Camera Lens Gift Choices

[John M Wilson]

I've been agonizing over the last few days trying to pick out a Christmas gift for my 23-year old daughter. She loves to travel & takes plenty of photographs, so my wife & I thought it would be a good idea to buy her an additional lens.

She has a Canon EOS Rebel T3i with the kit lens, a Canon EF-S 18-55 mm, which she likes.

We thought something with a bit more telephoto might be nice, but the choices are overwhelming. My initial foray turned up 4 likely contenders (all Canon).


An EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 III at about $135 Link (https://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-75-300mm-4-5-6-FIlter/dp/B01HQLVXFG)
An EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 with the USM motor at about $234 Link (https://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300mm-4-5-6-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B00004THCZ)
An EF 55-250 mm f/4-5.6 IS II with stabilization, at about $130 Link (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011NVMO8/ref=psdc_173565_t1_B00EFILVQU)
An EF 55-250 mm f/4-5.6 IS with stabilization & a stepper motor, at about $299 Link (https://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-55-250mm-F4-5-6-Cameras/dp/B00EFILVQU/ref=dp_ob_title_ce)


I'm at a loss to know the actual, practical difference between stepper motors, ultrasonic motors, and all the rest. I don't mind spending a little more to get a better lens, but I don't want to spend money for capabilities that will never be noticed by a non-professional user. (Sort of like my approach to power tools... ;))

So, I thought I would turn to the brightest group of people I know that would actually be able to provide an experienced answer...

What do you think? Is it one of these 4, or there alternatives that I haven't even begun to consider?

All advice & opinions are welcome!

[Raymond Fries]

I had #2 and from a novice point of view, thought it was a great lens. I only sold it because other hobbies were more important to me than photography.

Good Luck on your selection. I think all are great choices.

[Dave Richards]

What does she like to shoot? Very likely she won't miss the 55mm to 75mm range and the second 75-300 is a decent lens for the camera. In addition to the lens, order a B+W UV multi-coated filter (https://www.amazon.com/58mm-Clear-Multi-Resistant-Coating-007M/dp/B0011390JW/ref=sr_1_6?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1480801763&sr=1-6&keywords=b%2Bw+58mm) for it. This will protect the front element from damage. Don't bother with an uncoated filter. That will be worse than not having a filter. While you're at it, order another for the lens she's already got.

[Rick Moyer]

The stabilization is nice when your trying to hold steady on a zoom shot.

[Paul F Franklin]

Agree, I wouldn't buy a medium long zoom without stabilization. I believe the stepper speeds up the autofocus. If she shoots a lot of action photos or video that is an advantage. For landscapes and the like, not so much.

[Mike Chance in Iowa]

Yes, the big question is what does she want to take photos of? She might be more interested in a wide lens or macro lens then a telephoto zoom lens...

Here's some useful links that explain about Canon lenses.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/canon-lens-experience-everything-you-need-know-about-canon-lenses
http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses

The ones you listed above would be nice and if she's looking for more zoom then she currently has, she should be quite happy with any of them.
I use a Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM lens for all my zoom needs on my Canon. It's a monster, but it opens up so much more photo possibilities with that range compared to my daily EF 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens I use.

I love having image stabilization and won't buy a lens without it now. What's nice is when I don't need it, I can turn it off.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Might I suggest instead that you look for a wide angle lens with a very low-light capable aperture like 1.4 or less? (Less is more- smaller number means more light let in.) I travel extensively and if I could only have one lens it would be my 16mm 1.4. It excels at night shots, and that is a big part of my shooting since by day I am in meetings. Wide angles give you a great field of view for cityscapes and landscapes. If not wide angle, then a normal angle with low light aperture.

[Jim Koepke]

One more vote for stabilization. The longer the lens the more it is needed. Sometimes even a tripod gets buffeted by wind.

jtk

[John M Wilson]

What does she like to shoot?


Yes, the big question is what does she want to take photos of? She might be more interested in a wide lens or macro lens then a telephoto zoom lens...

Well, I'm just guessing, but it seems like most of her "close-up, low light" shots she does with her phone... I know this is anathema to a true photographer. Maybe she would take more of these type of shots if her camera was up to it.

But, from what I've seen of her vacation photography, a little more telephoto will go a long way.

