bobburk3 wrote:
I'm looking for a zoom lens for a Canon camera. I do not intend to take movies with the camera. Is the STM feature worth the extra cost in buying a canon lens? Probably looking at a used Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Zoom Lens. It is $149 at Cameta Camera for a used lens in Very Good condition. Any thoughts?
Yes, in my opinion it's worth it... if you want faster, quieter auto focus AND better image quality.
The "II" is selling for $179 brand new, while the "STM" is selling for $299 new. That's a difference of only $120.
You can compare the lenses in more detail yourself, at:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=856&Camera=736&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=777&CameraComp=736&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=1Particularly notice that the 250mm end of the range in both lenses, the STM version is sharper.
In his detailed review of the STM lens (
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-55-250mm-f-4-5.6-IS-STM-Lens.aspx), Bryan wrote:
"Image quality has easily been the biggest drawback for me to recommend Canon's 55-250mm lenses. These lenses just haven't been very good performers – especially at the upper end of the FLR. The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens changes things in this regard.
With 15 lens elements in 12 groups, the IS STM has an obviously different optical design compared to the IS II's 12/10 design. And perhaps the most notable feature of [the STM] lens is the image quality it delivers.
At apertures wider than f/5.6, expect mildly soft results from this lens (turning up the sharpness setting counters much of this). At f/5.6, image sharpness is quite good over the entire focal length range and across the entire frame, which also means that this lens is quite sharp at 200mm and above with a wide open f/5.6 aperture. Except at 100mm, I am seeing very little difference in f/8 image quality over what is delivered at f/5.6. The 100mm focal length is the weakest in this lens and improvement is still being seen at f/8 at 100mm.
Using an aperture narrower than f/8 with most modern high megapixel (15+) APS-C format DSLRs results in increasingly soft results due to diffraction. This attribute is not unique to the 55-250 IS STM as all decent quality lenses mounted on these APS-C format cameras will show the same decrease in overall sharpness. I'm not saying that you should not use apertures narrower than f/8, but that you should be aware of the trade-offs for doing so. Use the site's image quality tool to see the difference for yourself.
When we look at a comparison between the 55-250mm IS STM and the 55-250 IS II, the [STM] lens is looking remarkable. The STM delivers significantly better image quality than the IS II from 135mm through 250mm – even when stopped down to f/8. The improvement can be seen in the center of the frame and the difference in the corners is dramatic."Check it out for yourself, at the above link. Only you can say if the difference is worth the extra $120 to you (or maybe less, if you shop around and buy used... or refurbished).
EDIT: Have you considered refurbished? At the Canon USA website the 55-250mm STM is currently available for $240 (
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-s-55-250mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-telephoto-zoom-lens-refurbished). That's only $91 more than the used "II" you're looking at. Canon's refurbished are typically little different from new.... And they have the same factory warranty as new.
IMPORTANT:
Avoid the EF 75-300mm "III", which is sometimes included in kit with the most entry level cameras and can often be found new or used cheaper than any other Canon telephoto zoom. HOWEVER, it's got the worst close focusing ability, uses slow/noisy micro motor focus drive (same as the EF-S 55-250 II), lacks Image Stabilization AND has the worst image quality of any of them. Any of the 55-250mm, 70-300mm or 70-200mm Canon lenses is a much better choice in every imaginable way. The only thing the EF 75-300mm has going for it is that it's cheap.
The Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM II (with the new Nano USM) that's been mentioned is a very nice lens... the earlier version of that lens, which can be found for less $, is also quite good. They are more expensive than the EF-S 55-250mm.
There's very little noticeable difference between 55mm and 70mm. In fact, you probably already have an 18-55mm lens... and the "gap" between that and 70-300mm is virtually meaningless. It's focal lengths that are largely unnecessary. The extra 50mm at the 300mm end of the range might be more useful. The EF 70-300mm IS USM II is selling for $449. The earlier version of it can be bought new for $379 (both can be found for a lot less used or refurbished).
There also is the EF 70-300mm IS USM "L", which is the best of them all, premium build quality with sealing for weather resistance, and the only one of these lenses that can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring (sold separately)... but is a whole lot more expensive at $1350 new ($850 used).
And, there's the EF 70-300mm IS USM "DO" that was discontinued a couple years ago... It has pretty darned good image quality too. The diffractive optics used in it make for a more compact lens, but it's not any lighter than the "II". At one time, this was the most expensive of these lenses at over $1400 new... but now can be found used for around $500-600.
Finally... NONE of the above lenses use fluorite in their optical formula, the way all but one of the Canon 70-200s and the 100-400s do. Fluorite is ideal to minimize chromatic aberrations, which can be problem in telephoto zooms. All the 70-200s and the 100-400s either come with or can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring. They also are all "L-series", real workhorse build quality and have extra sealing for weather/dust resistance. The EF 70-200mm f/4L non-IS version currently is on sale for $549 new. The EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM can be found used for about the same amount. (These two don't incl. Tripod Ring A, it's an additional $149 for the Canon OEM... or $49 for third party.)
A matched hood is highly recommended to protect the lens and improve image quality. L-series lenses come with a matched lens hood. The other lenses above don't,... their hood is sold separately and normally cost between $25 and $30 for Canon OEM. Third party hoods may be available for less. Some of the very latest OEM hoods now use a neat locking mechanism, but are costing more ($50 to $75).