What should I do ?

So I came home yesterday and my lovely wife bought me an early Christmas gift, a canon ef 75-300mm zoom lens, I was pretty blown away since she knew I've been waiting to buy a new lens. Anyways, the main reason I wanted it was to shoot more outdoor pictures ( I.E wildlife ) . This is my first zoom lens and noticed right away, at 300mm the camera is almost impossible to keep still.

So my question is, I saw the 55-250 IS lens, I'm curious if you guys recommend taking this back, looking 50mm of zoom but picking up the IS feature ?

I've never had a camera lens with the IS feature, is it a huge difference ? Is the 50mm worth loosing ?

now i have read that the 55-250 is what you want.. i heard.. rumor.. the 70-300 isnt that good...
does it have IS? if not you will want a monopod or tripod... i love my nifty two fifty... as it also has IS.. wish it was a 300 but 250 will do.. (400 on a crop)..

forgot to say this.. i would explain to her or let her read this..
while it is a great thought.. and she was trying to be nice.. she didnt get a list from you.. knowing that you would do your research....

id explain nicely that you appreciate the thought.. and a better choice is... 55-250... and that it has IS... (not sure how much she paid... the nifty should be less than $200.....)

The OP stated that he got a 75-300 not the 70-300. The 70-300 is not too bad. I did own one but I did trade it for the 70-200L F4 IS. I do have a 300L F4 IS for wildlife.

I know very little about the 55-250. Pretty new on the market so there is not a lot of info on it yet. Here is one site.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com …=362&sort=7&cat​=27&page=4

If you are getting into wildlife I think 50mm will make a difference. 300mm is considered the short end of wildlife photography. 400mm starts to get you in the serious wildlife range.

IS makes a difference and will stabilize the subject when you are holding it. But people shoot without it all the time.

What is your budget by the way? Can you spend a little more?

Actually based on the images on that link I provided look not too bad. I think it is better than what I have seen from 75-300 which was not Canons best lens. Depending on your budget loosing the 50mm may be worth it for the IQ. I would take IQ over everything else any day. Most of the reviewers say it is a little soft at 250mm.

Here is the 75-300. Clearly the 55-250 did better.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com …t=18&sort=7&cat​=27&page=3

digital paradise wrote in post #13411364
The OP stated that he got a 75-300 not a the 70-300.

oops.. thanks for clearing that up for me

No problem. Easy to mix that one up and the newer 70-300IS is has far better IQ.

I'd rather lose 50 on the long end and pick up IS and a considerable amount of sharpness. The 75-300 is not a good lens, take it back, and then kiss your lovely wife twice.

She paid $199 at target, noticed best buy has it for even cheaper, the 55-250 with IS is $219 at best buy right now . I just don't wanna spend around $600 for this type of lens because I don't think it will be a primary lens, or else I'd look into the 75-300mm with IS.

Side note, I actually went to best buy to buy a camcorder today and I tried the 55-250 with IS, such a bigger difference, I think I'm ok loosing the extra 50mm.

For that price and your budget this is a wise decision.

digital paradise wrote in post #13411372
Actually based on the images on that link I provided look not too bad. I think it is better than what I have seen from 75-300 which was not Canons best lens. Depending on your budget loosing the 50mm may be worth it for the IQ. I would take IQ over everything else any day. Most of the reviewers say it is a little soft at 250mm.

Does IQ stand for IS .

And she understands and isn't upset at all, budget is around $200 to $300, if it wasn't I'd spend around $700 but I don't see it being a primary lens and can't justify spending that.

I mainly wanted it for outdoor events, we make a lot of zoo trips and would be nice to get a little closer on the animals.

90blackcrx wrote in post #13413742
Does IQ stand for IS .

And she understands and isn't upset at all, budget is around $200 to $300, if it wasn't I'd spend around $700 but I don't see it being a primary lens and can't justify spending that.

I mainly wanted it for outdoor events, we make a lot of zoo trips and would be nice to get a little closer on the animals.

IQ stands for image quality, a combination of sharpness, contrast, and color vibrancy.

I have both lenses and the 55-250 kicks the 75-300's butt.