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I've been waiting a while for a deal on a Canon Lens. I have the XSi and I'm still on the kit lens. I've had it for a year now so I've gotten accustomed to what the kit lens has to offer, but I'm just not sure which lens to get when it comes to distance.

If anyone here can give some insight to this particular lens or any others that compare in price to this deal it would be greatly appreciated.

What is your current lens? It's better to get a new lens that can compliment your current one unless you're just looking to for one lens to carry with you at all times. This is a decent entry level lens that can generally take care of most telephoto tasks. However if you want something else in a similar price range with a wider range, the 28-135mm lens is a decent lens that can eliminate the need to carry multiple lenses with you.

What sort of pictures you looking to take?

I just need the capability to take telephoto images. I'm restricted at the moment and just want to have that functionality. What price range are we looking at for the 28-135mm?

I agree with #2. 28-135mm lens is pretty descent. But you would probably not be able to get it below $300. If you are looking to get an all-purpose starter lens this is an excellenet choice. You will love this lens. With the kit-lens for your XSi this will cover most of the range you need. Go for it!

not a bad deal, this lens is pretty decent. I own the 28-55 and the 75-300 but I agree with #2 and #4 a 28-155 would be an excellent choice. To be able to take great telephotos I would recommend a good trip, specially for dusk and night shots.

#1 A lot of people sell off the 28-135mm IS Canon lens from their Canon 40D or 50D kits. These are generally brand new and in the "white" factory box from the DSLR kits. Nothing is wrong with these and the seller usually sell it off because it was cheaper to purchase with the entire "kit" but have lenses already to cover this focal length or have better quality lenses. I got mine from someone from Craigslist locally for $325 brand new and in the factory "white" box. Hope this helps.

OK...well, this lens is not it. Not a substantial improvement at all over the kit lens. You really have two choices...cheap or expensive (but not REALLY expensive...just more that you probably thought you'd spend on a lens).

First, cheap...a simple Canon EF 50 F8 This one (http://www.adorama.com/CA5018AFUR.html?searchinfo=canon+50mm) is a refurb but you can find them all over for around $100. This lens takes AMAZING pics...far sharper than your kit lens. But it is a prime lense and has not telephoto at all. Still, bang for the buck, no better Cannon lens out there.

Expensive: For around $600, you can turn your XSi into an almost pro-level camera (not really, but closer than you will get for less than several thousand dollars). This lens is such a great all around lens for longer shots (further than 15 feet). Light, fast, zoom, sharp, F4, in body focus...great lens. Well worth the $600. Again, this one linked here is a refurb but they are new around $600 a lot of places. Shop from Adorama or Amazon online. http://www.adorama.com/US%20353936.html?searchinfo=cannon+70-200

I had one but sold it. I went with the 70-200mm f/4 L lens and couldn't be happier. I also had the 28-135mm lens that came with my kit, but sold it off and bought the Canon 24-70mm and my picture quality has never been better.

I have the 35-135 as a kit. I've only used it a few times soon after I bought my 40D kit. If anyone wants this lens it can be had for $325. I shoot portrait only, with a 50mm lens.

email me your info at jimmach@gmail.com if interested.

#1, I have this lens, a 28-105, and the XS kit lens. For indoor family, I usually use the XS with the kit lens. For outdoor, I use both the XS with the 18-55 and the XTi with this 55-250 (because I don't change lenses outdoor, if you ask why).

Now I'm tired with them. Canon once offered a 18-250 for 500-ish but now I don't see it anywhere. Now I want to trade or sell both the 55-250 and the 28-105 for either a Tamron 18-250 or a sigma 18-250. People say they are decent. The price is double, but you almost have two lenses in one. There IS acceptable distortion, by the way, but their flexibility is rewarding.

Bottomline: if you don't desperately need it for some event NOW, then save some money for a more versatile lens. You will thank me later for this. And btw, if you really really like something like this NOW but you do not have money to pay at once NOW, then take a look at amazon. They finance on these for a year or more, free interest and no pay, sometimes.

This lens sucks, get a used L lens.

#1 I would recommend this lens to you. You state that you are accustomed to the kit lens (which is one of the most convenient lenses that you can put on your camera when you factor in the macro ability), then this lens would be the logical choice for you. The 55-250is is similar in quality with less C/A (because of an Apochromatic lens element). Checkout Photozone .de for comparisons. The kit lenses are an incredible value compared to the huge price jump to something else. There is some vignetting when used wide open which is my biggest mark against it, being an ef-s instead of a full frame design.

For $200, this is a great lens. Small and light enough to carry around just in case you need a longer focal length. Image quality is decent enough - much better than the horrible 75-300. I have one. Sure, it's slow, it's plastic, it doesn't compare to an L lens, but hey, it's $200.

I'd recommend the 70-200mm f/4 L instead of this lens. I purchased it for $479 from Amazon.com after all discounts back in 5/2007 so deals are sometimes available. The photos from it are phenomenal.

You may also want to consider whether EF-S is what you want depending on what body you plan to buy next. The new 7D accepts EF-S lenses, but if you're going to eventually jump to a 5DMII you'll have a lens that's no longer usable.

To #9. I agree with 50mm lens for portrait. I got a 50D and 50mm 1.4 ($384) for my baby and I love it. The reduced depth of field makes for a spectacular portrait. I think somewhere down the line I will move to the next lens and it will be a zoom. This discussion is helpful. The lens will go with you to the next body (and the way the sensors are changing it will be sooner rather than later). I do not go with expensive bodies because of that, but the lens should be the main expenditure. Now if only I can figure out how to set up a cheap home studio with flashes/soft boxes/backgrounds ...

You probably already know that you can do portrait with most lenses, depending on lighting. Actually this lens can do portrait quite well at either wide or tele end (x 1.6 full frame equiv.).

The 50/1.8 and 50/1.4 are excellent, but they are not his concern.

Well, if you are certain you mostly shoot wildlife or the moon or your neighbor's things, then get this. Um, no, get the brand new for about $50 more at the Amazon. Only God know what happened to the refurbished glass.

Canon 50/1.8 or 50/1.4 takes very good pictures but they are not as versatile.

If you really want a telephoto lens that takes great portraits and wildlife pictures, go with the Canon 70-200L f/4. You can't go wrong with that with its price at $599. Compared to this 55-250mm, the 70-200L shines by lots when you look at the color, contrasts and sharpness.

wait for any of your friends to step in for 7D, and ask them to get the kit which comes with the excellent 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM for an extra $200.

Like in my case, I will do it for my friend. 28-135mm is the most affordable lens.

great info guys.

quick question, I have the XSi as well and I love taking landscape shots. how would this lens compare with the 50mm? I know when "zoomed" out it's only 5mm difference. sorry if this is a dumb question, but I just got into photography.

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I'm most likely going to go with the 28-135mm in the meantime since it sounds like the most cost efficient investment. If time and money permit, I will consider the other lenses you have all recommended. Thanks!