How important is IS?

[hawksbjammin]

EOS Rebel T5 bundle with 2 lenses, etc. for $500 seems like a pretty good buy. 70-300 lens lacks IS. Getting the same basic stuff with IS lens would cost about $175 more. Bundle will be a gift for 14-year-old daughter - first "real" camera. Is getting IS worth the additional $$? Thanks for considering.

[jrhoffman75 · Accepted solution]

In my opinion, for a teenager's first camera I would not pay a 35% premium for an IS lens.

[RobertTheFat · Accepted solution]

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@hawksbjammin wrote:

Robert,

Here's the package I'm looking at - pretty sure it's all Canon stuff:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-rebel-t5-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-and-75-300mm-lenses-black/10...

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Well, OK, but that package has a 75-300 lens, not the 70-300 you mentioned in your original article. They're different animals. And the two versions of the 75-300 differ from each other, as I read the specs, not in whether either has IS (neither does), but in the speed of the autofocus motor. My take would be that for your daughter's purposes, a faster autofocus motor would be worth more than IS. If that's actually the choice you're facing.

You'd better be sure you've done your homework before making a final decision.

[jrhoffman75 · Accepted solution]

In my opinion, for a teenager's first camera I would not pay a 35% premium for an IS lens.

[RobertTheFat]

I'm having a little trouble figuring out what the options are. The Canon site lists three 70-300 lenses, two of them a good deal more expensive, but all with IS. Is the proposed lens a refurb? Or even not a Canon lens?

[hawksbjammin]

Robert,

Here's the package I'm looking at - pretty sure it's all Canon stuff:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-rebel-t5-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-and-75-300mm-lenses-black/10...

[RobertTheFat · Accepted solution]

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@hawksbjammin wrote:

Robert,

Here's the package I'm looking at - pretty sure it's all Canon stuff:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-rebel-t5-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-and-75-300mm-lenses-black/10...

---

Well, OK, but that package has a 75-300 lens, not the 70-300 you mentioned in your original article. They're different animals. And the two versions of the 75-300 differ from each other, as I read the specs, not in whether either has IS (neither does), but in the speed of the autofocus motor. My take would be that for your daughter's purposes, a faster autofocus motor would be worth more than IS. If that's actually the choice you're facing.

You'd better be sure you've done your homework before making a final decision.

[cicopo]

There's more to the cost difference than IS alone. There are reviews of both here that may provide some guidance but considering it's a gift & maybe their first attempt at photography using a changable lens system they may very well just be happy with the extra range.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showcat.php/cat/27/page/2/sort/7/perpage/20/stype/

[hawksbjammin]

Thank you for replying. Very helpful.

[hawksbjammin]

Guess we're quickly uncovering my lack of camera knowledge (or even ability to accurately report what I'm looking at.) I appreciate your help very much.

[ebiggs1]

"... we're quickly uncovering my lack of camera knowledge ..."

We were all there at one time!

The link I gave you and the package it offers is a way better deal and buy for you and your new photographer.  You are about to start her on a fantastic, either hobby or career.  She will be entering the wonderful world of phtography.  

[Skirball]

The package that eBiggs linked, with the 55 -250, is a far better lens, but unless there's a deal on it I'm not seeing the package is also 50% more than what you're looking at.  That's a significant difference in price.

If you are looking for something around the $500 mark you can get the same kit from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1040758-REG/canon_eos_rebel_t5_dslr.html

I highly recommend buying from someone like B&H over Best Buy when it comes to camera equipment.