| Brand: | Canon | ||
| Average Rating |
|
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. more info
Popularity: 1% [?]
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Great value
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
For the price you pay for this lens, it is well worth it. It takes great pictures, and the construction is good. The image stabilizer, is a wonderful feature and works very well. This is not a lens for the professional photographer. It is built for amateurs like myself. Photography is a hobby for me. I don’t do it for my job. I have nicer lenses. But for the money, this is a great deal.
A solid choice for a mid zoom
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
First this is a cheap kit lens, but you get value as far as price performance goes. It is the natural choice to complement the kit 18/55mm IS .The professional evaluations that I’ve read ( and I read alot of them) give it high marks for a tele zoom between f8 to f22. The reviewers do get anal9 read critical) in their comments relative to lower f stops and at the extreme ranges of the zoom.
I do not baby my gear and just got back from 14 days in utah hiking and this lens held up fine while strapped into my back pack. The images were certainly acceptable to my eyes.I am sure if I had the $1000 lens I would think differently. Yes there are better lens both in built quality and optically at bocoo bucks.
This lens complements the kit 18/55mm. My image stabilizer broke in the 18/55mm IS lens. I speculate it will also break relatively soon in this lens but for now it works and works well. Nothing beats it optically in a zoom in this price range.
In conclusion: marginal built quality, good optical results at a bargin price relatively speaking(hey I’m scotish and $250 is still a lot of money lads and lassies).
New Owner
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I purchased my first Canon digital camera and was surprised to learn how easy it was to use the camera.Then someone mention a telephoto lens for some closer and better shots and I purchased a Canon EF-S 55-250mm and they where right.I am happy about my purchase and more than pleased with my purchased.
Excellent value for money, IS works very well, but not very sharp
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The Image Stabilization feature in this lens is most useful when you are trying to capture shots without using a tripod. At zoom lengths of 250mm (35mm equivalent 400mm) the IS feature allows you to take shots that would be too shaky without a tripod. You gain 2 or 3 f-stops with IS.
In bright light the quality of the images taken is very, very good, even at the max end of the lens. With a little post-processing the images can be made even sharper.
At the price, this is excellent value for money, and provides a handy companion to your regular lens.
However…
- The lens is not as sharp as you would like. Sort of expected in a lens that is not the Canon ‘L’ series, unlike, say, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, or the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.
- The build quality does not inspire a huge amount of confidence. If you take good care of the lens, and keep it in a bag when not in use, and do not go about knocking it against hard objects or dropping it, the build quality should not be a problem.
- This is an EF-S lens, so if at some point in the future Canon switches to full-frame sensors and the dSLR bodies stop accepting EF-S lenses, this lens could well become obsolete. As of now it does not look like the EF lenses are going away, so this is not as big a concern, for several years hopefully.
- No USM (Ultrasonic motor), so the time to focus can be slow, especially if the lens has to hunt.
Eghreat lens for the price
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This lens, has for the most part met all my expectations. It’s a great medium range zoom lens and is sharp throughout the zoom ranges. I use this lens a lot for sunrise/sunset photos and is extremely fast in low light situations. I also use the lens for nightime astrophotography and find the optics to be clear and sharp for taking images of the moon and constellations. Auto focus is quick and precise and doesn’t have to hunt around a lot. I’ve really not had the oportunity to use the Image Stabilization feature because the lens is always mounted on a tripod. It is a much heavier lens than I am use to and will need to purchase a heavier duty tripod, but that was expected. Overall ,I am vey pleased with my purchase.
Telephoto lens for a good price
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I purchased this lens, Canon EF-S 55-250 f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom lens due to its stabilization. I also have a Canon f/4.0 70-210 Telephoto Zoom lens I have had for 20 years but I have had difficulty at higher zooms in holding it anywhere near steady enough. I have only had the new lens for 2 months and have found it to be excellent at low to mid range shots but a little soft (as indicated in other reviews) at high zoom (200-250). But the stabilization has been great.
I am strictly a novice but I consider it to be a reasonable buy, even with the lens I already owned. My older lens is better on a tripod I think because it is f/4.0 for all ranges. As I am semi-retired I don’t have a lot of spare cash but this was still a good deal. If you need a lens for this range and can’t afford $600 I would recommend the Canon EF-S 55-250 IS wholeheartedly.
