Lens decision for Canon (Page 2): The EF-S 55-250mm is a much better lens than the EF 75-300. The 75 -300 non-IS, non-USM that's what's usually included in "bundles" is Canon's...

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The EF-S 55-250mm is a much better lens than the EF 75-300.

The 75-300 non-IS, non-USM that's what's usually included in "bundles" is Canon's cheapest and weakest telezoom. The 55-250mm and 70-300 Canon lenses are all better lenses.

250mm vs 300mm? Take two steps forward and you've made up the 50mm difference.

There are two current versions of 55-250mm available - EF-S 55-250mm IS II and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM. Either one has good image quality and very helpful image stabilization. The approx. $50 more expensive STM version has better autofocus performance.

So, if it were me I would definitely get one or the other of the 55-250mm.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

TomC. wrote:

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.

Since you have not decided what you want to shoot, the equipment will ultimately make the choice for you. You WILL end up with a system that is better at some things and worse at others. The you will then llikely graviate toward things where your camera system is better.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

amfoto1 wrote:

The EF-S 55-250mm is a much better lens than the E... (show quote)

Thanks, Alan
Yours is by far the best response. I'm going to print it out and have it w/me when I finally make a purchase later on next month.
Just about every response has been helpful in some way. However there is one person who's negativity and attitude was totally unnecessary.
I won't mention any name, but read back in the responses and you'll know.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

TomC. wrote:

Thanks, Alan
Yours is by far the best response. I'm going to print it out and have it w/me when I finally make a purchase later on next month.
Just about every response has been helpful in some way. However there is one person who's negativity and attitude was totally unnecessary.
I won't mention any name, but read back in the responses and you'll know.

I'm that one person and I don't think my comment was negative at all.
I think it was very supportive of haroldross who you chose to ignore.
haroldross who has both lenses that you are comparing, and provided you with exactly the same conclusion to your "best response by far".

And here we have "Alans is the best response by far"
And "Alan" made exactly the same recommendation, and provided basically the same information that you chose to ignore from haroldross.

I think you were disrespectful to haroldross.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

amfoto1 wrote:

The EF-S 55-250mm is a much better lens than the E... (show quote)

If I read you correctly, some of the lenses are EF, usable on any Canon DSLR camera, and some are EF-S, usable only on the Rebel family. If that is true, deciding which one to go with might partially depend on whether there was any possibility of ever moving up to the expensive equipment.

Kubie Loc: SE Kansas

I got a 75-300mm cheap and barely used and quickly understood why it was for sale. I would advise against it if anything else is available. The 18-135mm IS kit lens my camera came with is so much better it is not close and it's not considered more than an average lens.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

rehess wrote:

If I read you correctly, some of the lenses are EF, usable on any Canon DSLR camera, and some are EF-S, usable only on the Rebel family. If that is true, deciding which one to go with might partially depend on whether there was any possibility of ever moving up to the expensive equipment.

Thanks for your reply, rehess, you've been very helpful.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Kubie wrote:

I got a 75-300mm cheap and barely used and quickly understood why it was for sale. I would advise against it if anything else is available. The 18-135mm IS kit lens my camera came with is so much better it is not close and it's not considered more than an average lens.

Thanks for the reply, Kubie. With help from you and others, I'll be making an informed decision soon.