As I feared, I now have more choices than when I began.

I appreciate all the input, and I feel like a kid in a candy store!

[Art Mann]

I have been a serious hobby photographer for a long time and have owned several DSLRs and many lenses. My brand is Nikon but they are all very similar. I have a 70 - 300mm lens that is fairly expensive and of good quality. I seldom use it. For just walking around, I shoot an 18-105mm or 18-140mm lens instead. This range provides a lot of versatility in a single lens. The reason I prefer this rather than multiple lenses is that I don't like to swap lenses all the time. Lens swapping on location can be risky for the lenses. Also, it isn't fun to lug around a heavy bag with multiple lenses. Also, by the time you make the swap, the subject is often gone or changed in some unfavorable way. I only use my long zoom lenses when I am shooting wildlife. What I am suggesting is that you get a lens that starts at about the same focal length she is using now but zooms to something like 135mm or longer. If you can't find a Canon that is in your price range, take a look at Tamron or Sigma lenses made for Canon. They work well too.

I consider image stabilization to be a very useful feature. If the subject isn't moving, you can use a much slower shutter speed hand held to get a sharp image. The USM focus motors are ultra sonic and generally focus faster than the stepper motor lenses. They are also quieter. They also cost more for the same type and quality of lens that uses a stepper motor. Either one will work fine in most situations.

[Jim Becker]

For travel, consider something more versatile, like the Tamron 16-300 f/3.5-6.3. It's a better lens than the inexpensive Canon lenses, IMHO. (I'm a Nikon shooter and would say the same for the Nikon budget equivalents) It's reasonably priced and is a "one lens" option that's great for travel and general photography. I have a friend who has the Nikon version that I got to play with and it was very good for what it's designed to do. None of these lower priced lenses are fast enough to be ideal for low-light situations, but the lower end bodies aren't the best for that either.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029404-REG/tamron_16_300mm_f_3_5_6_3_di_ii.html

[Ole Anderson]

I got the T2i kit a few years ago, included the 18-55 and the 55-250, both with IS. Got tired of carrying the second lens so I replaced both with a super-zoom, I got the Tamron 18-270. A little pricey at $449, but less than the camera body. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/747927-REG/Tamron_AFB008C700_AF18_270mm_f_3_5_6_3_Di_II. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/747927-REG/Tamron_AFB008C700_AF18_270mm_f_3_5_6_3_Di_II.html)
https://static.bhphoto.com/images/images250x250/1292511627000_747927.jpgAnd here is one of the first photos taken with it (at Glacier NP on the Going to the Sun Road) my resizing program tends to blur the image:

[Art Mann]

There are a couple of drawbacks to the extremely wide zoom range lenses. (1) They are big and heavy. (2) The sharpness of these lenses is not as good as narrower zoom range lenses covering the same focal length. This is especially true at the longest zoom settings. Whether you can tell the difference or not is another question. I would speculate that most people can't. In the Nikon world, I have compared the Nikkor 18-300mm and Nikkor 70-300mm AF-S lenses at 300mm. On close examination the latter is a little sharper than the former.

[Bill Jobe]

If she doesn't have a good shoe mount flash she might find that useful. Also, perhaps consider a high quality tripod.
I have a Nikon D90 with an 18-105 and I rarely wish I had a longer lens. But most of my picture taking is family shots, so I consider it to be an ideal lens.
One other thing to consider, and something I wish I had, is a 90 degree eyepiece. At one time I had a Canon A1 high 8 camcorder with a 90 degree eyepiece and that I consider to have been the perfect design.

[Jim Becker]

There are a couple of drawbacks to the extremely wide zoom range lenses. (1) They are big and heavy. (2) The sharpness of these lenses is not as good as narrower zoom range lenses covering the same focal length. This is especially true at the longest zoom settings. Whether you can tell the difference or not is another question. I would speculate that most people can't. In the Nikon world, I have compared the Nikkor 18-300mm and Nikkor 70-300mm AF-S lenses at 300mm. On close examination the latter is a little sharper than the former.

Very true, Art, and for "serious" photography work leveraging multiple lenses is a better choice and they are also generally faster lenses, too. But for travel photography, the wider range may be more versatile. The new generation of "super zooms", like the Tamron I mentioned are a bit lighter than previous generations, too.