baygolf Loc: DMV

I'm trying to pick between the Canon 55-250mm STM and the Canon 18-135mm STM. There is a big cost jump between thses to lens and I already have the Canon 18-55mm Lens. I also have the Canon 70-300mm non IS lens. I feel I need to get a lens with a longer range and IS and STM. But I was wondering if the increase cost and shorter long range of 18-135mm is worth the extra cost - are the images better than the 55-250mm? The 18-135mm starts @ F/3.5 while the 55-250mm starts @F/4.5 does the justify the increase cost? Bottomline which would be the best buy - I"m using a Canon SL1, I have the D70 on my wish list. Help!!

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

Maybe think outside the box. Canon reconditioned products, or other brand cameras! Mercy, I like that one.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

The 18-135 STM is a better and more flexible lens. You can keep that lens on your camera all the time which is not true of your other options except for the kit lens which is a shorter zoom and not as good a quality although it will take very good pictures.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I was able to buy a used 18-135 from B&H for $300 (free shipping, no tax). I am thrilled with it! But if you want longer range, this is probably not it. I use for landscapes.

The 55-250 mm is not really a "long range" focal length either; I mostly used for close-ups of flowers and leaves (great blurry backgrounds), and moonrise/moonset shots taken at dusk/dawn. B&H has used for under $200:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon+55-250&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&usedSearch=1&Top+Nav-Search=

If you are really thinking long-range, look for a refurbished Canon SX50 bridge camera. Not for everyone, but I (and many other folks on UHH) have some quite nice bird shots :) The refurbished through Canon have a one-year warranty and were recently selling for $225. Best bargain out there!

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

I thought the best bargain out there is when your kids take you to Red Lobster and THEY pay.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

The 18-135 is going to give you more versatility with the wide angle, and you already have the 300 for telephoto.

I keep the 18-135 on my 70D 85% of the time.

Bill

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

You are looking for the better buy, not the best one. You are only considering two items.

Another way of looking at your question is Canon versus third-party. Reviews are finding that Sigma and Tamron are just about the same as Canon and Nikon overall. Sure, specific differences exist but they are usually minor in the overall experience.

Sigma has obsoleted the 18-250 and you can get it at a discount. The new lens is 18-300 which is getting impressive reviews. Add that to substantially lower price and you have a real dilemma in deciding among all the choices for the best buy.

Rather than asking others which they prefer in terms of zoom or lens speed, think in terms of what you use and what you miss. Does an extra stop or a slightly different zoom range really matter? If you are not sure, you should probably buy the more expensive option because you are more likely to grow into the extras. Otherwise, you may regret your more restrained decision and once you do, you will probably not want to buy again.

Good luck and I hope this works out for you.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

You say you want longer range than what you have in your 70-300. Neither of the 2 lenses you're looking at will achieve that. Either lens will be a nice addition. I think you need to refine what it is you're looking for. Do you want a longer focal length or do you want faster glass? The answer may lead you to an entirely different choice.

Walt

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Since you already have the 18-55 (you didn't mention which one, but the later versions most likely to be bundled in kit with and SL1 are pretty similar in image quality... the STM version just has better AF)...

Get the 55-250 STM. Image quality with 18-135 is not any better... it's just a good choice for folks who want a single lens... but you are putting together a two lens kit, so would be better served with the 55-250... especially the later STM model with its quieter, smoother AF... and especially since it appears that a rather powerful telephoto is a concern to you.... 18-135 would come up short, I'm pretty sure.

I do not know for certain why you're looking to replace the 70-300 non-IS... just to get the IS and maybe somewhat better AF? (If instead that actually happens to be the 75-300 non-IS non-USM, which is one of Canon's least expensive, lowest quality lenses and least capable lenses, I can fully understand replacing it).

250mm vs 300mm isn't a whole lot of difference really. In fact, on a crop camera such as SL1, 250mm is a whole lot of lens.

Get closer to your subjects! Or plan to spend a whole lot more. "Stepping up" to any longer lens isn't cheap: Canon 100-400 IS (first version, around $1600... new version, over $2000), Sigma 120-400 OS ($900), Sigma 150-500 ($1000), Sigma 50-500 (the "Big-ma", $1700), Sigma 150-600 (two versions... "sports" with faster AF and better build for about $2000, and a cheaper "contemporary" version coming soon, price to be announced), Tamron 150-600mm ($1100)... among others.

P.S. I'm going to assume you plan to upgrade to the Canon "70D" in the future... not to the Nikon "D70" (which is a rather old model now).

baygolf Loc: DMV

Thanks - You are correct my wish list has the Canon 70D. :lol:

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I have one crop sensor Nikon SLR in addition to the full frame cameras. The crop sensor has only one lens on it, the 18-300 I think Canon has that kind of a lens too but if it doesn't, Sigma is working on one and Tamron too if they haven't already got one.

That is the lens the camera has on it almost permanently. I use that body for travel now since with one lens I can cover most of my needs and by not having to change lenses all the time it's easy for me to keep the sensor clean too.

When that was my only SLR I also had a macro lens. a wide lens and a long lens. In fact I got the trinity the f2.8 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 lenses which I use now on my full frame cameras.

That was the approach I took to decide what lens was next. First was to get something that covers most of my general needs that was also kind of affordable (the 18-300), then I got the macro (105 mm F2.8) and finally the others.

Each new acquisition was to enable me to move to another subject or genre. The macro was second since that's my passion, but you could consider something else depending on what's important to you photographically.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I use a T3i currently. Started with the basic 18-55 "kit lens" and then bought the 55- 250. These are OK lenses to start with, but I definitely felt an upgrade was worthwhile. My wife now has those on a T2i and is happy (at least for now).

I now have the 18-135 STM and the 70-300 IS, together with the 10-22 ultra-wide zoom as my primary three lenses. I have other more esoteric things, but I find that a much better combination than the 18-55 and 55-250.

Going forwards I'll probably next go to a 7DmkII and the new 100-400 L, but just have to justify $4K+ to do it.

So, no matter what the rest say, I would go with the 18-135mm and see if you can upgrade the 70-300 non IS with a used IS one. You could probably get both for a little over $500 and recoup some costs by selling your existing two for around $120 or so.

In my opinion that would give you better lenses and more versatility than your current options. Then there is the new 10-18 zoom which is very sweet for the money....

Good luck.

baygolf Loc: DMV

Thanks