Which one would you buy (used) 55 250IS or 70 210 USM ?

I am thinking between these two.
I spent hours watching sample pictures and I like the 55 250IS better but plastic mount ? Poor build quality...
Opposed to the 70 210 USM (I can get it cheaper than 55-250IS) which is a long lasting one.
But I don't know, most of the sample pictures from the 70-210 are quite old (like the lens).

Right now I think I'll buy the 55 250 because of those nice sharp photos and IS. (I like to shoot handheld most of the time.) and maybe it is a little bit more versatile.

What are you opinions?

The 70-210 is pretty old and Canon wont offer repairs for it IF something happens to go wrong. It could become costly. At this point if you are looking at the 70-210 vs the 55-250mm you are still pretty new to photography. The 55-250mm will be a great choice for you. It is an awesome lens for the price. It's a little slow (f/stop doesn't go to a small number, therefore you get a slow shutter speed) but it's still worth adding. If I was to restart all over, I'd still go with the 55-250mm IS at the beginning.

I think it is a toss up. I have the 70-210 f/3.5-4.5. It is a very nice lens. A bit soft wide open but very usable. Very sharp at 5.6 and excellent from there up. Focus is very fast. I can also use it on my film body. You can't do that with the 55-250. I've never used the 55-250, but it is well liked by many.

Why would anyone repair these lenses anyway, would be far far cheaper to just go buy another.
I have no experience with the 55-250is but I hear it is nice and sharp but cheaply made and slow focus.
I own the 70-210usm and it has a very fast focus and is as sharp as my 24-70l at 70mm, colour and contrast are very good and I have no reason to trade it for a white lens,Build quality is lots better than the 55-250 and the zoom creep I cured by removing the rubber grip and tighting the three guide retaining screws and for $150 NZ it's a winner.

kawi_200 wrote in post #14228985
The 70-210 is pretty old and Canon wont offer repairs for it IF something happens to go wrong. It could become costly. At this point if you are looking at the 70-210 vs the 55-250mm you are still pretty new to photography. The 55-250mm will be a great choice for you. It is an awesome lens for the price. It's a little slow (f/stop doesn't go to a small number, therefore you get a slow shutter speed) but it's still worth adding. If I was to restart all over, I'd still go with the 55-250mm IS at the beginning.

same here, I've never used the 70-210 but the 55-250IS is sharp, good focal range, I use it for sports, air shows, BIF shots, etc.

Which one would you recommend for portraits and birding ?

USM for flying birds
55-250 IS for non-moving subjects

I'd take the 55-250. It's a great lens for the price, and the IS system is really effective.

Feryll wrote in post #14229631
Which one would you recommend for portraits and birding ?

ultimately you're going to want something longer for birds and a prime for portraits but the 55-250IS can do the job

XSi (450D)
Canon 55-250IS