Best "non L" telephoto - 70-300mm?

[trossit]

I am looking to purchase a new or used Canon Telephoto zoom and was hoping I could get a recoimmnedation on best bang for the buck. I can't really justiffy the expense for an L lens as I want to keep the cost under $300.  What Canon (metal mount) tele-zoom (70 - 300mm range )would you recommend?  I want something that can take sharp bird and wildlife pictures at its max focal length.  I am currently using a crop-sensor camera, the Canon 30D.  

Thanks.

[jrhoffman75]

I recommend you check out the 70-300 USM II non-L lens.

[shadowsports]

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@jrhoffman75 wrote:

I recommend you check out the 70-300 USM II non-L lens.

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+1 for John's recommendation.  Here it is.

[kvbarkley]

The EF-S 55-250 is no slouch, but not as good as the 70-300 II.

[trossit]

The 70-300 USM II does seem like a good quality lens...ty.

[trossit]

I tried the EFS 55-250 STM and was impressed with its sharpness and contrast.  When taking pictures of wildlife it was great...very sharp but when I took pictures of geometric shapes, cars, buildings, planes....it seemed a little off.  Maybe too much barrel distortion?  It reminded me of a high-quality lens you migh find on a non-detachable lens camera...such as the Sureshot.

[kvbarkley]

Distortion should be correctable. You can turn it on in-camera for JPEGs or use it in DPP for Raws.

[jrhoffman75]

The 55-250 is a good lens. I had one. But the 70-300 is longer and usable if one upgrades to a FF body.

[trossit]

John...there are 3 versions of the 55-250 the 1st, the II, and the STM.  Which version did you have?

[ebiggs1]

I call the decision between those two as a toss up. Do you want a bit longer tele or a bit wider end? Optically and build they are close.