High Rated Digital Cameras

This telephoto zoom lens is designed with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology while retaining compactness and lightness, in response to demands of photographers. This high zoom ratio lens is equivalent to a focal length of 88-400mm in the 35mm format (when used on Canon EOS cameras compatible with EF-S lenses), and the image stabilizer effect equivalent to a shutter speed about 4 stops faster than the same size lens without Image Stabilizer. In other words, if the slowest shutter speed you could formerly hold a 250mm lens steadily was 1/250th of a second, with Canon's 4-stop stabilization correction, you could hand-hold at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15th of a second. It also uses a UD-glass lens element to correct chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range. This new EF-S telephoto lens with great features delivers excellent performance at an affordable price for all photographers.

User Reviews about Canon EF-S 55-250mm f 4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Just got the camera as well and it works well with this lens. Most of my photos are of the scenery in the mountains of beautiful Western North Carolina. This lens helps me frame and select my images. Very nice. -- Good Lens for a good camera

I bought this item to improve my zoom range on a Canon XSI. I already had a Quantaray 70-300 which a friend sold me very cheap. Comparing between the two the Canon may be a bit shaper, but overall not really worth the extra money. I believe if I had gone to the next higher series (much more expensive) I would have noticed a different, but I don't see MUCH between the two for zoom range. I use both frequently though because the zoom ranges are still slightly different. If trying to choose a zoom I would suggest getting the cheaper Quantaray or Sigma. If you really want to go Canon get the next higher series lens. -- A so-so item.

I was very happy with the zoom lens I purchased. It gave me the chance to expand my photographic images. Very impressive picture quality, I am completely happy with this purchase and would recommend it for everyone who loves photography. -- 55-250mm Zoom Lens

I've only had the lens for a short time, bought at same time as the Canon T2i to pick up where the 18-55 kit lens leaves off, but have taken some very good photos with it.

However, I learned taking photos at the Patriots vs Rams pre-season game that I will never get "pro" quality photos with in when shooting sports in the burst mode, at least not at night. Actually, night games for the pros are far different than high school teams because lighting was very good. With this lens the camera had no complaint with f5.6, shutter speed of 400, and ISO 1600. But the best shots were when there was a momentary pause in the fast action and of people in the background watching the action because a shutter speed of 400 was not fast enough to get crisp shots of moving people.

Actually, with post processing, most of the game shots are fine for personal enjoyment. But few would cut the mustard for more ambitious use.

Earlier I might have given the lens a 4, maybe even a 3, because of my game experience, but since the game I have learned a lot about lenses and I now know that the photos I got were the best I could expect from this f4.0-5.6 lens.

In day time settings, I have consistently gotten clear, sharp shots but have not yet tried shooting kiteboarders, something I enjoy doing. However, my expectation is that I will, because when the game started at 7:30 pm and there was still some daylight as well as the lights, I was able to shoot with a shutter speed of 500 and lower ISO. Based on this, I believe in sunlight that I will get the shutter speed I need. If that does not prove to be true, I will update this review.

I have not tried the lens in low light, but my guess is this is not the best choice for low light either because the lens does not let in enough light.

In summary, for what I do most of the time, this lens is excellent. And I really appreciate the image stabilizer. If I were going to shoot a lot of night football I would start saving for an f2.8 lens, but they are quite expensive. -- Great Value for a f4.0-5.6 lenss

For an image stabilization lens, this is an excellent price. It takes great pictures and the zoom range is good. -- Works very well. Excellent price