On a sadder note, I was photographing my brother-in-law sawing wood. I changed lenses and did not put away my 55-250. Naturally it fell off a 4 foot table onto the concrete floor. I had a rubber lens hood on it and it has apparently protected the lens. The hood completely folded even with the lens edge but I can find no scratches (I did have a protective filter on it). Pictures at all ranges appear to be fine. Strong recommendation — buy a hood!! Also I have to remove the wood dust from the lens before I really use it again. Really dumb.
excellent
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
love the zoom and IS on this lens, goes well with the 18-55 kit lens that you get
Can’t beat the price
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The lense is a good starter lens for a beginner. The price is well affordable and the quality of the lens is solid.
Great telephoto lens with super sharp photos
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought this lens for its sharpness and zoom length as well as its image stabilization. I had originally purchased this Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras to be on a budget but quickly realized that it wasn’t good enough. This lens is super sharp in every test I did both zoomed and up close. The lens has a fast AF and the Image stabilization really makes a difference!
Pros:
Super sharp photos
Fast AF
Price not bad
Cons:
I couldn’t think of any
Good Quality Lens for the Price
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I am an amateur photographer with a Canon Rebel XS camera. Prior to receiving this lens I was using the kit lens 18-55mm. This lens offers great zoom range with the added bonus of image stabilization, while not perfect it produces sharp clean images even at the telephoto end of the zoom. So for the amount you pay, this lens offers great images. As I have said before I am not a professional photographer, I dabble in digital photography. This lens suits my needs perfectly. If you are a professional or aspiring photographer, this lens might not suit your needs as well.
OMG!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Maybe I just got lucky, but I LOVE this lens! Yes, it is plastic (which can be a good thing, since it’s lighter and smaller than comparable zooms). And come on, I only paid $250!
The images from this lens are tack sharp with bokeh that is pleasing to the eye, though not as smooth and buttery as some would like. For me, this is fine, as a bit of post-processing can help if needed.
In most lighting (even in the dark!) this lens focuses relatively quickly compared to the Canon 18-200mm lens I’m replacing. The only time I found it slow to focus is in very low light, low contrast scenes, with the lens zoomed past 200mm. However, that is an issue with many zoom lenses in this price range (and higher). IS works well and is pretty quiet. Zooming/focusing is smooth with no lens creep whatsoever. Oh, and it doesn’t drain my battery too quickly, like some competitors’ zoom lenses.
Also, I see NO evidence of fringing in 99% of the high-contrast photos taken with this lens on my 50D. In the small number of pictures that display fringing, it is minimal and of a neutral color, NOT purple. Overall, I’m very impressed with the functionality, ease of use and picture quality for the price paid. This lens is a big winner for me and will find a happy home alongside the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and Canon 10-22mm wide angle.
After trying some very positively reviewed lenses from Tamron and Sigma, I’ve decided no one knows Canon cameras like Canon. I doubt I’ll buy another lens from any other company in the future. Go Canon!!!
Great starter lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
We purchased this lens to take on our honeymoon to Tanzania. We had a few options but chose this one because it would work best with our Rebel camera. We thought that the 55-250 lens was perfect for catching great shots of the wildlife while out on Safari. The IS option was what was great to prevent shaky pictures. We are new to the world of digital SLR cameras but this lens was easy to use, change and learn about. Definitely comes highly recommended by us. We took over 1300 pictures with it in 2 weeks!
Good lens for the money
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Some reviews seem to knock this lens because it’s not heavy duty and pro level. I used it to photograph wildlife in National Parks and found it worked quite well. When you are packing it for miles into the back country you appreciate the light weight.
It works!!!!
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I’ve had this lens for more than a year. With it’s price, I didn’t expect much from it. Decent lens, light, well enough build. It doesn’t produce the sharpest images. But I got a lot of good pictures from it. One thing that bother me the most is the color is off even on a nice sunny day.
Overall, it’s a good lens to start. But I’m ready to get a better one.
A simple addition
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I am very pleased with the new Canon EF-S 250 Telephoto Zoom lens for my Digital SLR. It adjusts itself, attaches easily, and provides a wide range of options. This is the first time I have used a telephoto lens. It presents as easy to use and works with the camera’s settings nicely. Now I am looking forward to a New England trip to catch the leaves changing. You would need to have a slightly bigger camera bag as the standard case only carries the lens that came with the camera. Amazon has some nice options for Canon cases that work with this lens and the standard lens.