Those who have 55-200, was it worth getting the 55-250?

Alan WF wrote:

I am kind of interested in one of the crop Rs as soon as they hit M50 pricepoint.

I'm not interested in crop Rs at ALL. No matter the pricepoint.

Let's try to keep the conversation on-topic.

If someone is interested in an R,

... or is interested in a Sony or Fuji or Nikon etc ...

then there is a specific advantage to an EF/EF-S lens over a similar EF-M lens, and that's relevant for this discussion.

.... and there is also specific advantages to an EF-M lens over an EF/EFs lens.

However, I don't think stating personal positions on R in this context really helps anyone.

I think OP wants to use this lens on a M camera. That should be the context. IMO.

Alan WF wrote:

I am kind of interested in one of the crop Rs as soon as they hit M50 pricepoint.

I'm not interested in crop Rs at ALL. No matter the pricepoint.

Let's try to keep the conversation on-topic.

If someone is interested in an R, then there is a specific advantage to an EF/EF-S lens over a similar EF-M lens, and that's relevant for this discussion.

However, I don't think stating personal positions on R in this context really helps anyone.

Regards,

Alan

Since this is an EOS-M forum I think it is acceptable in any case, if someone is stating that "there is no interest in crop Rs at all".

Additionally, the topic is a comparison of an EF-M lens with an EF/EF-S lens. So, at first sight, there is no connection to the R-system.

aaaarrrrteee wrote:

I have the 55-200 and love its quality and small size

I compared it to a couple of L series lenses

https://www.flickr.com/photos/186162491@N07/albums/72157720156770466

https://www.flickr.com/photos/186162491@N07/albums/72157720127394748

That is precisely the reason why I own EOS M.

I am sorry but I find your "comparison images" not useful.

aaaarrrrteee wrote:

I have the 55-200 and love its quality and small size

I compared it to a couple of L series lenses

https://www.flickr.com/photos/186162491@N07/albums/72157720156770466

https://www.flickr.com/photos/186162491@N07/albums/72157720127394748

I looked at both links and can't see the comparisons.  Are there A-B comparisons available?

The Canon EFS 55-200 mm EFS IS STM is perhaps the best budget lens ever made. Make sure you buy the STM version since it blows away the older models BOTH in sharpness and focusing speed. See Christopher Frost's review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5wZAvUmPUA

NOTE!!! Canon is literally giving the lens away for $99. Grab one before it is gone. While the lens is called by Canon to be "refurbished," I think they are new, or as close to new as you will find. I bought one just recently for my M50 and M6 II, as well as my 80 D.

This lens is a real steal at $99. See it here if it is still around: https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/refurbished-ef-s-55-250 mm-f-4-5-6-is-stm

thetoolman wrote:

The Canon EFS 55-200 mm EFS IS STM is perhaps the best budget lens ever made. Make sure you buy the STM version since it blows away the older models BOTH in sharpness and focusing speed. See Christopher Frost's review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5wZAvUmPUA

NOTE!!! Canon is literally giving the lens away for $99.

It is a great deal for sure! If they are 'literally' giving them away, I'll take a thousand!

Grab one before it is gone. While the lens is called by Canon to be "refurbished," I think they are new, or as close to new as you will find. I bought one just recently for my M50 and M6 II, as well as my 80 D.

This lens is a real steal at $99. See it here if it is still around: https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/refurbished-ef-s-55-250 mm-f-4-5-6-is-stm

I should buy them all up for $99.

jackwelch wrote:

thetoolman wrote:

I should buy them all up for $99.

Actually if you're business savvy you could even make a profit on these. Buy them in the US and get it sent overseas somehow to resell.

This model is more than $300++ where I am at.

It's a shame that Canon is discriminating people based on where they live. ☹️

Beetles wrote:

I had both, found the 55-250 to be visibly better than the 55-200 at longer focal lengths and sold the 55-200. That might have been with an m2 or maybe m6 mi. I also find the 55-250 very well balanced on the M6mii. I easily carry it with two fingers ready to use on a long day/walk. I got the Kenko teleplus, tested it, found the quality poor on my copy or combination, and have never used it again. It also added weight and slowed focus, for no benefit to me over cropping

The basic 4-element MC4 Kenko Teleplus, if that's what your TC was, isn't great optically. Also the electronics don't play nice with the M autofocus system.

I use the 'better' (older) 5-element Kenko Teleplus 1.5x SHQ for the EF (not EF-S mount) which required modifying the rear mount of the EF-S 55-250 IS STM to allow EF accessories. I also removed the internal chip from the TC, making the electronics straight pass-through.

AF and IS work great, just like the lens without the TC -- the only issue is that the camera doesn't correctly report the combo's revised focal length and aperture, but shows only what the lens was set at. Although the image is very slightly lightly softer with the TC, it isn't much and a little extra sharpening in post and a little more CA correction compensates for it well, and the result is nearly as good as the lens alone, and definitely better than shooting without the TC and cropping, even with the M6ii's high 32 MP resolution with the lens wide open.

I believe part of the problem people have using teleconverters with this lens is that you have to correct the combo manually in post-processing for best results, as Canon DPP 4, DxO Photolab, and other image processing programs won't have the lens correction settings for it.

