Gear Review Canon 55-250mm 4.0-5.6 IS

[Deadeye008]

I have been looking to get a telephoto lens for the backcountry/hiking/fishing and finally settled on this lens after having read many online reviews and seeing pictures from the lens. I have the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS but it is huge and heavy so I rarely take it with me in the backcountry or even on day hikes. I ended up getting this lens new for $150. The lens, as expected from the price, is not built like a tank. It has a mostly plastic body and mount. This does mean that it is very light though. Tipping the scales at a mere 13.8oz. I have been really impressed by the images that this lens produces. See samples below. All of the samples have had zero editing and were shot at the maximum aperture. So if there is any softness with the lens wide open it would show up in these pictures. I also tested out the IS of the lens. The 3 pictures taking inside were shot at 250mm and 1/25 second shutter, hand held. As you can see, the images are crisp. The AF seems to be accurate. It is slower than the AF of my 70-200 but since I will be using this lens for mostly static objects it shouldn't make a big difference. I think I'm really going to like this lens and will get some great use out of it in the backcountry.


Canon 55-250 9 by Deadeye008, on Flickr


Canon 55-250 8 by Deadeye008, on Flickr


Canon 55-250 7 by Deadeye008, on Flickr


Canon 55-250 6 by Deadeye008, on Flickr


Canon 55-250 4 by Deadeye008, on Flickr


Canon 55-250 3 by Deadeye008, on Flickr


Canon 55-250 2 by Deadeye008, on Flickr


Canon 55-250 1 by Deadeye008, on Flickr

 

[Bob Palin]

Nice pictures and a good test. I have one too and am always surprised and pleased with the results.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

That's the longer lens I used on my XSi

 

[Nick]

Great review. I had this lens for a while but didn't end up using it much. Ended up replacing it with an 18-200 for the versatility. I'd say quality is probably better on yours though.