EDIT: This Amazon deal is available again as of 12-12-11: CURRENT DEAL LINK

In case this is of interest to anyone, Amazon.com is currently having a 'Gold Box' deal for the EFs 55-250 IS lens. This is actually a surprisingly good compact 'kit lens' and for $144 plus free shipping it might be a really good deal for someone but you gotta purchase before 1pm (eastern time) today!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011NVMO8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Omar

Thats a good deal, slightly better than the typical used price.

great lens for that price, wow, I don't own a cropper anymore, but if you want a very lightweight and pretty darn sharp travel zoom, its a great way to get reach without much $$ or weight. (I used this lens on my 7D but sold the crop kit a while back)

I don't shoot much telephoto, and I ended up selling my 70-200mm f/4 non IS, and going back to this lens. For the weight and price, it puts out excellent images. 144.00 makes it one of the top 2 or 3 values in the Canon line.

Don't forget to add the free Tiffen filter if you do this... (it's a cheap filter, but it's free)

love that lens

dammit I missed it.

I got in on the deal, with only a few minutes to spare

It was the first lens that I purchased after my kit lens and can reward you quite well with some excellent shots once you get used to it.
It is still my "go-to" lens for going to the Zoo because of the range and size/weight.

This deal is going again today on Amazon.

mco_970 wrote:
This deal is going again today on Amazon.

Yep, I just saw it too and was looking for my old post but I see you already got to it

Omar

Thinking about one of these to bang around on my hiking camera (T3i).

I may buy it for fun...

The 50 2.5 CM is $260 there now. Another of Canon's best values IMO, an $25 off the usual.

Why am I going to buy this stupid 55-250.

RobertLynn wrote:
Why am I going to buy this stupid 55-250.

I'd guess that 80% of us considered it to some degree. I know I did.

outlawyer wrote:
RobertLynn wrote:
Why am I going to buy this stupid 55-250.

I'd guess that 80% of us considered it to some degree. I know I did.

I bought it lol. But I wouldn't spring for the stupid 85 1.8, on refurb, because I couldn't get 5 dollar shipping.

Cheaper/free shipping sells me almost every time.

Taxes and shipping made the 85 1.8 just a tad less $$ than the price BH has for a new one now (esp. if I sign up for Bill Me Later & grab the $20 discount). Not really worth going for a refurb with the price diff. of a new one.

mco_970 wrote:
Taxes and shipping made the 85 1.8 just a tad less $$ than the price BH has for a new one now (esp. if I sign up for Bill Me Later & grab the $20 discount). Not really worth going for a refurb with the price diff. of a new one.

I pay taxes on shipping anyway, so I'd be paying it to the state of PA if I didn't pay it at checkout, so they've got me coming and going.

I'm so close to selling my 135 for an 85 as backup, but I almost can't bring myself to do it. I wanted my 135 for so long, and I use it so liuttle.

Doesn't this lens have questionable build quality and a plastic mount?