55-250 IS - 3 quick test shots (Warning: Large size)

[timmciglobal]

Hi All,

A local camera shop had their going out of business sale and I've always been a looker but mostly bought online so feeling guilty they had a 55-250 IS on sale for 175$ I figured worst case I could resell it online for purchase price and maybe as rumor says it's a decent IS lens.

3 quick 100% crops @ ISO 800 F5.6 on all 4 shots, 55, 135, 250, 250 mm.









Some actual photos to come but I'd say pretty good. the final ones had an effective FL of 400 mm and shot flash @ 1/200th which would be well below the minimum @ 400 and came out nice and sharp when viewed < 100%)

I'm going to take some real photos but so far I'd say it's a nice lens for the money. The build is surprisingly tight on the barrel even though it's all plastic and the AF mechanism isn't too slow. Minimum focus distance is really short at about 1.2 feet giving it quite a large magnification for a zoom. For 250 retail I'd say baring any real issues I find a plastic fantastic.

Tim




Tim

[Nickcanada]

Fantastic! Looks like a great walk around! I think it's a keeper!

[timmciglobal]

Keep in mind none of these have had any sharpening applied. Direct out of camera shots raw converted in CS2.

Tim

[Nickcanada]

Keep it twice in that case! How is the AF?

[timmciglobal]

Not bad, not great. I'm going to test it out somewhere see how tracking does.

I'm pretty impressed for the cost. Canon really did a decent job with their 2 cheap kit lenses this time.

Tim

[24Peter]

Canon really did a decent job with their 2 cheap kit lenses this time.

Tim

Yup, agreed. I've shot with both the 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS and both are a great choice for most casual shooters.

[timmciglobal]

One more tidbit... Wow... 4th gen Is works REALLY well.

Two examples: First shot @ 250 mm (equiv 400 mm) 1/6th second, 2nd shot at 250 mm (equiv 400 mm) 1/15th second.





Exif data preserved to prove FL/lens.

That's pretty amazing. I've got stable hands but that's simply fantastic IS. Those were best out of 3 shots but both of the other 2 shots could print 8x10's with minimal blur for static shots.

Tim

[adam75south]

impressive lens. can't believe you got it for $175.

[Idnas71]

Question... how does a person know they are looking at the 100% crop level?

Do you just use the magnifying glass + tool as far as it will allow you to zoom in? I recently bought a used 55-250 IS lens (for $225... great deal you got on yours, OP), and I'd just like to know if I'm judging it fairly.

[FLiPMaRC]

$175?!?! That's $100 cheaper than anywhere else I've seen. Lucky man!

I'm planning on getting this lens before October.