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]

Great information. Thanks everybody. I guess I'll live with it and turn IS off when on the tripod.

[ebiggs1]

"Canon IS...per Canon's writeup, for certain lenses" "When in doubt, turn IS off."

Yet again I report on what I personally see in my use of the gear.  It is not from some report or others review.  I shoot both the big Sigma and Tamron.  I rarely turn IS off.  if it makes any difference it is slight to none. If you feel you need to turn it off there is a switch for just that purpose.

I also see reports from others that claim the lens is sharper with IS turned off.  But this, too, seems to be somewhat faulty.  if it does make a lens sharper with IS off, it to is again slight to none.

You see you can't make a snap observation because you got a photo, or even several, that was better with IS off.  You need to make many, many photos.  And over differing situations and circumstances.

[ebiggs1]

" I guess I'll live with it and turn IS off when on the tripod."

Your lens is probably on the outside limit of acceptable.  I would return it and re-order another one.  Like I said that IS issue is likely the reason the lens wound up in the refurb store.  The first purchaser did not like it and returned it.  I have never had a Canon lens jump the focus like yours is but I have had and seen many third party lenses do that.

[diverhank]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

You see you can't make a snap observation because you got a photo, or even several, that was better with IS off.  You need to make many, many photos.  And over differing situations and circumstances.

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Does a couple thousands count? :).  I'm a BIF shooter. I take a thousand per outing. I'm also an engineer, I understand statistics.

[ebiggs1]

A birder with a 55-250?  OK!

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

" I guess I'll live with it and turn IS off when on the tripod."

Your lens is probably on the outside limit of acceptable.  I would return it and re-order another one.  Like I said that IS issue is likely the reason the lens wound up in the refurb store.  The first purchaser did not like it and returned it.  I have never had a Canon lens jump the focus like yours is but I have had and seen many third party lenses do that. 

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I dunno, Ernie. If you haven't done so already, go to the "General Camera Discussion" board and read the articles that Waddizzle unearthed overnight about Canon's IS systems. To me they seem to suggest that the behavior of the OP's lens is normal.

[klavender]

I wouldn't call myself a birder so I don't know how this thread turned into that. More along the lines of general wildlife/nature scenery. Besides the 55-250mm is really a 88-400mm lens on my crop camera. I'm trying to do what I can on a limited budget. I can't justify spending $1,000 on a lens for a sometimes hobby. I'm going to call Canon about this lens and see what they say. Like I've mentioned before about the IS shift, it's not a big deal. I just found it odd.

[TTMartin]

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@klavender wrote:

I wouldn't call myself a birder so I don't know how this thread turned into that. More along the lines of general wildlife/nature scenery. Besides the 55-250mm is really a 88-400mm lens on my crop camera. I'm trying to do what I can on a limited budget. I can't justify spending $1,000 on a lens for a sometimes hobby. I'm going to call Canon about this lens and see what they say. Like I've mentioned before about the IS shift, it's not a big deal. I just found it odd.

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Exactly, there are some people on this forum who seem to think the only solution to photography is to throw money at it. You most certainly can get some great bird and wildlife shots with an EF-S 55-250 IS STM.

The first key to great wildlife shots is to have a camera with you, and getting out in nature. And the EF-S 55-250 IS STM is a great lens to make that happen. Carrying around a 6+lb lens, and other gear gets old. And it also limits your stelthyness, and ability to react quickly. And it certainly makes the camera the focus of the hike rather than enjoying the nature around you. For some people that's ok, and for others it's not. 

Oh, and not wanting to use IS on a tripod is perfectly normal.
 

[TTMartin]

A few under 250mm from this year.

195mm 

211mm

240mm

240mm

240mm

[Waddizzle]

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@RobertTheFat wrote:

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

" I guess I'll live with it and turn IS off when on the tripod."

Your lens is probably on the outside limit of acceptable.  I would return it and re-order another one.  Like I said that IS issue is likely the reason the lens wound up in the refurb store.  The first purchaser did not like it and returned it.  I have never had a Canon lens jump the focus like yours is but I have had and seen many third party lenses do that. 

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I dunno, Ernie. If you haven't done so already, go to the "General Camera Discussion" board and read the articles that Waddizzle unearthed overnight about Canon's IS systems. To me they seem to suggest that the behavior of the OP's lens is normal.

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It is normal behavior for that lens.  I own one, and bought another for my son to use with his T3i when he and his friends rented a weekend cabin on a lake, deep in the Iowa backwoods somewhere.

The articles describe exactly what the OP has observed, and what I have also observed with the lens..