55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Refurbished a steal or what...?

Canon has the 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Refurbished on sale for 129.99 right now...this seems like a good buy, but before I do, at what cost will it be for a lens with that reach or more that is better?

I'd guess to get better at 250 or longer, the next rung up would be the Tamron 70-300VC or Canon 70-300L

From all accounts of the 55-250stm capability, it is a steal at that price. Anything better and/or longer is going be considerably more as you are then getting into 70-300L or 100-400L territory.

ct1co2 wrote in post #17669638
From all accounts of the 55-250stm capability, it is a steal at that price. Anything better and/or longer is going be considerably more as you are then getting into 70-300L or 100-400L territory.

My sentiments exactly. My wife uses the 55-250 STM and other than the length, it's a fine lens. I have both the 70-300L and the 100-400ii and you would need one of those, in my opinion, if you wanted more length and the best quality.... at least, for Canon lenses. You could look into the newer Tamron and Sigma telephoto zooms that go to 600mm.

The 70-300L is available used but in pristine condition for amazing prices at the moment because some are upgrading to the 100-400ii. I was going to sell mine but it's such a great lens, I couldn't part with it. Our youngest son is using it at the moment and loves it.

Refurbished , used or new, its a great bang for the buck.... Don't hesitate ...
The 70-300Lis is another option but much more expensive.

Agree with Phoenixkh the SIGMA C or TAMRON 150-600 would also be a great option for about $800-$1000 range depending used or on sale etc.

This is what the 55-250STM can do. So long as 250mm is all the length you will need...

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Thank you all for responding. I will be watching the 70-300L but looks like I will most likely get the 55-250.

My only problem with the 55-250 is having that and my 18-135...I guess it will just be 2 lens I will have to carry and depending on my needs, use one or the other.

kezug wrote in post #17669860
Thank you all for responding. I will be watching the 70-300L but looks like I will most likely get the 55-250.

My only problem with the 55-250 is having that and my 18-135...I guess it will just be 2 lens I will have to carry and depending on my needs, use one or the other.

Why is that a problem? You posting this thread here basically put a gun to my head and forced me to buy one of these, at that price. They're too good and useful to NOT have at that price. The 18-135 handles general use; the 55-250 handles reach. No issues have some overlap there.

kezug wrote in post #17669097
Canon has the 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Refurbished on sale for 129.99 right now...this seems like a good buy, but before I do, at what cost will it be for a lens with that reach or more that is better?

Is this the very latest version of this lens, or one of the previous versions?

Tom Reichner wrote in post #17669883
Is this the very latest version of this lens, or one of the previous versions?

the STM is the very latest version...they also have the II version for sale for $100...but i don't know why anyone would go for that over the STM for such a small difference

LonelyBoy wrote in post #17669880
Why is that a problem? You posting this thread here basically put a gun to my head and forced me to buy one of these, at that price. They're too good and useful to NOT have at that price. The 18-135 handles general use; the 55-250 handles reach. No issues have some overlap there.

Loneyboy gave you good advice, the 18-135 will be on your camera for general walk around, the 55-250 is reached for when you need reach beyond 135. however you should not really look at it as it is to much of a repetitive lens to the 18-135, as one covers some of what the other doesn't. There will be times where you will only want to use the 55-250.. You could shoot street, wildlife and landscape with it, oh and get some very nice marco shots with it.

I bought my 55-250mm STM as a refurb from Canon back in January for $180.00, so indeed, I would be quick about buying one at that fantastic $129.00 price!

DreDaze wrote in post #17669891
the STM is the very latest version...they also have the II version for sale for $100...but i don't know why anyone would go for that over the STM for such a small difference

Well, then, I would say, "YES"! It is "steal", as these lenses are currently selling for $299 at B&H.
And remember that most "refurbished" lenses have never been sold or used - they are, in fact, brand new lenses.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #17669939
Well, then, I would say, "YES"! It is "steal", as these lenses are currently selling for $299 at B&H.
And remember that most "refurbished" lenses have never been sold or used - they are, in fact, brand new lenses.

and refurbished comes with the same 1 year warranty as new.

anscochrome wrote in post #17669936
I bought my 55-250mm STM as a refurb from Canon back in January for $180.00, so indeed, I would be quick about buying one at that fantastic $129.00 price!

It was $140-something after tax and shipping. Still amazing - they don't come up often on the classifieds here, and when they do they're often over $200.

So yes, bought one. OP is a jerk for pointing it out. Now I need a 7D2 to use it with.

Jerk.

Wow, that's ridiculously cheap for a lens with really good IQ and very light weight. Mount that on an SL1 and you have a great backpacking kit with some reach without a lot of weight.

SL1 using AI Servo and the 55-250STM.

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