Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?: Canon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

Started Mar 24, 2016 | Questions

ms18 • Veteran Member • Posts: 3,530

Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

Mar 24, 2016

I use 55-250 IS II.. Is it worth upgrading to 55-250mm STM?

Some points

I don't use this for video
Mainly shooting @ 250mm f 5.6 - f/6.5
Subjects are mostly birds rarely sports

My camera is T2i i might upgrade to latest rebel later on but not soon.

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ANSWER:

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Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EOS 550D (EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4)

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crashpc • Veteran Member • Posts: 7,237

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to ms18 • Mar 24, 2016

ms18 wrote:

I use 55-250 IS II.. Is it worth upgrading to 55-250mm STM?

Some points

I don't use this for video

Mainly shooting @ 250mm f 5.6 - f/6.5

Subjects are mostly birds rarely sports

My camera is T2i i might upgrade to latest rebel later on but not soon.

I'd say yes. It is sharper lens, faster lens, quiet and not moving which is good for birds.

Its sweetspot is when set wide open. I found that with 1.4X teleconverter it is still very sharp, while givimg me even more reach. I highly recommend that lens. Especially for the money.

crashpc's gear list:crashpc's gear list

Canon EOS M10 Canon EF-M 15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

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Steve Balcombe • Forum Pro • Posts: 15,582

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to ms18 • Mar 24, 2016

ms18 wrote:

I use 55-250 IS II.. Is it worth upgrading to 55-250mm STM?

Some points

I don't use this for video

Mainly shooting @ 250mm f 5.6 - f/6.5

Subjects are mostly birds rarely sports

My camera is T2i i might upgrade to latest rebel later on but not soon.

You'd see a worthwhile improvement, yes.

BUT the new 18-135 Nano USM has a much faster focusing system than the existing 18-135 STM - similar in speed to the ring USM focusing used in high end lenses. I'd say there's a pretty good chance that we'll see a 55-250 Nano USM at some point, the only question is when? If I wanted to toss my hat into the ring I'd say this time next year, but who knows it might be sooner.

The improved focusing speed would be ideal for birds, but please remember I'm only guessing, and even if I'm right it could be a long wait, and more expensive.

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MikeJ9116 • Veteran Member • Posts: 6,957

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to ms18 • Mar 24, 2016

I owned both lenses and found the STM version to be quite a bit better than the II version. Considering the STM can be bought refurbished from Canon for around $125, I recommend getting one.

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StevenSHH • Contributing Member • Posts: 609

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to MikeJ9116 • Mar 25, 2016

I would recommend skip minor upgrade like this one and get something like

70-200mm, 70-300mm, or 100-400mm L lens for APS-C, gets much better range and sharpness for wildlife and landscape.

Just my 2 cents.

Difference between II and STM is mostly design. STM motor is quite and smooth for video and AF, but it will really help you if you have a better lense like 70-200mm. I recommend IS models for all of them.

StevenSHH's gear list:StevenSHH's gear list

Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4

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crashpc • Veteran Member • Posts: 7,237

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to StevenSHH • Mar 25, 2016

StevenSHH wrote:

I would recommend skip minor upgrade like this one and get something like

Ehm, wrong. It is not really minor upgrade, if we look at the price.

70-200mm,

Simply too short

70-300mm,

Inferior in terms of sharpness, absolutely not comparable, unless you mean L for very different money.

or 100-400mm L lens for APS-C

STM is little fraction in price. It is not really comparable. I don´t know anybody who would decide between 55-250 STM and 100-400 L IS USM II...

, gets much better range and sharpness for wildlife and landscape.

True. Good one to point out for somebody who looks for long reach lens. No problem with it.

Just my 2 cents.

Difference between II and STM is mostly design. STM motor is quite and smooth for video and AF, but it will really help you if you have a better lense like 70-200mm. I recommend IS models for all of them.

No. Or yes - design. Even the optical desingn, which does world of difference. Here you can compare. Mouseover to see old one...

