Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS - Anyone tried this lens?

[lostkat]

I'm seriously considering getting a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. I don't currently have a telephoto zoom and although I would dearly love a 70-200L, I can't see me being able to afford one at any point in the near (or far ) future.

I've had a good look around at what's available and trawled the review sites. This lens gets incredibly good reviews for what is essentially a pretty cheap lens and I can get it brand new from a trusted source for <£200.

I was just wondering if anyone has actually tried this lens and if so, what were their thoughts?

[Mark]

Davey_Pitch had one and seemed happy with it.

It's kit lens quality built to the same 'standard' as the 18-55 IS (i.e. plastic and with a somewhat delicate focus ring). Obviously as an entry-level lens it's nothing spectacular but plenty good enough at least for occasional use (which seems like a good fit given you've gone this long without one ).

Both the 70-200L and 70-300 rate higher (the former consistently so, the latter less convincingly), but they also both cost considerably more.

[lostkat]

Yep, well aware of build quality and low level light performance since I've read the reviews extensively. I was looking for someone who actually owned one to give me their opintion, so I'll PM Davy. Not sure I agree with the "nothing spectacular" comment, since it rates massively higher than anything else in it's price range. L glass it ain't, but at a quarter of the price, I wouldn't expect it to be.

Anyway, I've had a read of lots of peoples' experiences with this lens on TP and decided to go for it.

[Mark]

Yeah, all fair enough and perhaps a bad choice of words. Hope you enjoy it.

[Kitten]

I used it for those Christening pics last year Kate, in incredibly low light (in a church) and then in blazing sunshine outside and it took some cracking shots. Don't think the build quality was bad at all to be honest, but then If I'm honest I don't tend to look at how it looks as long as it feels and functions well.

The pics are in my facebook albums (Sam's Christening) if you want to look them, but any bad points are more likely down to me & my nerves not the lens.

I did try to buy one but SOMEONE sold it to a stranger instead

[Mark]

Subtle!

[lostkat]

Originally Posted by Kitten

I used it for those Christening pics last year Kate, in incredibly low light (in a church) and then in blazing sunshine outside and it took some cracking shots. Don't think the build quality was bad at all to be honest, but then If I'm honest I don't tend to look at how it looks as long as it feels and functions well.

The pics are in my facebook albums (Sam's Christening) if you want to look them, but any bad points are more likely down to me & my nerves not the lens.

I did try to buy one but SOMEONE sold it to a stranger instead

Thanks Tracy.

I feel the same about build quality. My nifty fifty is a treasured possession!

I'm also suprised and pleased that it performed alright indoors. Won't use it much in low light, but it's nice to know that it can do the job.

Bloody hate waiting for new toys to arrive *drums fingers*

[Jonny69]

Cool, I'm interested to see how you get on because this is right in my price range too

How come they are only about £149 delivered on eBay? Should I be wary?

[lostkat]

They're refurbs from Canon. Shouldn't be anything wrong with them, but I wanted a new one. There are also some "white box" ones, which have been removed from a camera bundle, but I wasn't convinced about the warranty and read a couple of moany threads about them so I avoided.

[Kitten]

This was from around 30ft away (iirc) and you can see that it's not too bright, but it did the job