Has anyone heard anything on this lens, as in fast or slow to auto focus, does it have full time manual focus, how is the IS , does it have internal focus,and of course cost? I am cosidering buying the 70-200L F4 IS and although it's L glass and 50 more mm, i am just curious if i'm being cost efficient here. I do a lot of nature shots, birds etc. and i know the 70-200 will do the job quite well as i have tried one already. On the other hand, if the cost of the 55-250 is reasonable, relatively speaking, and it has good reviews, then maybe i should consider this one.
ANY HELP OUT THERE ON THIS?
Thanks Edward, i appreciate this. This helps me decide to go ahead and "Take the Plunge." I have a 40D and although from the review the 55-200 performs better on it than say, the Rebel, i guess if i'm going to have a camera that 'wants' L glass, then i should use it. I'll be getting the 70-200 F4 IS soon i hope. Thanks again for your help.
Tom Kelley
The 70-200 f/4L IS is surely one of Canon's best lenses - I can't believe how great mine is. To compare it and a kit lens is just silly, reviews notwithstanding. If your budget is an issue, get the 70-200 f/4L non-IS, use it for a few months to a few years, sell it when you can afford the IS version, and at worst you'll get back 85% of what you paid for it new. The non-IS version is every bit as good optically as the IS lens (I've had both together), and for ~$500 new it's truly a bargain. Choosing a lens based on a single feature, such as IS, is exactly what the marketing guys want you to do. Not necessarily evil, but in this case the L wins by an almost infinite margin over the kit lens.
dcains,
I never meant to compare the 70-200L non IS or IS version to a kit lens. I have had a 20D with the kit and now have the 40D with the kit 28-135. I was simply trying to get some info on the 55-250 since it's a relatively new lens. I like to try to keep up with the market as much as possible since it is always changing. I rented the 70-200 F4 IS and loved it and is the reason i'm going to buy it now. Believe me, i have read quite a bit on this lens, having had the 70-300, 24-105, 100-400 and the 100 F2.8 macro. I decided last year to sell everything and start over, this time deciding very carefully my choice in lenses according to my needs. From everything i've read, three lenses stand out to me. They are the 70-200 F4 IS, the 17-55 F2.8 and the 10-22. I think these will cover all my needs. Thank you for your reply.
Tom Kelley
I have several pieces of higher quality Canon glass, but the 55-250 coupled with the new 18-55 IS makes for two VERY lighweight lenses perfect for travel but that ALSO provide good to excellent IQ with a 40D.
The 18-55 is readily available in the U.S., but I've not found the 55-250 in the States. Have you? Would be interested in knowing who's carrying it here, if anyone.
Tom -- For future reference, you might want to post Canon lens questions in the Canon-mount forum. You'll get more replies there.
Good luck with your lens decisions.
