done with a EOS Digital Rebel XTi.
88 of 89 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
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5
Performance
5
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5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: tdogg
Location: Panama City, Fl
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Great Buy
Date: March 31, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Fast auto-focus, light weight
This lens is great for action shots.
My Airshow photo are sharp and clean. The auto-focus worked great with each shot.
My Airshow photo are sharp and clean. The auto-focus worked great with each shot.
24 of 24 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: digiman
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
great lens
Date: March 23, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Fast auto-focus, acceptable close focusing distance
I just got this lens today and am very impressed with the sharpness and contrast. I really wasn't expecting the quality of the images I have gotten from it. It focuses quickly and feels better made than I had expected. My only disappointment about it is not being able to use my 2x converter with it.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Tuna
Location: Gettysburg, Pa
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Great Upgrade
Date: February 14, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Fast auto-focus, better with flash / low light than imagined
Cons: a little bulky
Needed lens for long shots, outdoor, some action. Very easy to use - extremely intuitive - super fast focus/wonderful detail. Exceeds expecatations.
22 of 24 people found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: jbird
Location: Oregon
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Best lens for the price
Date: February 11, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
I have a rebel XSI and called Canon about the right lens for this camera, the tech highly recommended this lens. I was not disappointed at all. This is a great lens.
27 of 33 people found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
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5
Quality
5
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5
Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: solocomputerservices
Location: Raleigh, NC
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Great Lens with Fast Performance
Date: February 4, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, solid in hand
I received this lens as a Christmas present for my photography work for web sites. I have used this lens a lot and it performs great. Images are very sharp, color representation is great and the zoom is fantastic. I do not particularly care for the image stabilization, but I am very very happy with this wonderful lens.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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5
Quality
5
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5
Satisfaction
5
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5
Nickname: Dave
Location: Honolulu, HI
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: No
Great lens for the Rebel XSI
Date: January 28, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Fast auto-focus
I purchased this lens online about a month ago and it's been great. The autofocus and Image stabilizer work very well and the pictures have come out very clear and crisp. It complements the Rebel XSI w/ 18-55 mm lens very well. The EF-S lenses are specificially designed for cameras with the smaller sensors, so if you have a camera with a full frame sensor, you may want to stick with the EF lenses only.
33 of 33 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Nickname: nump
Location: Bristow, Ok.
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Ya get what ya pay for
Date: December 13, 2008
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, canon quality
No, its not an "L" series lens, so it wouldnt be fair to compare it to one. Lets do it any way, dollar for dollar the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS blows away any "L" lens. Sharpness, contrast, overall quality sure the "L" lens is far superior, but look how much extra you have to pay to get that. Long story short. For 4 times the price, the "L" isnt four times the lens!!!!!!!!!!
98 of 101 people found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Nickname: zoozoozoozoozooman
Location: California
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
cheap, plasticky, but SHARP and IS!
Date: November 27, 2008
Pros: Super-sharp images
Cons: Poor build quality, Slow auto-focus, no usm
Yes, it's plasticky and cheap in terms of ergonomics and construction quality. No USM motor, and autofocus is slower than I'd like (this only really matters on the longer end of the 250mm zoom.)
But optically, this lens is excellent -- it's sharp at both ends of the zoom. I used to have the 70-200mm F4 L (non-IS), and I can safely say this cheap zoom (55-250) matches or exceeds the F4's sharpness. (Note, I'm talking about the older non-IS 70-200mm F4, not the newer IS version.)
The 55-250 has superior zoom-range, but inferior autofocus. On my Rebel XSi, it's not very good at focus-tracking moving subjects, and it does tend to hunt/wander in low-light (especially at the 250mm end.) Perhaps on a more expensive body (like the 40D/50D), it would autofocus better.
In summary, the optical performance is solid, daresay excellent for the price. (It goes well with the 18-55mm F4-5.6 IS) If it breaks because of the cheap build quality, just buy another...
69 of 72 people found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Nickname: qrsau
Not bad not best
Date: November 12, 2008
Cons: Semi-sharp images, Poor build quality, Slow auto-focus
The lens unfortunately is not enough for bird or lunar photos at all, at the 250mm end the Canon's precise image quality can not be obtained although the lens used with the super Canon 40D! As you know the 40D is made with super quality components even better than its predecessors. We use 40D for example, with other brand lenses for astrophotography easily.
52 of 144 people found this review helpful.
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