Rating: - Good for the price
This is a good entry level telephoto zoom. Works fine for people like me who need telephoto lens only occasionally. Yes, it is all plastic and cheaply built, but that makes it very light weight. The auto focusing is a little bit slow, but this is what you can expect from a lens of this price. However, if you have large budget and will like to use a telephoto more often, go get yourself a better lens.
Rating: - Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Remembering that it is an EF-S rather than an EF lens, it is a good intermediate lens for beginners. I got this one for my son-in-law for when I give him my 20D at Christmas. [5D MK II on order for me] The IS is a nice touch. Of course it is not an L lens but you don't pay those prices either.
Recommended.
Rating: - One Happy Customer!
What with the price of all the IS Canon lenses that I have studied I had made up my mind that I would just have to do without, however this EF-S 55-250 sure changed that in a hurry. I received this lens within a few days and immediately put it to use photographing the wild birds at my feeders in my back yard. To say that I am satisfied is an understatement. I was blown away with my photos and while I am certain that there are other better IS lens out there on the market this one, taken into account the reasonable price can't be beat. I believe that Canon has done the users of their cameras a great service and I thank them for it.Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Rating: - Best lens for the money
This is an excellent lens for under $500. It is designed to be a good all purpose tele zoom lens for non-pros. I think it fits the bill nicely. The lens is very sharp at all focal lengths and really doesn't have any bad spots like most cheap lenses. Aperture is a bit on the slow side, but normal for a lens in its class. The Image Stabilization really works well. You won't want a telephoto lens without it once you've had it. Build quality is about normal for the price. It is mostly plastic, but that keeps down on the weight. Macro performance is pretty good, too. It is a 1/3 magnification, which is a bit better than average without being an advertised macro lens. You can certainly fill the frame with a flower bud or a leaf, if that is what you are after. I give it 5 stars, not because it is the best lens in the world, but because it is the best lens for the price and the intended photographers. It pairs perfectly with the 18-55 IS and then you get a seamless range of 18-250 (28-400 equiv), all Image stabilized. The next step up is at least twice the money. Nothing else in the price range can compare with the features, sharpness and focal range in my opinion.
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Reviews
- 
-