BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I have a Canon EOS Rebel T2i with a 18-55 macro EFS kit lens. I confiscated it from my son after he took a college photography class and parked the camera in the corner afterwards. So I'm trying to learn how to do more than point-and-shoot photos, even taking an online course. It's fine for most of what I do but I'd like to add some telephoto for the occasional times I wish I were closer. My budget is limited so I want to get a lens that's good enough. I found a refurb one that's around $200 from B&H.

Here's a pic I took on a trip last year to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in ND. There are horses up on the ridge but I really would have liked to get closer original size pics. Second pic is after I cropped it using Windows Picture Tools. Would this 55-250 give me a close enough pic of the horses or do I need a stronger one? Obviously, a tripod is needed, too. I have a fairly sturdy one but it's showing its age.
Pic taken with auto settings: 1/200 sec. f/9 27mm, ISO 100

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Those horses are too far away for any lens to get a decent closeup. You need to know your camera and lenses limitations. Even my 500mm f/4 lens couldn't get a good closeup of those horses.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

A friend of mine was considering the Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens. At his request I posted a recent inquiry among UHH members regarding the lens. Photonovo, you should be able to search for that topic or under my name to read the entire thread of responses. The bottom line concensus was strongly positive (but don't take my word, read the whole topic). Attached are two recent photos my friend took in Aspen after buying the lens.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Thanks, jeep daddy. I guess I should go rent a telephoto at the camera store and see what the smaller telephotos can do for me. I really want to be judicious on what I buy for my new toy as I learn more and more. Buffalo are more cooperative - they come up way too close, but the wild horses stay far away and I'm a road warrior, not a trail warrior.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

The 55-250 (make sure you get STM version) is a very good lens and will fill out your kit (18-250 range). Check out the Canon refurb store.

wasphawk71

I find it to be a good all around lens, but for that distance close up you're talking like 600 -1300mm. It would be a pretty big lens and only have manual focus. Most likely it would need and adapter ring as well.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

If you are looking for reach and don't plan on printing large prints, or just want digital images, consider a bridge camera like a Canon SX series. They have large zoom ranges.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Well, my consensus is that I'll look for the 55-200 STM version lens and forget about becoming a world-renowned wildlife photographer. From my reading there are so many reasons to have a telephoto other than impossibly far off shots, and I need to pick up a wide angle, too. Any prints I do will be for me and family . Most will just stay digital. I really should get a good print of some of my best to see what they look like on paper. Meanwhile I'll be trolling this forum frequently for tips and to see what's possible.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

If you get the 10-18 STM and the 55-250 STM you will have an excellent lightweight kit.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Thanks. It is unlikely I will ever buy another camera, but I'd like to at least have the basics. I'll look for the 10-18 STM, too and then get busy experimenting. Gee, just what I need, another expensive hobby!