Difference between Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS and IS II

Hello there,

Recently I've bought a Canon 650D with a start kit lens EF-S 18-55 IS II.

I'm looking for a Telelens for in the near future and these are the ones I found:

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS €285

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II €149

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM €279
But does any know the difference between IS and IS II or should I just go for the STM ?

I mainly use it for taking picture, but I might record some video's as well.

LionsDen wrote:

Revlite wrote:

Hello there,

Recently I've bought a Canon 650D with a start kit lens EF-S 18-55 IS II.

I'm looking for a Telelens for in the near future and these are the ones I found:

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS €285

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II €149

The only difference between these two 55-250mm lenses are the finish. Optically and mechanically they are the same, just like EF-S 18-55 IS and 18-55 IS II.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM €279
But does any know the difference between IS and IS II or should I just go for the STM ?

I mainly use it for taking picture, but I might record some video's as well.

The STM is best suited for video because its motor is very quiet. However, the price for IS II is really tempting. No point in getting the original IS version for the prices you quoted.

bad news is kit lens EF-S 18-55 downright sucks. you can give that away to your dog or keep it for a rainy day

Sorry to say, but what downright sucks is not OP's 18-55 but your advice.While old EF-S 18-55 non-image stabilized lenses were pretty unimpressive, Canon improved the series a lot when they added IS, and after that point they are generally thought of as excellent value.

Kind regards,
- Henrik

Revlite wrote:

Hello there,

Recently I've bought a Canon 650D with a start kit lens EF-S 18-55 IS II.

I'm looking for a Telelens for in the near future and these are the ones I found:

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS €285

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II €149

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM €279
But does any know the difference between IS and IS II or should I just go for the STM ?

I mainly use it for taking picture, but I might record some video's as well.

I was lucky and had an outstanding original 18-55 kit lens (non-IS). Produced great pics...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2453407

Sold it with my 30D.

Then I got the 18-55 IS (Mk I) with my 50D, and IQ was about the same as my original kit lens (still quite good).

Sold that and went with the 18-55 IS II with my 650D, and IQ was a definite improvement.  Was extremely happy with that lens.

Gave that one away with my 50D.

Then picked up the 70D with 18-135 STM and IQ is on par with the 18-55 IS II that I had.  Focusing with the STM is simply outstanding and of course the AF noise is non-existent.  It's an excellent focal length range too.

I also have the 55-250 IS II which is a nice lens, but would recommend the STM version if you can swing it.

None of them compare to the L primes that I use for longer stuff though.

R2

LionsDen wrote:

Revlite wrote:

Hello there,

Recently I've bought a Canon 650D with a start kit lens EF-S 18-55 IS II.

I'm looking for a Telelens for in the near future and these are the ones I found:

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS €285

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II €149

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM €279
But does any know the difference between IS and IS II or should I just go for the STM ?

I mainly use it for taking picture, but I might record some video's as well.

bad news is kit lens EF-S 18-55 downright sucks. you can give that away to your dog or keep it for a rainy day

THat is rubbish. The old non IS was bad, but the EF-S 18-55 IS II is in the same class as the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

The 55-250 IS II is a solid lens .. goes for around 299 new in the US and you can pick up a refurbished one for around $150. Great deal.

however if you are thinking about doing any video at all .. You will want to get the STM version .. without STM lens the video picks up nasty autofocus noises .. The STM lenses with stepper motors are designed to keep the lenses quiet during auto focusing plus the 250 STM is newer and slightly better.

Revlite wrote:

Hello there,

Recently I've bought a Canon 650D with a start kit lens EF-S 18-55 IS II.

I'm looking for a Telelens for in the near future and these are the ones I found:

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS €285

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II €149

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM €279
But does any know the difference between IS and IS II or should I just go for the STM ?

I mainly use it for taking picture, but I might record some video's as well.

1 & 2 the same.

3 The STM version is optically a bit better, the front element does not rotate, and it's STM focus drive is faster and more quiet. The STM is of course a real advantage when taking movies with the new bodies that allow continuous AF during video.

This video in Youtube might help why STM lenses are used: Canon STM Lens

The above link would give you a better understanding of STM lenses and how they perform in against other lenses(the ones with Micro Motor and USM).

I have a Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM lens and use it with Canon EOS 70D. It is really quiet and fast. No AF Noises are made while shooting videos or images. Some of the IS and IS II lenses have Micro Motors, which make noises while focussing and is really annoying when you shoot videos.

If you are into Video making, then STM lenses are the ones that you should go for.

STM lenses are costlier than IS and IS II lenses but its worth it.

Hope this helps. 

Even if you don't shoot video, the STM lenses are better for still photography because of:

1) Non-rotating front elements

2) Incredibly fast AF

3) Silent AF

4) Full-Time manual focus (while shutter is half-pressed)

5) Better Image Quality

6) Nice EW-63C petal hood on the 18-55 STM (also fits the 55-250 STM)

CCS86 wrote:

Henrik Herranen wrote:

The only difference between these two 55-250mm lenses are the finish. Optically and mechanically they are the same, just like EF-S 18-55 IS and 18-55 IS II.

Not according to the results here.: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=456&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=3&LensComp=777&CameraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=3

I see modest improvements in center sharpness, at various focal length / aperture combos; and MASSIVE improvements in corner sharpness everywhere.

The way I remember it Henrik's answer from a couple years back is correct.  The version II changes were only cosmetic and done to reduce the cost of manufacture.  This was done shortly after they did the same thing with the 18-55 IS and IS II  Maybe the test results resulted from a bad copy of the original and a good copy of the II.

Revlite
I own both the 55-250mm II, and the STM.
I like the STM better and I just checked Canon Referb's and for some reason the STM is selling for $129.99 and the II is selling for $169.99, I believe it"s an error, but if you can get the STM for that price I'd do it now.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/lenses-flashes/refurbished-lenses

Yes, the STM is better optically better than the II.  I got a refurb 55-250STM last year for $123 while Canon was asking 199 for the II.  It's not an error, but price-wise it makes little sense either.

Buchanan
I got the same deal last year, but I didn't notice the price on the II at that time, strange pricing indeed, still a good price on the STM with a 1 yr warranty.