 - Focal Length & Maximum Aperture - 55-250mm f/4-5.6
- Lens Construction - 12 elements in 10 groups, including one UD-glass element
- Diagonal Angle of View - 27° 50'- 6° 15' (with APS-C image sensors)
- Focus Adjustment - DC motor, gear-driven (front focusing design)
- Closest Focusing Distance - 3.6 ft./1.1m (maximum close-up magnification 0.31x)
List Price: $299.99
Lowest Price: Too low to display 
Product Description: Bring your photographic subjects closer with this Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Telephoto Zoom Lens. It is designed with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology and is compact and light. This high zoom ratio lens is equivalent to a focal length of 88-400mm in the 35mm format (when used on Canon EOS cameras compatible with EF-S lenses). The image stabilizer effect is equivalent to a shutter speed about 4 stops faster than the same size lens without Image Stabilizer. In other words, if the slowest shutter speed you could formerly hold a 250mm lens steadily was 1/250th of a second, with Canon's 4-stop stabilization correction, you could hand-hold at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15th of a second. It also uses a UD-glass lens element to correct chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range.
Filter Size - 58mm Max. Diameter - x Length 2.8 in. x 4.3 in./70 x 108mm (maximum lens length) Weight - 13.8 oz./390g Canon 1 year limited warranty Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-07-03
Lens works great!
For the money the lens is a great value. It has a stabilizer and my phtos look great. Rating:
Date: 2008-07-02
Sharp lens ... amazing IS!!
I bought this lens mainly for the focal length and the IS feature. I figured that I would replace the lens within a year, once I had enough money because I was expecting this lens to be a typical mediocre lens. When I took picture of this lens to test it out, I was amazed. This lens is sharp at wide open apertures. I have taken pictures with many lenses (L class included) and this lens is a rarity in that it was sharpest wide open at each focal length.
The IS on this lens is unbelievable. I was able to take pictures at such low shutter speeds that I could have never been able to do without IS. The IS makes a little bit of noise (VERY minimal) which makes me happy because it shows you that it is working. I know you may not believe me, but I was able to take a picture at 1/15 at a focal length of 250mm and the image was sharp at 100% ... no blur.
The focus is pretty good, but not as fast or sure as USM focus. The construction of this lens is not that of an L class, but for the price you paying, that is expected.
In my opinion, you get a lens to take good pictures and this lens does that, and some. I don't buy lenses for their construction because I am not a photographer that would ever need a metal lens construction. Actually I would prefer this construction because it is so much lighter and easier to carry around. The only legitimate complaint about this lens is the focus, but it is still not an issue at all if you are in a place that is not dark. But then again, why would you be using this lens in the dark with f/4..0-5.6 as its largest aperture.
In summary: if you want a lens that takes sharp pictures with a nice telephoto range of focal lengths and some great IS, then this is the lens for you. Rating:
Date: 2008-06-28
Wonderful lens, wonderful price
I'll keep it simple. If you shoot weddings or events, buy this lens. I've made shots with this lens that I was taught were impossible without a tripod. 400mm (equiv) at 1/25th of a second? Sure, why not!
If you can afford a 70-300 IS or a 70-200 IS, great. But I'd recommend you try this lens first. Most folks will find they won't need one of those more expensive lenses. Rating:
Date: 2008-06-25
Great Lens for the Price
I recently had our twin daughter's Pre-K graduation and dance recital before going on vacation for a week. I flip-flopped on whether I should purchase the 55-250 or go with the Canon 75-300 USM. After testing out both lenses at the J&R, I went with the 55-250.
Overall, I'm extremely satisfied. I can take photos of images I've missed in the past. Images are sharp. Colors pop. The auto-focus and image stabilization work well. Using the EOS software included with the Canon xSi, I can fine-tine the photos to my liking.
I've read comments that that build is plastic and flimsy. I have not found this to be the case. It's just as sturdy as the 18-55 kit lens included with the Xsi.
Could you get slightly sharper images from the 75-300. You may be able to, but is it worth double the price and extra weight. If you are simply looking to get great photos of family members, special events, vacations with image stabilization and auto-focus, the Canon 55-250 lens cannot be beat for the price. Rating:
Date: 2008-06-24
Just Wow
All I can say is wow. This lens just came in today so lots left to discover but wow. I have had my xt for three years now and had given up hope of taking the pics I really wanted. I took this lens outside and got some flower pictures, then went inside and took some more pics. I have the kit lens 18-55mm and also the 75-300usm, and the 50mm lens thats so popular, I have never been able to get pics like the ones I snapped today! This lens puts off a new camera body for a long while, in short it is nothing less than great. This is what I bought the Rebel XT to do. The color, contrast, clarity is suddenly all there. I bet alot of you bought a dslr to take great pics, or much better than a point and shoot, well this lens puts you there. I notice that the newer consumer dslr bodies come with an IS lens and this is no coinsidence as its the lens that is making your pictures so much better. I highly recommend it as it is the best purchase I've made in a long time even in auto mode! |
