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kmarrocco · Dec 7, 2011, 12:11 AM

Hello,
I am buying a Canon T3i kit as my first DSLR camera. This comes with the 18-55mm lens and I am considering the following additional lenses.

1. EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens
2. EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

I am thinking I may really only need one of the additional lenses, but I'm not sure which one. The 55-250mm lens seems like it may be good enough. However, I understand the 70-300mm is a better quality lens and also goes to 300mm. If I were to go with the 70-300mm lens, would I really notice the 55-70mm "gap" that I would have? Anyone have any recommendations on which option would be better? Is there a clear winner?

Thanks.

spacer · Dec 7, 2011, 8:34 AM

While my 70-300 is the lower end model, I wasn't really feeling a lack in the focal-length department. I did fill it recently, however, with the kit lens for my "new" 60D.

wave01 · Dec 7, 2011, 10:15 AM

What do you takes pics of will help. The 55-250 is a nice lens and punches well above its weight

KCook · Dec 7, 2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

would I really notice the 55-70mm "gap"

Nah. Just crop a 55mm shot for the time being. Later you may add another lens to fill the gap (or simply replace the old 18-55), but I wouldn't look on that as a must-have.

Kelly Cook

corkpix · Dec 7, 2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmarrocco

Hello,
I am buying a Canon T3i kit as my first DSLR camera. This comes with the 18-55mm lens and I am considering the following additional lenses.

1. EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens
2. EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

.

Welcome to the forum.

Both of these lenses are good and either one would make a
useful addition to the 18-55mm kit lens. The 70-300mm is the
better of the two, but it is quite a bit more expensive.

Quote:

would I really notice the 55-70mm "gap" that I would have?

I don't think you would.

shoturtle · Dec 7, 2011, 12:15 PM

I have both and the 55-250 is a nice lens, but the 70-300 a better lens. It focus faster and is a tad shaper.

kmarrocco · Dec 7, 2011, 9:01 PM

Thanks for the advice. I will be taking most of my pictures of my children so will likely be using the standard 18-55mm lens 90% of the time. But there are also trips to things like the zoo and kids sporting events will I will want more capability to zoom.

The deal that I purchased actually includes both additional lenses in order to get all of the promotions. But it probably doesn't make much sense to keep both. I am leaning towards keeping the 70-300mm since it is a better lens and focuses faster.

Dec 7, 2011, 12:11 AM	#1
kmarrocco Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	Canon Lens question Hello, I am buying a Canon T3i kit as my first DSLR camera. This comes with the 18-55mm lens and I am considering the following additional lenses. 1. EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens 2. EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens I am thinking I may really only need one of the additional lenses, but I'm not sure which one. The 55-250mm lens seems like it may be good enough. However, I understand the 70-300mm is a better quality lens and also goes to 300mm. If I were to go with the 70-300mm lens, would I really notice the 55-70mm "gap" that I would have? Anyone have any recommendations on which option would be better? Is there a clear winner? Thanks.

Dec 7, 2011, 12:15 PM	#6
shoturtle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Frankfurt AM Posts: 11,348	I have both and the 55-250 is a nice lens, but the 70-300 a better lens. It focus faster and is a tad shaper. __________________ Super Frequent Flyer, no joke. Ex Patriot and loving it. Canon Eos 60D, T1i/500D, Eos1, Eos 630, Olympus EPL-1, and a part time Pentax K-X shooter.

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Dec 7, 2011, 8:34 AM	#2
spacer Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 133	While my 70-300 is the lower end model, I wasn't really feeling a lack in the focal-length department. I did fill it recently, however, with the kit lens for my "new" 60D.

Dec 7, 2011, 10:15 AM	#3
wave01 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North West England Posts: 1,750	What do you takes pics of will help. The 55-250 is a nice lens and punches well above its weight

Dec 7, 2011, 9:01 PM	#7
kmarrocco Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	Thanks for the advice. I will be taking most of my pictures of my children so will likely be using the standard 18-55mm lens 90% of the time. But there are also trips to things like the zoo and kids sporting events will I will want more capability to zoom. The deal that I purchased actually includes both additional lenses in order to get all of the promotions. But it probably doesn't make much sense to keep both. I am leaning towards keeping the 70-300mm since it is a better lens and focuses faster.