My Verdict On The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5-6 IS!

I now own the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lense. And having nothing to do at the moment, I'll do a little review for those who are in doubt to get this lense.

You have to realise that since this is an EF-S lense, it can't be used on a full frame camera and can only be attached to cameras that supports EF-S such as the digital rebel series. Furthermore, with crop factor affecting the actual range of the lense, you'll probably get an equivalent zoom range of 80-400mm. Not having the wide angle range is a bummer but I could live with that. It's lightweight too.

The samples below are photographed using the Canon EOS 400D with the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lense except the first one.

It has IS (Image Stabilizer) functionality. Incorporating a 4-Stop IS, I could clearly see the difference when I tested out the lense at the shop.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS (1/13s @ 250mm without IS)

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS (1/13s @ 250mm with IS)

Get the picture? And for around 850 Ringgit it is a good bargain!

Detail is excellent @ 55mm.

@55mm.

@79mm.

@250mm.

@250mm. Still good!

@250mm. Some vignetting appears. Not much of an issue. And at the telephoto end, backgrounds tend to be soft and smooth because of it's circular diaphram. Also not an issue.

Auto focusing is excellent as I track this eagle which flew over me. Excellent lense for the price, not to mention that it has IS.

I'm no expert at reviewing lenses but you could judge very much for yourself after having look at the images!

The next photo has nothing to do with the lense. It's just my ego. That is me with the Nikon D80 and the 70-300mm VR lense. But to come and think of it, it is photographed with my Canon EOS 400D and Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lense.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 lens

I would really like the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lense, considering it has a great wide angle and telephoto range I would die for but unfortunately it's a little too pricey for me! I'll be going for the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS telephoto lense instead!


No wide angle though but I guess I'll rely on the 18-55mm lense that I have at the moment until I can afford the 17-85mm lense.

It's a good deal considering what it has to offer;

• Affordable telephoto zoom lense
• 88 - 400mm equivalent focal length
• 4-stop Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection
• UD element
• Super Spectra coatings
• Circular diaphram

Some Things I Got Over The Weekend!

I was bored yesterday! So I promptly counted and arranged all the coins I had! I know I have too much time!


And I got this!


And lastly, my Canon wireless remote, the RC-1 has arrived finally and it makes photographing photographs a lot more versatile! Love it!

Old And New Toys

Here are some of the other toys in my collection.

The medium format camera, Holga also modified to shoot 35mm film.

Great fisheye photographs came out of this one, the Fisheye 2.

And my recently acquired flexible Pod. Bends on any surface and sturdy like a rock.

Yet Again Another Post About Cameras

Finally!

And below is the fantastic Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Mark 2 lense.

Fast lense, excellent bokeh. Cheap!


And below is the DIY camera being assembled.

Canon EOS 400D, Here I Come!

Finally, I can cross that Canon EOS 400D digital SLR of my wishlist. Hard work and persistence finally pays eh? Also, a new iPod and a handphone might come soon.

Therefore, I present you the preliminary checklist for next week purchase;
Canon EOS 400D with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5 - 5.6 kit lens.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 prime lense.
2Gb San Disk Ultra 2 CF card.
Canon 7 slot bag.

Might add, a circular polarizer and UV filter upon purchase. Maybe even a +10 close up filter.

And that brings me to the next wishlist,
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4 - 5.6 IS USM lense.
Canon 430EX SpeedLight Flash Gun.

Let's go shopping!