comparing these lenses

[whisperwhodares]

I have a t1i and 50mm 1.8, and I want to something wider to replace the 18-55 kit.
I have been comparing:

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 ($250-300 used, $370 new)
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM ($470 new, dunno how much used)
Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II ($400 used, $460 new, I saw $400 new on ebay)
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM ($300-430 used, $550 new)

How do you these lenses compare in quality? I'm leaning towards whatever's cheap.


Also, looking some zooms:

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM ($280 used, $420 new)
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS ($150 used, $190 new)

Is the 55-250 any good?

[mrteacherdude]

Originally Posted by whisperwhodares

Is the 55-250 any good?

It's a "good" lens and well worth the price you will pay for it. You can get pretty good images with it, but don't expect it to focus awesomely fast. I use mine a lot and get quite a few good images. Some lighting conditions are trickier than others for the lens to deal with, but in strong and/or even light the lens works really well. I will be upgrading to better glass when I can afford it though because there is a difference.

[ArmySoldier777]

I 2nd what mrteacherdude said. I too own the 55-250mm lens and have been really happy with it. There are MUCH better lenses out there, but when you're talking about these lower price ranges, it's a great buy.

The lens quality on mine is Almost the same exact quality as with the kit lens, but when you start going down into fixing things at the pixel level, some of my focal lengths with the 55-250 actually produce better IQ results.. I think the glass quality is the same with both lenses, so maybe it's just me and I just happen to take better pictures with the longer lens lol.

I do a lot of action shots and, as was stated before, the focus isn't lightning fast on this lens, so I've had to throw out quite a few shots that I would have preferred to keep. But more often than not, the lens has came through for me. I've even used it with extension tubes to get into macro photography occasionally.

I wish I could help you out with the other lenses, because I've been looking at purchasing a new lens as well. But as far as the 55-250 goes, it's great for somebody on a tight budget. It's usually considered part of the "beginner's trifecta" of lenses. 1st being the 18-55 kit, then the 55-250, followed by the 50 1.8, which you already have. Hopefully somebody else can help you out with those other lenses. I will post a couple links to images taken with my 55-250mm though so you're able to see a little bit of what the image quality is going to be.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...IMG_0001-1.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0030.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_0134.jpg