For me a 2x MC7 TC with Kiron optics provides little benefit above the Kenko Teleplus 1.5x SHQ for full pixel-resolution shots, although it is very useful and more than good enough for 4k resolution video.

Having said all that, and using my 'discounted' setup for 2 years now.... I've had my eye on the Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm f5-6.3 lens in EF mount, but found it a little too pricey for my budget. I do try bird & BIF photography from time to time, and the 55-250 + 1.5x TC (for a 375mm f8 lens) isn't quite bright or long enough for those) I also do a lot of astrophotography and really could use something more like the Sigma's specs for deep sky galaxies and nebulae on my iOptron SkyGuider Pro tracking mount. From what I've seen the Siggy should be even sharper than my 55-250 + 1.5x TC combo and will have much more reach.

FInally this week Wednesday the Siggy 150-600 C went on a one-day sale at B&H for $699.... with a 6-year warranty, and that being close to the eBay 'used' price.... I finally took the plunge, and am looking forward to filling the 'last gap' in my lens lineup.

The Siggy 150-600 is big and heavy though, so I"m sure the EF-M 55-200 or EF-S 55-250 will continue to go with me frequently as the 'light' telephoto option if I'm not specifically shooting wildlife.

Larry Rexley wrote:

I've had my eye on the Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm f5-6.3 lens in EF mount, but found it a little too pricey for my budget. I do try bird & BIF photography from time to time, and the 55-250 + 1.5x TC (for a 375mm f8 lens) isn't quite bright or long enough for those) I also do a lot of astrophotography and really could use something more like the Sigma's specs for deep sky galaxies and nebulae on my iOptron SkyGuider Pro tracking mount. From what I've seen the Siggy should be even sharper than my 55-250 + 1.5x TC combo and will have much more reach.

FInally this week Wednesday the Siggy 150-600 C went on a one-day sale at B&H for $699.... with a 6-year warranty, and that being close to the eBay 'used' price.... I finally took the plunge, and am looking forward to filling the 'last gap' in my lens lineup.

The Siggy 150-600 is big and heavy though, so I"m sure the EF-M 55-200 or EF-S 55-250 will continue to go with me frequently as the 'light' telephoto option if I'm not specifically shooting wildlife.

Holy cow, you did go for the Chunka Lunka! If you ever get tired of holding that big boy up, the Wimberley MonoGimbal is excellent on a monopod! (a friend of mine has one that I've tried)...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513932-REG/wimberley_mh_100_monogimbal_head.html

I do still prefer handholding though! Mainly due to that "swinging the monopod around while trying to track a BIF" thing. As for monopods, the one I like best is the Manfrotto "Auto" monopod # 3245. Long discontinued, but still available used on Fleabay (if it has developed "stiction," there is a (hidden) screw for adjusting that).

Enjoy your new toy!

R2

R2D2 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

I've had my eye on the Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm f5-6.3 lens in EF mount, but found it a little too pricey for my budget. I do try bird & BIF photography from time to time, and the 55-250 + 1.5x TC (for a 375mm f8 lens) isn't quite bright or long enough for those) I also do a lot of astrophotography and really could use something more like the Sigma's specs for deep sky galaxies and nebulae on my iOptron SkyGuider Pro tracking mount. From what I've seen the Siggy should be even sharper than my 55-250 + 1.5x TC combo and will have much more reach.

FInally this week Wednesday the Siggy 150-600 C went on a one-day sale at B&H for $699.... with a 6-year warranty, and that being close to the eBay 'used' price.... I finally took the plunge, and am looking forward to filling the 'last gap' in my lens lineup.

The Siggy 150-600 is big and heavy though, so I"m sure the EF-M 55-200 or EF-S 55-250 will continue to go with me frequently as the 'light' telephoto option if I'm not specifically shooting wildlife.

Holy cow, you did go for the Chunka Lunka! If you ever get tired of holding that big boy up, the Wimberley MonoGimbal is excellent on a monopod! (a friend of mine has one that I've tried)...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513932-REG/wimberley_mh_100_monogimbal_head.html

Great idea to use gimbal-style to mount the lens sideways on the rotating tripod collar!  it seems to me that hardware at your link is overpriced for what it is --- my thought is that a sturdy ball-head could pretty much do the same thing...

You've just unwittingly solved the 'floppy top-heavy camera' flaw I had with my night-train-monopod rig!  I made this setup to shoot two simultaneous 4k videos in extreme dark conditions, one with a 16mm or 32mm f1.4 wide or normal lens, the other with 100mm f1.4 lens. Both M6ii cameras have external mikes.

Worked like a charm to rotate the lens collar with tripod mount facing the side --- now the ball head rests in the bottom of the cradle and can be loosened slightly to allow the M6ii with the heavy Roki 135mm f2 with 0.71x speed booster to be tilted up and down!

I do still prefer handholding though! Mainly due to that "swinging the monopod around while trying to track a BIF" thing. As for monopods, the one I like best is the Manfrotto "Auto" monopod # 3245. Long discontinued, but still available used on Fleabay (if it has developed "stiction," there is a (hidden) screw for adjusting that).

Enjoy your new toy!

I'm sure I will, and will let you know how it goes in a few weeks.

R2