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=856&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=1&LensComp=777&CameraComp=736&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=0

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Canon EOS M10 Canon EF-M 15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

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MikeJ9116 • Veteran Member • Posts: 6,957

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to StevenSHH • Mar 25, 2016

StevenSHH wrote:

Difference between II and STM is mostly design. STM motor is quite and smooth for video and AF, but it will really help you if you have a better lense like 70-200mm. I recommend IS models for all of them.of a

There are more differences in the design than AF that result in substantially better IQ for the STM version. I have compared both personally and the STM version wins by a large margin over the II version. IMO, bang-for-the-buck, no other Canon mount zoom can compete with it at the refurbished price of $125. Including the 70-200mm IS II or f/4.

STM version:

15 elements in 12 groups.

Non-rotating front element

II version:

12 elements in 10 groups.

Rotating front element

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StevenSHH • Contributing Member • Posts: 609

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to MikeJ9116 • Mar 25, 2016

I agree with the yes answers and suggestions, but I simply suggest other L lens because that's "worth upgrading" in my personal opinions. I didn't say no to STM, just my 2 cents. I love all my STM lens actually including my favorite EF-S 24mm STM pancake lens.

OP can find out more just leasing an L lens to see the difference in focal lens and sharpness. I do that for Aviation, and sports events if CPS is available where you get free rentals.

StevenSHH's gear list:StevenSHH's gear list

Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4

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Spotted Cow • Senior Member • Posts: 1,586

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to ms18 • Mar 25, 2016

For me, it's a no brainer upgrade. I had the MK II version, thought it was pretty good. The STM version has much better colors and contrast to my eyes and comparison. Someone mentioned upgrading to the 70-200mm f4L instead. I disagree, simply because on a crop sensor camera, The STM lens performs beautifully, just as good as the L lens. It also has IS as a bonus for fraction of the cost. I think you'd be surprised at its performance. Now the L lens on a FF camera is a different story but that's not what we are talking about here.

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maxmarra • Junior Member • Posts: 31

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to ms18 • Jun 19, 2016

ms18 wrote:

I use 55-250 IS II.. Is it worth upgrading to 55-250mm STM?

Some points

I don't use this for video

Mainly shooting @ 250mm f 5.6 - f/6.5

Subjects are mostly birds rarely sports

My camera is T2i i might upgrade to latest rebel later on but not soon.

absolutely worth it, probably U can sell your old lens for 100 Bucks

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Canon EOS 80D Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon 6D Mark II Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM Canon EF-S 10-22mm F3.5-4.5 USM +11 more

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KRRacing • Junior Member • Posts: 45

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to ms18 • Jun 19, 2016

Absolutely, IMHO. I have the STM and 70-200 f/4L IS. On 70D, the sharpness of both lenses are very similar. The STM has much better IS. The L has better colour and contrast. For the price the STM is a no-brainer on crop sensor bodies.

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Sigma 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM Canon 6D Mark II Canon EOS M50 Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon Extender EF 1.4x II +7 more

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Abu Mahendra • Veteran Member • Posts: 5,312

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to KRRacing • Jun 19, 2016

KRRacing wrote:

Absolutely, IMHO. I have the STM and 70-200 f/4L IS. On 70D, the sharpness of both lenses are very similar. The STM has much better IS. The L has better colour and contrast. For the price the STM is a no-brainer on crop sensor bodies.

Check your L zoom. The 70-200 f/4LIS gives an honest 4 stops of IS.

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Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM Canon EF 70-200mm F4L IS USM Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L II USM Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM +5 more

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The shootist • Regular Member • Posts: 304

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to Abu Mahendra • Jun 19, 2016

I own both, and I agree with Mikej9116, and I'm surprised that some are comparing or suggesting an L series lens in this post. I'm guessing that ms18 isn't in the market for an L lens, but if anyone has one in the $125.00 range in good working condition I'd be interested in purchasing it.

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jvc1 • Senior Member • Posts: 2,202

Re: Is it worth upgrading to to 55-250 IS STM for stills?

In reply to crashpc • Jun 22, 2016

You have the STM lens on a 7D mkII, the older one on a 60D. Put them both on the 60D and the difference isn't nearly as drastic.

jvc1's gear list:jvc1's gear list

Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Canon EOS 90D Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM +10 more

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