thoughts on 55-250 IS vs. 75-300

[BirderSean]

I'm trying to decide between these two lenses to go with my first dSLR, either the Rebel XSi (450D) or the Rebel XS (1000D). These are the choices I have based on very limited (very!) funds.

I would like to be able to get shots of birds and realize that both may be a bit on the "short" end. I assume 300 is better than 250, but if the 250 somehow is better quality, or if the IS makes that much difference, then I'd rather get it.

Would love to hear your thoughts/experiences for these.

thanks in advance.

[Nikon Kid]

One of the problems with a cheap lens is the fact you get what you pay for. Beg Steal or Borrow, save up your money sell something and get a good bird lens, better not to buy any of these lens and put the money towards the better lens say 300mm f4, 100-400mm or a 400mm f5.6

I know thats not what you want to hear but its good advise.

[cab1024]

Here's a similar thread I started in January. (http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=131165) FWIW I got the 100-400 about a month ago. These all might still be out of your price range, but if I had it all to do over again and didn't suck it up and buy the most expensive one (on credit) -- I would get the 70-200 f/4 L-series and go for the infinitely better image quality.

The same shot would likely look far better bird taken with the 70-200 and just enlarged to the same size in photoshop as with the cheaper 300's or 250.

[postcardcv]

I'm trying to decide between these two lenses to go with my first dSLR, either the Rebel XSi (450D) or the Rebel XS (1000D). These are the choices I have based on very limited (very!) funds.

I would like to be able to get shots of birds and realize that both may be a bit on the "short" end. I assume 300 is better than 250, but if the 250 somehow is better quality, or if the IS makes that much difference, then I'd rather get it.

Both will be a bit short for birding, but they are still a decent starting point, you'll just have to take nice environmental shots rather than in your face close ups. From what I've read the 55-250 IS is a very good budget lens with impressive image quality, or the two you've mentioned it's the one I'd go for. Personally I'd rather have the lens with better image quality than the one with a bit more reach.

[postcardcv]

One of the problems with a cheap lens is the fact you get what you pay for. Beg Steal or Borrow, save up your money sell something and get a good bird lens, better not to buy any of these lens and put the money towards the better lens say 300mm f4, 100-400mm or a 400mm f5.6

I know thats not what you want to hear but its good advise.

Personally I think that this is bad advise - sure the suggested Canon lenses are better quality than the ones you're looking at and will give more reach which is great for birding... but they'll cost ~5x as much. Buy one of the lenses that you mentioned and enjoy using it, if in the future you upgrade to a longer lens something like the 55-250 will still be a useful walkabout/general lens.

[Nikon Kid]

if in the future you upgrade to a longer lens something like the 55-250 will still be a useful walkabout/general lens.

I cant see a 55-250mm lens is a upgrade, I was not satisfied with a 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM for birding since I have had my 400mm f5.6 the 70-300 has never been out of the box. I suppose its all about field-craft and camogear if you have a 250mm lens, I don't see many bird pics on the gallery taken with a 250 that are good IQ and sharp, look at all the birds taken with a 500 f4 brilliant images

BTW what lens are you mostly using a 500 f4 and a 2x TC thats a 1000mm :t:

[JohnZ]

Terry, It is not supposed to be an upgrade. Birdersean has specifically said that he is on very limited funds. So suggesting that he fork out for any other lens is foolish.

[Nikon Kid]

Look I know its Ltd funds so the only place you are going to take birds with a 55-250mm is in cages unless they are Bald Eagles, That lens would be nice for Dragonflies and Butterflies, 450d or 1000d the 450d I think is better try and buy second hand so you can spend more money on the lens, OK back to the question Yes I would go with the 55-250 over the 75-300 but not for birds. I will shut up know and go back to sleep sorry for having a opinion.

[postcardcv]

I cant see a 55-250mm lens is a upgrade, I was not satisfied with a 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM for birding since I have had my 400mm f5.6 the 70-300 has never been out of the box. I suppose its all about field-craft and camogear if you have a 250mm lens, I don't see many bird pics on the gallery taken with a 250 that are good IQ and sharp, look at all the birds taken with a 500 f4 brilliant images

BTW what lens are you mostly using a 500 f4 and a 2x TC thats a 1000mm :t:

Indeed I mainly use a 500 f4 with a 1.4x tc for my bird photography, but I do also use shorter lenses on occassions. It took me many years to get to the point where I could afford this lens, in that time I used other shorter, lower quality lenses. If I'd not spent money on those other lenses than I may have got to the 500 f4 a bit quicker, but I would have had years of not being able to get any bird photos.

When a poster comes on wanting advice between two lenses I don't understand why other gear is recommended, especially when it's 5x the price. It's like me coming on to a 100-400 vs 400 f5.6 thread and saying don't waste your money just save a bit more and get a 500 f4 or 600 f4 instead.

As I have said on another thread recently perhaps we all (and I include myself in here) need to get over this (UK) obsession with frame filling close ups being the best bird shots. I really wish that I could train myself to take more environmental shots, they can be extremely effective. Sure using a 255/300mm lens will limit your options, but it doesn't mean that you cannot get good bird shots.

[Macswede]

My wife has the 55-250mm and gets surprisingly good results with her 400D. I think it gives great value for money.

[JohnZ]

Terry, Do not be sorry for having an opinion. However the original poster has said that he is on very limited funds. If you care to look at the pics that Grahams missus has got with her 55-250mm lens then possibly you may change your mind ?

[AC/DC]

I think you misread Postcardcv's post
'if in the future you upgrade to a longer lens something like the 55-250 will still be a useful walkabout/general lens. '
He means if you upgrade to a longer lens, then the 55-250 will still have uses, not that the longer lens to upgrade to should be the 55-250.

I suppose its all about field-craft and camogear if you have a 250mm lens, I don't see many bird pics on the gallery taken with a 250 that are good IQ and sharp, look at all the birds taken with a 500 f4 brilliant images


That doesn't mean that sharp images with the lens are impossible, just that amongst BF gallery users it isn't a popular lens. As for all the 500 f/4 images being brilliant, quite simply they are not. I have known people with this lens and 1d bodies who didn't even know how to set the gear up for continuous shooting. Good sharp images with shorter lenses are every bit as possible as with longer lenses, just that you will have to work a lot harder for the same images - which a lot of people don't want to do, so instead pay the greater cost. Of course, in some cases, a short lens + more work can't replace a longer lens - e.g in a hide.

[hollis_f]

I'm with Pete here - any lens is going to get you better shots than no lens at all. If I'd have waited until I could afford a 100-400, rather than getting stuck in with a 70-300, then I'd have taken zero pics for a year.

For Sean - I've used the 75-300 and it sucks. Never used the 55-250 but it does get loads of good comments from users. So I'd go with the 55-250 while you wait for the lottery to pay up (or until you can save enough for something longer).

[The Actor]

I've got the 55-250 and you can get good birds pictures if you can get close enough. The fact that I couldn't get close enough half of the time convinced me that I need more reach so I've got a Sigma 150-500 but I still use the 55-250 as a walkabout/garden lens.

[BirderSean]

great feedback everyone, thanks for the discussion!

I like the advice to "eventually" save up for some good glass, but yeah, in the meantime I figured I'd spend the minor amount extra to get something servicable.

With my budget I was all set to get a 450D with kit lens plus the 55-250IS lens but then started reading reviews for the Panasonic Lumix G1. . .

arrrrrrgggghhhhhh!