Zoom Lens Recommendation for Rebel t7i

[SarelErwee]

Amateur/recreational photographer. I take pictures almost exclusively on hiking/outdoor excursion trips. After a trip to Alaska, I realized I need a zoom lens. What zoom lens would you recommend for photographing animals from a kayak or boat or for generally better/closer hiking photos?

EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III —- thoughts either of these?

I definitely want image stabilization and also want to stay in the lower price range. Thanks in advance!

[Tintype_18]

My T7 has the 75-300mm lens. Does good for a lot of shots but limited. However, I took the plunge recently and got the Sigma 150-600mm lens for my T7. Trying it out this afternoon at the sandhill crane migration spot outside of town. Can't say if it will fit your camera. Others will chime in here.

[kvbarkley]

The 55-250 is probably the better lens. And the 75-300 does not have IS.

[Tintype_18]

Never noticed my 75-300 didn't have IS until now.

[jrhoffman75]

The EF-S 55-250 is a much better lens to any of the Canon 75mm zoom lenses.

Canon currently has a refurbed version for $240.

[MikeSowsun]

If you are on a limited budget,  the EF-S 55-250 STM is also better than 70-300 USM II because it is half the cost, even though it has similar image quality. 

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

It might help if you told us what lenses you own now?

The things you'll need to consider.  How close are you able to get to your subjects.  

The 55~250 is a kit lens.  It offers good to very good clarity and is a popular more compact Zoom lens.  Its made specifically for your Rebel.

Other options include the 75~300 mkIII and the 70~300 USM II

First thing to note.  These are FF lenses and will yield approx 112 / 120 ~480mm focal length equivalent.

The 75 uses a DC motor.  This lens doesn't have image stabilization and provides avg optics.

The 70mm is a better lens.  It uses a USM motor, has image stabilization and provides good to better optics.  I own this lens and have taken many beautiful photos with it.  If you are going to be shooting from a small boat, having IS might be well worth the additional expense.  It costs more because it truly a better lens.

All of us here are happy to help you make a decision based on intended use, budget, etc.  Feel free to ask more questions.    

[kvbarkley]

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@shadowsports wrote:

Greetings,

First thing to note.  These are FF lenses and will yield approx 112 / 120 ~480mm focal length equivalent.

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All these lenses will have the exact same field of view at a given focal length. The difference is with the *camera sensor* not the lens.

[shadowsports]

Really bizarre.  I posted my reply around 6:30AM PST....  shows 3 hrs later...  but I'm in PST and Canon is in EST I suppose.  Anyway.

Hi KV,

Yes I understand the focal length of the lens remains 70/75 ~ 300, and that the image which is captured depends on the sensor (crop or FF).  

Thanks

[kvbarkley]

Do you understand that the field of view of the 55-250 is the same at equivalent focal lengths? You kind of implied that the EF-S has a different field of view than the EF lenses.