To buy or not to buy the new EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

[marky]

Hi, this is my first post to this forum.

I recently bought a G3 and found it did not focus well due to a poor AF system. It was returned and I upgraded to the DRebel kit.

First Question, when I shake the DRebel (power on or off) with mild wrist action I hear a soft rattle inside, like the mirrow has a little play in it. Is this a defect or normal?

Second, should I get the the new EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM or spend more $ and get the 70-200 L or something else? I want to take family pictures at gatherings, some landscape, and some sport action. I plan to get the 50mm f/1.8 for protraits as its small, cheap, and you guys love it. But, I also want some telephoto. Canon touts the new EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM as matched to the kits EF-S 18-55. So, as a beginner who nees to learn composition, shooting technique, etc., I'm tempted to "learn" with the $280 EF 55-200, but if its junk I'll pass and get something better. Any thoughts?

Many thanks to the many members of this forum who have already tought me so much.

[ssim]

I can't attest to the quality of the 55-200 but I do have the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM. This is a great lens if you can go the extra $$$ to get it.

I made the mistake when I firs got my 10D of buying some general USM type lenses and finding that I wasn't happy enough with the quality. I then reinvested in the L glass to get that quality. To me it was worth every penny spent.

S

[eric1]

the rattle is in the flash. it shoudn't do it with the flash up. mine does this too. theres a loose fitting spring or
clip in there.

thanks,
eric1

[marky]

Thank you for finding my rattle!

[timnelsonic]

There is a sensor inside the DRebel for detecting if you are shooting in portrait or landscape mode. This also causes a noise when you move the camera. Canon mentions this in the manual and, sure enough, it is pretty obvious once you are listening for it.

[boBquincy]

The rattle appears to be the stamped metal arms that hold up the flash.

I have the older 55-200 (version I) and it is surprisingly good for what it cost ($100).
It can't stand up to my 70-200 f4 L but when stopped down to f8 it is pretty sharp. Check the MTF and you'l see that the smaller sensor avoids the worst part of this lens, the edge performance. This is not surprising considering it was originally designed for Canon's APS SLR.

I can post a sample photo from the 55-200 when I get home.


boB

[Andy_T]

I don't own any of these lenses.

However, the database at http://www.photozone.de rates them both:
- 70-200/4 L at 4.17 (3) = very-good
- 55-200 USM at 2.35 (3) = sub-average

The difference should be noticeable.
Always remember, the lens stays with you when the camera has long passed...

Regards,
Andy

[boBquincy]

Here's one taken with a D30 and 55-200.
Settings: 200mm, 1/500, f9.5, IS)200, sharpness normal (no additional sharpening applied).

n:\wdw 02 may d30 14\monday 06 may\IMG_3272_800.jpg

Not likely to be mistaken for L series but not bad for the price.


boB

[2new]

check out my post; same question:

55-200MM f/4.5-5.6 II - Reviews?

After being home sick for the past 2 days I had the time to read 100's of posts and dozens of lens reviews, and the common theme is you get what you pay for.

As far as the consumer lens category goes, I purchased a used 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II for under $70 from B&H to hold me over while I save for the 70-200mm f/4 L.

The 80-200 has some decent reviews for a consumer lens, but the more I read there is no substitute for Pro glass whether it be Canon or other.

[boBquincy]

I was wondering about that, apparently if I map the image to my hard drive I can see it but no one else can. If I put the image on my website it works fine.


[img]http://mindspring.com/~bobquincy/IMG_3272_800.jpg[img]

[boBquincy]

Oh, btw, it works *if* you type in the string correctly!
I posted this correctly to the other 55-200 thread.