The Canon Magazine 107
BUDGET TELEPHOTO ZOOMS
240–2–4–6D
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Canon^ EF-M55 -200mmCanon^ EF-S55-^25
0 mmCanon^EF^70 -^200 mmCanon^EF^70 -^300 mm^ IS^ IICanon^EF^70 -^300 mm^ LTamron70 -300mmVCTamron100-^40
0 mmSigma100-^40
0 mmNegative results show barrel distortion, positive indicates pincushion-1.52-0.96 -1
-1.78 -1.65 -1.75-0.450.881.31 1.96 1.90 1.94 1.75 1.96 1.54
0.91 0.7FEATURES
VERDICT
01
For this lens, the
optional ET-63
cylindrical hood is
around £13/$23.02
Super Spectra
coatings are applied
to reduce ghosting
and flare.03
This one has
physical switches for
AF/M focusing and
stabilization on/off.04
The 3.5-stop image
stabilizer comes
complete with auto
panning detection.05
The plastic mounting
plate keeps weight to
a minimum.FEATURESBUILD & HANDLINGPERFORMANCEVALUEOVERALLCANON EF-S 55-250mm
f/4-5.6 IS STM £299/$299
A marked improvement over the previous version
of this EF-S lens for APS-C format DSLRs
esigned for APS-C format
DSLRs, this and other EF-S
lenses can also be used on
APS-C format and full-frame
bodies, via the respective EOS
mount adapters. Larger and heavier
than the EF-M 55-200mm lens on
test, this one has more traditional
DSLR-type styling, with physical
switches for AF/M focusing modes
and stabilization on/off, as well as
chunkier rubberized grips for the
zoom and focus rings.
Although nearly 50 per cent
heavier than the EF-M 55-200mm,
the EF-S adds an extra 50mm in
telephoto length, with an overall
zoom that’s equivalent to
88-400mm in full-frame terms.
It also has a faster aperture rating,
shrinking to f/5.6, rather than
f/6.3, at the long end. Similarities
between the two lenses include
fast and virtually silent stepping
motor-driven autofocus and
3.5-stop image stabilization.
Compared with the previous
edition of the EF-S 55-250mm, the
new version has a more complex
optical path with three extra
elements, including the addition
of a UD (Ultra-low Dispersion)element. This aims to reduce
chromatic aberrations while
boosting sharpness and contrast.
The basic electric AF motor of the
previous edition was much inferior.Performance
Levels of centre-sharpness are a bit
mediocre throughout the zoom, but
sharpness holds up well towards
the edges and corners of the frame.
There’s little in the way of colour
fringing, and distortions are pretty
low as well. Overall, this lens is a
solid performer for APS-C format
DSLRs, but we’d still go for one of
the full-frame compatible lenses on
test, for enhanced performance.D
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f/4f/4f/2.8f/2.8f/5.6f/5.6f/8f/8f/11f/11f/32f/32f/22f/22f/16f/16
Short Mid LongSHARPNESS
ith most budget telephoto zooms you can expect a
little barrel distortion at the short end of the zoom
range, negligible distortion at mid-zoom settings,
and minor pincushion at the long end. Most of the lenses in
this test group follow a very similar path in these respects.
The two main exceptions are the Sigma and Tamron
100-400mm lenses. With their longer range of focal lengths,
these two lenses exhibit minor pincushion even at their
shortest zoom setting, getting slightly worse as you extend
through the zoom range.DISTORTION
Distortions are low overall, and not much to worry about
W