Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

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erikburd
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p.2 #1 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

I used the 55-250 before I gave it to my mom, who bought a T4i. It took great pictures, and I couldn't complain about the price.

Jan 01, 2013 at 10:04 PM

40Driggs
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p.2 #2 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

How long would it take to save up for a 100-400? If you are in need of a lens to hold you over for a while I would recommend the 55-250 to save up some money. If you will keeping the lens for a while, the Tamron would be worth the extra overall.

Jan 04, 2013 at 04:21 PM

thedutt
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p.2 #3 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

One option not mentioned here and worth considering, save a bit more and get a 70-200 F4 used for around $450. Simply a superb lens and will give you 280mm option in future with a relatively inexpensive 1.4x (kenko or sigma)

Jan 04, 2013 at 04:33 PM

boingyman
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p.2 #4 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

From my research in the past 55-250 is best back for your buck. Like others have mentioned Tamron 70-300 VC is a step up and can be had slightly more than your budget. Also like the above poster stated the 70-200 f/4 is a damn good lens for the price, although above budget.

Jan 04, 2013 at 05:30 PM

bauerman
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p.2 #5 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

55-250 is a kit quality lens (poor build) and is slow.

Better bang for your buck is the older EF70-210mm f/3.5-4.5

It has great build quality, better sharpness and overall IQ, full time manual focus, ring USM focusing motor, faster apertures and a built in distance scale. It's what a kit lens SHOULD be.

Jan 08, 2013 at 06:23 AM

Sjjindra
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p.2 #6 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

My 9 year old grandson, using my loaner XT and 55-250 regularly beats me with my 7D and 100-400 for best nature photo of the day, but that is primarilly a matter of superior talent and instinct trumps superior equipment. Bottom line, the 550-250 (bought used for $130) is a great value.
Steve

Jan 08, 2013 at 04:51 PM

robbymack
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p.2 #7 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

Are you just looking for something to complement the 18-55 or are you looking for an all in one super zoom?

Jan 08, 2013 at 05:12 PM

taylorman22
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p.2 #8 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

robbymack wrote:
Are you just looking for something to complement the 18-55 or are you looking for an all in one super zoom?

I actually just bought a used 24-105 f/4L that should be here Friday. Since that lens will go to 105, I'll probably want something with a little more range than 200. I may consider the 70-200 f/4L, but the Tamron 70-300 VC seems like a good option. I don't wanna drop the money on a Canon 70-300L just yet

Jan 09, 2013 at 06:40 PM

Alek Komarnits
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p.2 #9 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

racoll wrote:
I have to agree that the 55-250 can be very sharp. I borrowed my Dad's copy (he hasn't used it in well over a year!) to carry on my 7D for my daily commute instead of packing the 70-200 2.8IS, and have been quite impressed with images from it. Not quite as good as the 70-200 but surprisingly good and sharp nonetheless. I could get used to its light weight for sure, and the IS works quite well. All in all, a very nice lens for a very good price.

Andy

Ditto!

Jan 09, 2013 at 08:03 PM

scottam10
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p.2 #10 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

Stay away from the older Canon 75-300mm non-IS and IS lenses. They're both pretty bad.

The 55-250 IS is great value and very small and light

The Canon 70-300 IS has great image quality (big improvement on the 75-300mm IS), but it's a lot heavier than the 55-250, build quality isn't brilliant and the AF isn't any faster than the 55-250.
The Tamron 70-300 VC is similar to the Canon

- for your budget I think you'd be happy with the 55-250 IS or you could spend a little more on either of the 70-300s

Jan 10, 2013 at 05:05 AM

Gary Petersen
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p.2 #11 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?

Jan 11, 2013 at 05:55 PM

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