Which Canon telephoto zoom is the better buy on a Rebel T3i: EF-S 55-250 IS, EF 70-300 IS, or EF 75-300?
Asked 5/17/2013
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I’m choosing a telephoto lens for a Canon Rebel T3i and I’m comparing the Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS, EF 70-300mm IS, and EF 75-300mm. I noticed the 75-300 is much cheaper than the 70-300, and I’m trying to understand whether that’s mainly because of image stabilization or also because of optical quality.
Questions:
- Why is there such a big price difference between the EF 75-300 and EF 70-300?
- How important is image stabilization at 250-300mm for handheld shooting?
- Does the 70mm vs 75mm starting focal length matter in real use?
- Since the 55-250 is EF-S and the others are EF, should that affect the decision on a T3i?
If I can’t afford the EF 70-300 IS, is the EF-S 55-250 IS the better choice over the EF 75-300?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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In my opinion, the EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 lenses are some of the very few lenses in Canon's current lineup which should be avoided (the others are the unstabilized 18-55 lenses, because the price premium for the stabilized version is so small). As can be seen from this review, it's not a good lens; all that applies to both the USM and non-USM variants. You'll get better images by purchasing the EF-S 55-250 and cropping for the extra length if you really need it; the EF-S 55-250 is surprisingly good optically given the price. The only real downsides are the slow focusing, the rotating front element and the build quality, and those aren't critical for a lot of photographers.
Note that none of the above criticisms of the 75-300 lenses apply to the EF 70-300 lens, which is a fine lens - but that's why you pay more for it.
As for the difference between EF and EF-S lenses, see this question. The very quick summary: don't worry about it unless you're intending to upgrade to a full-frame camera, and given that you're looking at low-end lenses here, probably not even then.
Originally by user11371. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11371
13y ago
0
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The big price gap is not just about IS. The EF 70-300 IS is also a notably better lens overall than the older EF 75-300 designs. The 75-300 series is generally considered one of Canon’s weaker telephoto zooms, while the EF-S 55-250 IS is surprisingly good for the price.
IS is very useful at 250-300mm for handheld shooting. At long focal lengths, camera shake is magnified, so stabilization can make a major difference for non-moving subjects. If you mostly shoot handheld, IS is a real advantage; if you always use a tripod, it matters much less.
The difference between 70mm and 75mm is minor in practice.
On a Rebel T3i, EF-S compatibility is not a drawback unless you specifically need a lens that will also fit Canon full-frame bodies. For your camera, the EF-S 55-250 IS is often the better value than the EF 75-300, even if you occasionally crop a bit to make up the difference in reach.
So if the EF 70-300 IS is out of budget, the safest recommendation is the EF-S 55-250 IS rather than the EF 75-300.
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