Lens decision for Canon: Hey, Folks Got a lens choice decision to make. I'm thinking about getting a Canon T5. There's a choice of lenses. Either a 55-250mm or a 75-300mm. It seems...

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Hey, Folks
Got a lens choice decision to make. I'm thinking about getting a Canon T5. There's a choice of lenses. Either a 55-250mm or a 75-300mm. It seems there's a gap if I go with the 75-300. 55-75mm range is not covered. I really like my 30X zoom on my Canon SX30i PowerShot ,but will I miss that much zoom capability with a 55-250mm SLR lens? Or would the 75-300mm be better?

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

TomC. wrote:

Hey, Folks
Got a lens choice decision to make. I'm thinking about getting a Canon T5. There's a choice of lenses. Either a 55-250mm or a 75-300mm. It seems there's a gap if I go with the 75-300. 55-75mm range is not covered. I really like my 30X zoom on my Canon SX30i PowerShot ,but will I miss that much zoom capability with a 55-250mm SLR lens? Or would the 75-300mm be better?

Depends on what you plan to shoot. For general use I would start out with the 55-250 lens. It gives good quality results and covers a useful range. Pair it with an 18-55 and you have a nice basic set up. If the 18-135 is an option then that would probably be even more useful. What do you plan to shoot?

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

TomC. wrote:

Hey, Folks
Got a lens choice decision to make. I'm thinking about getting a Canon T5. There's a choice of lenses. Either a 55-250mm or a 75-300mm. It seems there's a gap if I go with the 75-300. 55-75mm range is not covered. I really like my 30X zoom on my Canon SX30i PowerShot ,but will I miss that much zoom capability with a 55-250mm SLR lens? Or would the 75-300mm be better?

There is not a big difference between 250mm and 300mm. Your SX30is is about the 35mm equivalent of an 840mm lens. The 300mm would be similar to a 480mm on the crop frame T5. You will not have near the telephoto reach on the new system. I have had both of the lens you mentioned and preferred the 55-250mm over the 75-300mm. The Canon 70-300mm IS USM is a better lens than the other two. I would not be too concerned about the 55-70mm gap in coverage- it isn't very much and you can usually make up for it by taking a few steps.

You probably notice that the T5 has much better image quality than the SX30.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Thanks for your input. I'll probably go for the 75-300mm

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Your input has been very helpful. I think I'll go for the 75-300mm lens.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

TomC. wrote:

Your input has been very helpful. I think I'll go for the 75-300mm lens.

The only specific piece of advice addressing your lens question regarding length advised against going this way.
If you weren't going to listen to the advice given here, what was the point in asking?

Burt Hollen Loc: King of Prussia, Pa

I had the 15-85 and loved it.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

LFingar wrote:

Depends on what you plan to shoot. For general use I would start out with the 55-250 lens. It gives good quality results and covers a useful range. Pair it with an 18-55 and you have a nice basic set up. If the 18-135 is an option then that would probably be even more useful. What do you plan to shoot?

I generally shoot anything from close up to landscape. I really don't "specialize" in any one genre.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Burt Hollen wrote:

I had the 15-85 and loved it.

I'm basically looking at what's offered in a bundle. Most offer the 18-55mm along with either a 55-250mm or a 75-300mm for not much of a price difference.
Thanks for your input. Maybe in the future I'll look at other types of lenses, but for now I'm going with what's in my budget.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

TomC. wrote:

I generally shoot anything from close up to landscape. I really don't "specialize" in any one genre.

In that case, you want to have the option of some shorter focal lengths. If it is possible to get the 18-135 then I would suggest you do that. If your only choice is the 2 lenses you mentioned then I recommend the 55-250. For all around handiness I believe you will find the shorter lengths much more useful then the longer ones.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

lighthouse wrote:

The only specific piece of advice addressing your lens question regarding length advised against going this way.
If you weren't going to listen to the advice given here, what was the point in asking?

It's of no concern to you whether I listen to advice or not. Just looking at the various responses and then I'll make my decision.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

TomC. wrote:

I generally shoot anything from close up to landscape. I really don't "specialize" in any one genre.

Then my advice would be to figure out what you really want to shoot and then cater to it specifically.

Shooting "everything from macro to landscape" generally means that you haven't been shooting long enough to figure out what you really are good at and really click with.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

LFingar wrote:

In that case, you want to have the option of some shorter focal lengths. If it is possible to get the 18-135 then I would suggest you do that. If your only choice is the 2 lenses you mentioned then I recommend the 55-250. For all around handiness I believe you will find the shorter lengths much more useful then the longer ones.

Thank you. I'll take that into consideration.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

rpavich wrote:

Then my advice would be to figure out what you really want to shoot and then cater to it specifically.

Shooting "everything from macro to landscape" generally means that you haven't been shooting long enough to figure out what you really are good at and really click with.

I like them all. I'm not ready to commit to just one specific type of photography at this time. Just getting into the SLR family of cameras and want an all around camera/lens I can use and still be creative in whatever I'm trying to shoot. And there's budget to consider also.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

TomC. wrote:

It's of no concern to you whether I listen to advice or not. Just looking at the various responses and then I'll make my decision.

Yes it is.
You are a time waster who has already made your mind up.
You just want someone to tell you that the lens you want to pick is the one, so that you can justify your choice to yourself in choosing it.
Well here goes.
I recommend the 75-300mm, it is the lens you deserve to have.