Which Telephoto lens to buy?

[samantha.t]

Hello! I have been reading lots of different reviews and trying to decide which telephoto lens to buy over the last few months. There is nothing in particular that I would like to do with the new lens, just a range of sports, wildlife, macro etc. I have managed to narrow it down to two affordable Canon lenses.

*Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

*Canon EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III

Any suggestions would be great. I have a Canon rebel T1i body with the 18-55mm kit lens. I would have bought the 75-300mm without any question but the reviews for the 55-250 seem much better on Amazon.

[jhoeft]

From what I have read and heard the 55-250 is the way to go. First it has Image Stabilization, second it rated really high. Check out Fred Miranda (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...?cat=27&page=3) and read their lens review section. As matter of fact there is only 1 non "L" lens rated higher than it and 1 with the same rating. The 75-300 MKIII gets a 5.6 versus a 9.0 for the 55-250. The 55-250 has 37 reviews so take the score with a grain of salt but the 75-300 is in the bottom 10% of all the canon lenses reviewed. Since I agree with most of the other canon lens reviews on the site I have give this rating some credence.

John

[Killjoy]

The 75-300 is pretty much the worst lens that Canon has ever made.
I know. I have one. It sits in my other bag with my 20D and I never use it. Go for the 55-250. It has had some fantastic reviews, and the IS will help a ton with the longer end when you are hand holding.

[samantha.t]

Thank you for the responses, I think I will definitely go for the 55-250.

Samantha

[Lilikoi the cat]

Click on "Go directly to full size image" on the bottom and compare the image quality. You can even select your camera too.
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/?lens=713

[windrivermaiden]

If I could get any lens, I would save my pennies till I could get the 70-200 2.8f L series. It is a very wonderful versatile lens and well worth saving pennies and waiting till you can get it.
From personal experience.

[RaceImages]

Originally Posted by windrivermaiden

If I could get any lens, I would save my pennies till I could get the 70-200 2.8f L series. It is a very wonderful versatile lens and well worth saving pennies and waiting till you can get it.
From personal experience.

Thats what I'm in the process of doing right now, once I reach my goal I'll be putting my 70-200 f4L up for sale

[Killjoy]

I LOVE my 70-200 2.8 IS, and wouldn't give it up for love nor money (except to upgrade to the Mk II version), but I didn't think that was one of the options.