Best sub-$300 zoom lens

Pictures from a $300 lens.

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mwilleman wrote in post #11284733
Just curious on what everyones opinion is on the best sub-$300 zoom lense. I'm new to photography and would like to add another zoom lens to my bag. All I currently have is the 18-55 kit lens and a 50mm f/1.8. I'm looking for something longer than my 18-55 if possible. Thanks.

well tamron 28-75 is good but not really all that much longer

lots of stuff starts popping up at $400-500 but at sub-$300 it is tricky

maybe a used 100-300L if you can still find one or a 55-250 IS?
I'm pretty sure I got my 100-300L back in 2005 for around $300 used. (have since sold it) slow af and no IS but it does have nice color and contrast at 300mm which most of the non $$$$$ stuff can't claim


maybe one of the old non-L slower apeture 70-210 types, but I don't know enough to say which are the good ones and which bad and how easy they still are to find

if you have the 18-55 non-IS the IS version doesn't cost too much and is a nice upgrade

oh some people were getting tamron 70-300 VC after $50 rebate and some coupons for newegg and a 2% cashback offer and so on all combined together to bring it down to like nearly $350, not sure if any of that is still happening though, i think it might have just been for a couple days and perhaps it was $375


anyway an 18-55 IS + 55-250 IS is certainly not a bad starter kit by any means!

Yeah, the 18-55 I have does have IS. I'm getting the 55-250 IS, I was really impressed by the photos on the lens sample pages.

I've owned the 55 250 for three years and love it sharp as a tack and good colors.Also well built ( even though plastic ) took it off roading for over 6 weeks in desert high winds super fine sand and rocks rocks rocks. this lens was not babied but also not abused.and it was well maintained(kept clean).
highly recommended
but currently I am debaiting on upgrade to either f4 is or 2.8 non is 70 /200. as an amiture no compelling reason to upgrade except that i've replaced the kit 18/55 with a tamaron f2.8 17 55 non is and i am amazed at how much better the images are in all respects ie sharpness ,dof , boken, color, focus etc. so i got to believe same would apply with this range of telephoto leaning towards the f4 is

used 28-135

I think I want a little longer focal range then the 135.

eb314 wrote in post #11285156
Yes, the 55-250 is your only choice here really. It's superior to everything in that price range.

I'd look for a nice copy of the Canon 70-210 f/3.5 lens over the 55-250 IS. It's better optically, has a better build, and has faster AF... plus, if you look around you should be able to find it for ~$150. (there's a copy for sale right now on the Denver CL for $100)

55-250. Good beginner zoom!

: )

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eb314 wrote in post #11285156
Yes, the 55-250 is your only choice here really. It's superior to everything in that price range.

nothing else even comes close at that price point. some even say at a higher price point!


XSi (450D) with Canon 55-250IS at 250mm

Nice picture! I'm excited. I'm ordering mine soon, along with a couple of Hoya multicoated UV Haze filters and lens hoods for my 18-55 and new 55-250. Does the older lens people are talking about have IS? I'm not sure I could handle a long zoom lens without IS.

mwilleman wrote in post #11291495
Nice picture! I'm excited. I'm ordering mine soon, along with a couple of Hoya multicoated UV Haze filters and lens hoods for my 18-55 and new 55-250. Does the older lens people are talking about have IS? I'm not sure I could handle a long zoom lens without IS.

IS is definitely useful with longer focal lengths. (I would NOT use a UV filter on the 55-250IS )

Another +1 for the 55-250. Good price and very happy with the IQ - especially given that it's not a focal range I use to often, so ultimately one of the 70-200's would be a bit of a waste, even if the IQ is generally accepted to be better.

watt100 wrote in post #11289210
nothing else even comes close at that price point. some even say at a higher price point!


XSi (450D) with Canon 55-250IS at 250mm

Nice shot! Did you do any PP on it?

Refurbished 55-250mm at Adorama

The lens runs $200 with free shipping from Adorama. I have been very happy with the gear I bought refurbished and this is the way I will buy future gear if it is available as refurbs.

http://www.adorama.com​/CA55250AFSR.html

Adorama indludes their own warranty on Canon refurbished gear which extends the Canon 90 day warranty up to a year; matching the warranty on new lenses. I never needed to use either the Canon 90-day or Adorama extended warranties. My refurbished gear (30D and 40D cameras) has worked flawlessly.

BTW: Use part the money you save to buy a Chinese lenshood from eBay. I use these hoods on all my lenses which were not supplied with OEM hoods...

http://cgi.ebay.com …ories&hash=item​35a2148ffc

You can also get a hood for your 18-55mm if you don't already own one.

smmokan wrote in post #11288670
I'd look for a nice copy of the Canon 70-210 f/3.5 lens over the 55-250 IS. It's better optically, has a better build, and has faster AF... plus, if you look around you should be able to find it for ~$150. (there's a copy for sale right now on the Denver CL for $100)

I think the 70-210 f3.5-4.5 USM and the 55-250 IS are the only telephoto lenses under $300 worth getting. MAYBE a Sigma 70-300 APO, but only if you are super interested in 1:2 macro.