Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
May 31, 2017 16:23:07 #
A friend of mine is looking for feedback regarding this image stabilized "STM" version of this lens. I understand this this STM lens is Canon's third iteration of this design. Since cost is a major consideration for my friend, he is looking at buying one in used condition at <$150 via Amazon. Most likely use for this lens would be landscapes, events and other general photography using a 7DMkII camera. /Ralph
May 31, 2017 16:58:43 #
May 31, 2017 17:15:52 #
rjaywallace wrote:
A friend of mine is looking for feedback regarding this image stabilized "STM" version of this lens. I understand this this STM lens is Canon's third iteration of this design. Since cost is a major consideration for my friend, he is looking at buying one in used condition at <$150 via Amazon. Most likely use for this lens would be landscapes, events and other general photography using a 7DMkII camera. /Ralph
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/55-250mm-stm.htm !
May 31, 2017 22:21:09 #
rjaywallace wrote:
I don't usually hear "telephoto lens" and "landscape" in the same sentence; more usual is the combination "wide angle lens" and "landscape".A friend of mine is looking for feedback regarding this image stabilized "STM" version of this lens. I understand this this STM lens is Canon's third iteration of this design. Since cost is a major consideration for my friend, he is looking at buying one in used condition at <$150 via Amazon. Most likely use for this lens would be landscapes, events and other general photography using a 7DMkII camera. /Ralph
May 31, 2017 22:29:02 #
rehess wrote:
I don't usually hear "telephoto lens" and "landscape" in the same sentence; more usual is the combination "wide angle lens" and "landscape".
Point taken, but it depends how close you are to the landscape and how much detail you want in the shot. /Ralph
May 31, 2017 22:55:25 #
I have this lens but rarely use it anymore. Not exactly a lens I'd use on my 7D II but, why not. It is a decent lens, not a great lens but good enough if someone wants a moderate tele zoom and can't afford a better one. Certainly not one of Canon's better lenses but then not exactly their worst either. It's well worth $150.
May 31, 2017 23:00:59 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
I have this lens but rarely use it anymore. Not exactly a lens I'd use on my 7D II but, why not. It is a decent lens, not a great lens but good enough if someone wants a moderate tele zoom and can't afford a better one. Certainly not one of Canon's better lenses but then not exactly their worst either. It's well worth $150.
Have you seen the Canon MTF chart for this lens and compared it to some of the "better" Canon lenses ??
Is is very impressive ! - so is the close focus...
Jun 1, 2017 00:14:57 #
imagemeister wrote:
Have you seen the Canon MTF chart for this lens and compared it to some of the "better" Canon lenses ??
Is is very impressive ! - so is the close focus...
Is is very impressive ! - so is the close focus...
No, I have not. But I have seen photos I've taken with the 2013 STM version, the 2011 version and the original 2007 version. The image quality of the 2007 and 2011 are identical and the photos they produce are quite acceptable. The 2013 version, which came as a kit lens with my 70D, produces even better quality images and it does a great job shooting video, which is primarily what I got it for. Are the photos from the STM version good? Yes, they are. Are they as good as ones taken with my 28-300L at the same focal lengths? Close but no, but then that's comparing results from a $450 lens to that of a $2200 lens.
A EF 55-250 STM for $150, in very good condition, is a great buy, worth every dime. I never said it was a bad lens. It is a really nice lens, especially for the money, but it's still a $450 lens; not bad but not great either, but it is capable of producing excellent images.
Jun 1, 2017 06:49:51 #
Jun 1, 2017 07:06:15 #
Bought mine direct from Canon refurbished with a one year warranty for $129 plus tax. Wait for their 4th July or Black Friday sales
Jun 1, 2017 07:11:07 #
I have and use this lens on a 70D. I find it to be a very good performing lens, generates sharp images. Very good shooting sports. I really find no faults with it, very good value for $ spent..!! 
Jun 1, 2017 07:15:20 #
I have one, the images are excellent. My only complaint is lens creep. I would recommend a purchase from the Canon Refurbished Site. That is where my lens came from. Unless the Amazon ad states it is "factory" refurbished, I would not purchase it from Amazon.
Jun 1, 2017 10:17:27 #
davyboy
Loc: Anoka Mn.
I have this lens and also love it. I shoot birds from a backyard blind nice detail and colr
Jun 1, 2017 11:06:26 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
I don't have one, but the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM is the latest version and best "budget" telezoom that Canon makes. It's got quite good image quality, is very close focusing, and has reasonably fast and quiet focusing. And it has helpful Image Stabilization.
The earlier II and original versions are essentially the same as each other, just cosmetic differences it seems. They also have very good IQ and IS, but use a noisier, slower micro motor focus drive that has to be turned off at the switch before you can manually focus it. They also rotate the front barrel when focused, which can be a pain in the arse if using a polarizing filter on the lens.
