DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

EF-S 55-250 STM; worth the upgrade?

Started Apr 8, 2014 | User reviews thread
Lawrencew Veteran Member • Posts: 4,861
IS sound comparisons between STM and non-STM

Hoogineer wrote:

quiquae wrote:

fishywisht wrote:

A lot of the differences you quote sound possibly like the differences between a worn lens and a brand new one. You describe play in the barrel and more noise for the older lens. I don't recognise the annoying "buzz" from the stabiliser. These 55-250 lenses are bargain basement consumer lenses and not built for a professional service life.

You must have a great copy. My 55-250 IS II, purchased brand new, does not have any "play," but it certain does buzz a lot when IS is engaged, as did every single sample I've played with in the stores. The noise is significantly more annoying than 24-105L and 100L, which are quieter but not noiseless. In contrast, STM lenses are totally inaudible. I can live with the noise since I don't shoot video, but autofocus speed and accuracy is making me ponder moving to 55-250 STM.

I don't think my 55-250 IS II buzzes very loudly when IS is engaged, but it is really noisy during AF. It also has a horrible tendency to hunt for focus, focusing in and out, especially when the subject is noisy (e.g. a bird in the trees), even when using a specific AF point. Granted, this might have more to do with pairing with the 600d, which only has the single cross-type AF point in the center.

These videos were with the old non-STM version. Putting aside the background noise, you can hear the IS "ticking" away in operation

http://youtu.be/JLr-t7-cXWE

http://youtu.be/yFF_vlraiSo

Whereas this on with STM is totally silent in operation

http://youtu.be/XQjpBanmhV8

-- hide signature --
 Lawrencew's gear list:Lawrencew's gear list
Sony RX10 III Canon EOS 70D Canon EOS M5 Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM +8 more
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum PPrevious NNext WNext unread UUpvote SSubscribe RReply QQuote BBookmark MMy threads
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow