Canon 55-250 mm f/4-5.6 EF S IS Lens

Having difficulty deciding.

What do ya'll think of the Canon instead of the Tamron 18-270?

55-250

I cant tell you about the 18-270, but I own the 55-250, I like it. It's a good starter zoom lens

The tamron is much better in the 18-54mm range...

tkbslc wrote in post #7637922
The tamron is much better in the 18-54mm range...

I have a Canon 18-55 so I am looking for a good everyday lens. I have the Quantaray 70-300, but I think that is a bit big for everyday carry.

tkbslc wrote in post #7637922
The tamron is much better in the 18-54mm range...

Easy on the subjective statements here!

The Canon is a good lens, the recent photos on my flickr account is evidence to that, though on some of them, I am using a color polarizer with it, albeit, hasn't altered the fact it is a good lens in your equipment bag

400dabuser wrote in post #7638251
The Canon is a good lens, the recent photos on my flickr account is evidence to that, though on some of them, I am using a color polarizer with it, albeit, hasn't altered the fact it is a good lens in your equipment bag

I'm impressed. Those kinda answer the question of it being a "good" everyday lens!

Would I generally have a need then to carry the 18-55?

Scenario: Going on a cruise; get off the ship in several ports; don't want to carry a heavy bag; want something I can keep a close eye on.

The 55-250 fits the bill?

No one in town has the lens, so I will have to order it tonight to have it shipped overnight, leaving Friday. Ugh!

No, if you want one lens, go with the Tamron 18-270. The 55-250 is not wide enough for everything. You might be able to get away with a 28-135, but 55 is way too long on a crop sensor camera to be an everything lens, unless you are positive you will always be able to step back ALOT.

Thanks so much for that tidbit. I had thought about a 28-135, but didn't think it would provide reach.

I guess too, I don't want to spend a passel of money and then find out I bought the wrong thing.

I am sure lenses are like camera bags, there just isn't a perfect one out there!!!!

tawcat wrote in post #7638728
I am sure lenses are like camera bags, there just isn't a perfect one out there!!!!

Exactly, it is all about compromises. If you only shoot one thing in one condition, there might be a perfect lens, but nobody does that.

I was in the same situation as you are. I owned the 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS. That combo is nice, and inexpensive, as well as light. It also offers surprisingly good IQ. BUT I hated changing lenses and was also concerned about the plastic lens mount of those lenses wearing out. I also missed good shots on occasion because of focal length issues.

Then I bought the Tamron 18-270 VC. My first copy was not perfect, it occasionally missed focus slightly for no apparent reason. I confirmed that by tests then I had it exchanged by the retailer. My second copy performs as well as this lens can.
You might have already read this in the 18-270 thread in the Lens Sample Archive topic.

Anyway, since I owned all 3 lenses for a month or so, I posted a bunch of comparison photos in the Lens Sample Archive between the Canon 18-55 IS + 55-250 IS and the Tamron 18-270 VC. Check them out. The Tamron performed very good in comparison (still lost by a tiny bit though )

I eventually sold my Canons and still have the Tamron.

And even though I also own the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS, the Tamron is on my camera 90% of the time.

I am pretty trained in post processing and also know the capabilities of my Tamron, so I'm perfectly ok with this lens.
In my opinion it's great for vacations and stuff. I was really happy with it on my Tampa vacation. I was glad I didn't have to change lenses all the time at the windy, salty beach.

p.s. I did manage to buy my Tamron for $450.00 new from Auth. Dealer, which was a very nice deal back then. I bought it using 25% off through Microsoft's Live.com cashback. So in my case the Tamron was not much more expensive than the combined price of the 2 Canon lenses.

The current live cashback is 14%. Cameraspot still sells these Tamrons on Ebay for $588.00 free shipping. 14% off is $82.36. So you can buy it for about $506.00 and that retailer is authorized, I bought mine from them, very good dealer.

Gabebalazs: Fortunately I can purchase through the military AAFES system, which saves tax and shipping. I believe the Tamron it will be.

Thank you to all that have offered insight. I will post again when my purchase decision is final.

That's great, good for you. Good luck.

I think you will be very pleased with the 18-270.