The STM or "stepper motor" autofocus drive system on the newest version is faster and quieter. Plus the lens focuses closer, doesn't rotate the front barrel and you can manually override the STM AF at any time (it's a "fly by wire" system, so the lens needs to be "powered up" for manual focus to be possible). Typically the STM costs about $50 more than the II/micro motor version when new... but there are so many oof all of them on the used market the difference in price there is usually less.
Shopping for a budget lens... in particular tell your friend to avoid any temptation with the Canon EF 75-300mm "III" non-USM, non-IS, which is often offered even cheaper than the 55-200mm lenses. But the 75-300mm III is not anywhere near as good lens. It doesn't have as good image quality, uses slower & noisier micro motor focus drive, isn't as close focusing, lacks image stabilization and rotates the front barrel during focusing.
"Lens creep" - where the zoom extends while carrying the lens - is relatively common and not a big deal. Even more expensive and premium lenses such as EF 70-300, 24-70L, 24-105L and others have zoom creep. Just go to the grocery store and get one of those wide rubber bands from the guy or gal in the produce section... put that on the lens to stop zoom creep. Problem solved! (About the only zooms that reliably don't have creep are those that are Internal Focusing/Zooming, such as the 70-200s... or those with a zoom lock or tension adjustment, such as the 100-400mm uses.)
I would be VERY leery of purchasing used off Amazon... That's likely going to be from a private party and an "as is" sale with no warranty. Private parties also commonly aren't experts at gear inspection or describing condition.
Buy used from B&H, Adorama, KEH... they're more expert evaluating condition and their descriptions are usually conservative. And in most cases they offer 90 day warranty on used items. Both B&H and Adorama currently have used 55-250mm STM lenses in stock.
Or, buy refurbished direct from Canon USA website. Those are often in pretty much "like new" condition and come with the same 1 year warranty as new. Might have to wait for a sale there, to get one as cheaply as your friend wants.
Canon USA started selling their own refurbished gear directly several years ago. Prior to that they sold it through several of their largest authorized dealers. But the result is that now any Canon "refurbished" you see anywhere other than the Canon USA website are unlikely to be "factory refurbished"... are really more like "used". (Note: Nikon USA has very recently started selling their refurbs directly, too... but you still can find Nikon refurbs selling elsewhere. I imagine eventually theirs willo nly be available direct, too.)
The earlier II and original versions are essentially the same as each other, just cosmetic differences it seems. They also have very good IQ and IS, but use a noisier, slower micro motor focus drive that has to be turned off at the switch before you can manually focus it. They also rotate the front barrel when focused, which can be a pain in the arse if using a polarizing filter on the lens.
The STM or "stepper motor" autofocus drive system on the newest version is faster and quieter. Plus the lens focuses closer, doesn't rotate the front barrel and you can manually override the STM AF at any time (it's a "fly by wire" system, so the lens needs to be "powered up" for manual focus to be possible). Typically the STM costs about $50 more than the II/micro motor version when new... but there are so many oof all of them on the used market the difference in price there is usually less.
Shopping for a budget lens... in particular tell your friend to avoid any temptation with the Canon EF 75-300mm "III" non-USM, non-IS, which is often offered even cheaper than the 55-200mm lenses. But the 75-300mm III is not anywhere near as good lens. It doesn't have as good image quality, uses slower & noisier micro motor focus drive, isn't as close focusing, lacks image stabilization and rotates the front barrel during focusing.
"Lens creep" - where the zoom extends while carrying the lens - is relatively common and not a big deal. Even more expensive and premium lenses such as EF 70-300, 24-70L, 24-105L and others have zoom creep. Just go to the grocery store and get one of those wide rubber bands from the guy or gal in the produce section... put that on the lens to stop zoom creep. Problem solved! (About the only zooms that reliably don't have creep are those that are Internal Focusing/Zooming, such as the 70-200s... or those with a zoom lock or tension adjustment, such as the 100-400mm uses.)
I would be VERY leery of purchasing used off Amazon... That's likely going to be from a private party and an "as is" sale with no warranty. Private parties also commonly aren't experts at gear inspection or describing condition.
Buy used from B&H, Adorama, KEH... they're more expert evaluating condition and their descriptions are usually conservative. And in most cases they offer 90 day warranty on used items. Both B&H and Adorama currently have used 55-250mm STM lenses in stock.
Or, buy refurbished direct from Canon USA website. Those are often in pretty much "like new" condition and come with the same 1 year warranty as new. Might have to wait for a sale there, to get one as cheaply as your friend wants.
Canon USA started selling their own refurbished gear directly several years ago. Prior to that they sold it through several of their largest authorized dealers. But the result is that now any Canon "refurbished" you see anywhere other than the Canon USA website are unlikely to be "factory refurbished"... are really more like "used". (Note: Nikon USA has very recently started selling their refurbs directly, too... but you still can find Nikon refurbs selling elsewhere. I imagine eventually theirs willo nly be available direct, too.)
Jun 1, 2017 14:00:12 #
davyboy
Loc: Anoka Mn.
I'm sorry if I'm high jacking this thread! But one quick question my 55-250 says just that on my lens but after photo in playback it says stm not sure what to make of it
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