28-135mm EF vs. 55-250mm EF-S, please help me understand crop factor.

[klavender]

Sorry for the newbie question but I've searched Google and couldn't really understand this. I have a 40D with a 28-135mm EF lens. I understand this is a APS-C camera and since the lens is an EF that the effective zoom is 44-216mm. I would like to get more zoom but the EF-S telephoto is 55-250mm. 250mm doesn't seem like much more that 216mm and I'm not sure it's worth it. I've also looked at the EF 70-300mm which would be 112-480mm. It's twice as much money and would think I would want it slightly wider at the low end.

Also, if I go with the EF-S 55-250 would the STM be worth it over the standard? I want a quick focus as this will be used mainly for wildlife. How does the standard and STM compare to the USM of my current lens?

[klavender]

I wouldn't consider myself a serious birder. I just dabble. Lol. I want a decent all around use zoom. Amazon has a EF 75-300mm USM but not IS for $180. How important is IS considering I might not have the steadiest hands?

[ScottyP]

Don't get the 75-300. Bad image quality. Either the 55-250 or the 70-300 are better. Or spend more for some of the other suggestions.

[klavender]

Ok, after way too much reading. I'm pretty much decided on the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM. The STM seems to be just as fast as the USM. And is said to be sharper than the 70-300mm. It's said to be a very good lens for the money. As much as I try and talk myself into spending more money, I just can't do it. I really do appreciate everyone's help and advice.

[Waddizzle]

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@klavender wrote:

Ok, after way too much reading. I'm pretty much decided on the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM. The STM seems to be just as fast as the USM. And is said to be sharper than the 70-300mm. It's said to be a very good lens for the money. As much as I try and talk myself into spending more money, I just can't do it. I really do appreciate everyone's help and advice.

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Don't buy it from Amazon, or eBay.  Buy it with a one year warranty from the Canon Online Refurbished store, which currently has it discounted by 50%.  See the link to the store at the lower right corner of these forum pages.

[klavender]

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@Waddizzle wrote:

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@klavender wrote:

Ok, after way too much reading. I'm pretty much decided on the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM. The STM seems to be just as fast as the USM. And is said to be sharper than the 70-300mm. It's said to be a very good lens for the money. As much as I try and talk myself into spending more money, I just can't do it. I really do appreciate everyone's help and advice.

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Don't buy it from Amazon, or eBay.  Buy it with a one year warranty from the Canon Online Refurbished store, which currently has it discounted by 50%.  See the link to the store at the lower right corner of these forum pages.

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Awesome! Just ordered it for $130!!!!!! With the same warranty as new and a 14 day return policy if I don't like it. You definitely can't beat it for that kind of money.

[ebiggs1]

"Don't buy it from Amazon, ..."

This is excellent advise. Don't buy any camera gear from Amazon.  Now for ebay that is another story. If you know what you are doing and the item, you can make a good deal.

[TTMartin]

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@klavender wrote:

I bought this camera years ago for a good deal from a friend who was upgrading to a full frame. This was before I really understood the difference. This camera is better than my ability. I guess I have too many exspensive hobbies without the matching funding. I've toyed with the idea of buying a used full frame instead of buying a zoom lens. But then I'd still be without a zoom. It's hard for me to justify spending the money when this is a once in a while hobby for me. Combined with that fact that I tend to overthink things. Just trying to get the most out of my dollar. It sounds like I just need to get the 55-250mm EF-S STM lens and be happy with it. I just wish it came in USM. Or they had a comprable USM for about the same money. It's $300 versus $450 (for the 70-300mm EF). Thank to everyone for their insight. I really appreciate it.

On second thought, maybe I should just spend the extra $150.

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Nope, the 55-250 IS STM is a much better lens, and STM focus for still photographs, while not as fast as USM, is fast enough. STM focus has to be slowed for video, it's not always slow.

As for needing a longer lens, yes it seems like you can never have too long of a lens for birding. A good budget lens for birding with the 40D is the Sigma 150-500 OS, my wife used this combo until getting my hand me down 7D. She still uses the Sigma 150-500 OS with the 7D. The Sigma 150-500 is not their latest and greatest, but, is still a pretty decent lens.

The other thing you can do when you are focal length challenged is get closer to the birds. You can do this by setting up a feeding station so they come closer to you, or camo or blinds so you can get closer to them.

[TTMartin]

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@Waddizzle wrote:

Don't buy it from Amazon, or eBay.  Buy it with a one year warranty from the Canon Online Refurbished store, which currently has it discounted by 50%.  See the link to the store at the lower right corner of these forum pages.

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While I agree with the eBay part, I've bought a lot of gear from Amazon. Other than occasional under padding lenses for shipment which they quickly accepted a return (they paid the return shipping). There are 3rd party sellers on Amazon which I would avoid, but, I've had zero issues with orders fulfilled by Amazon (Prime), and issues were quickly resolved with a no hassle return. 

[ebiggs1]

The Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens has been discontinued.  It was some time ago. The only resource for one now is used. Possibly not the best lens to buy on the used market. Lot's of problems.

The Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens for Canon is, or at least was the last I saw, still available but it isn't cheap.  Not in my book anyway.  Either one is an OK lens but neither is a great lens.

[ScottyP]

These telephoto lenses get expensive quick.  Birds are infamously cheap and will seldom pay a dime, even for a first rate portrait. 

Unless  you have a lot of money and a serious interest in birding just work on getting close to the birds instead of getting a monster lens. 

Go to the birds.

Our aviary in Pittsburgh has a room painted sky blue which is full of fake branches. And birds. You walk right in and you compose the shot of a bird 6-12 feet away and use a wide aperture to blur out the background and it looks like you were outdoors with a high power lens. 

Bring the birds to you.

Also you can set up a feeder outside a window. Paper the window over leaving just a shooting hole so the birds don't see you. Hang a dead branch near the feeder for them to sit on so you don't have the feeder in every shot.