The XSi Starter Kit will make using your camera more pleasurable and productive. The kit includes the Canon 200-DG Digital Gadget Bag, an LP-E5 Battery Pack, and a 58mm UV Haze Protection Filter. The Gadget Bag can hold all of your camera accessories and up to 3 additional lenses; the additional LP-E5 Battery Pack provides more shooting power so you can take pictures longer; and the UV Haze Protection Filter fits most Canon Lenses and protects the front element of the lens from dirt and scratches while also correcting for Ultraviolet (UV) light which can produce a bluish cast in your images and obscure distant details.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Good Kit
This came with my T1i. I don’t know if it’s worth $100 by itself. You definitely will need an extra battery, and having the UV filter is nice for protection purposes. The bag is just OK. Maybe because I prefer backpacks. I used some quad shox to turn it into a backpack and it works ok. I can carry the T1i body, 3 lenses, filters, cables and strap the tripod below.

5 Stars Great deal
The pictures don’t do the bag justice. Was very surprised and pleased when I opened it.

5 Stars Good storage bag.
Good for long term storage. Too large to take with you. Good construction and a lot of room. Just a little pricey.

5 Stars Light with plenty of room!
This bag is great! It is light but has plenty of room! Amazon also had a great deal on this product when compared to local stores.

5 Stars Great Accessory for Canon SLR Camera
I recently purchased my 1st canon SLR digital camera and needed something to keep it in. I was searching the stores first before coming to Amazon, but for the price this bag is way worth picking up on Amazon. This same bag sells for a lot more in a retail store that carries canon SLR cameras. It’s great for storing extra lenses and parts for the camera. Good construction that seems it will last quite a while. I would recommend this bag to others.

Buy/More Info

The L-series is Canon’s flagship professional lens range, designed to include outstanding image performance, ultimate operability and weather resistance. The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM offers a lightweight alternative to the renowned EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM. offers the highest possible optical quality with no change in aperture over the full focal range of the lens. This allows photographers to set exposure at the widest aperture and zoom all the way through to 105mm without having to vary the shutter speed. Image Stabilizer (IS) dramatically reduces image blur caused by camera shake. Gyro sensors detect unwanted vibrations, triggering the corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. This alters the light path, returning the image to its correct position on the sensor or film plane. The 3 stop advantage means that photographers normally shooting a 105mm lens handheld at 1/125 sec can obtain a shake free result with a shutter speed as low as 1/15 sec, for vastly extended options in low light conditions. The ring-type USM motor found in the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM employs ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive auto focus with unrivalled speed and near-silent operation. A powerful CPU and improved AF algorithm contribute to speed performance. Good holding torque stops the lens with precision and accuracy, the instant it arrives at the correct focus point and without overshoot. Photographers can choose manual focus instantly and at any time simply by moving the manual focus ring without first having to switch out of auto focus mode. Circular aperture producing attractive background defocus Inner focusing, ring USM and new AF algorithms for fast and quiet autofocusing Manual focusing enabled even during AF mode (full-time mechanical manual focus) Only environmentally friendly lead-free glass used in lens construction Filter diameter 77 mm / Dimensions (dia x len)

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great Lens
I am an amateur and this is my first L lens. If you could get only one lens, THIS is the one!

The pictures and videos look great.

4 Stars Great Everyday Lens
I had tried this lens first on the 5DMII and thought the IQ was terrific. I then tired it on the 40D and although not as great as on the 5DMII the difference from my non “L” lenses was appreciable. When I purchased my 7D I was hoping this was the kit lens so that I could take advantage of the discounted price, but unfortunately it wasn’t part of the package. I payed full price for it and that is my only complaint. The IQ doesn’t seem to be as good on the 7D (a cropped sensor) as is on the full frame 5DMII, but is still much better than the 17-55 mm that I used as my everyday lens for the 40D. For the price, I think it could have been better than an f/4.0 -especially for indoor low light situations. It’s quiet and focuses quickly. Overall, I think it’s a great lens and if you can swallow the price then you won’t regret getting it.

4 Stars Quality lens
Very good quality lens, feels solid and the picture quality is lovely.

Lens ships with UV filter, canon soft case and sun shield.

5 Stars Canon EF 24-70mm vs. 24-105mm IS: Read this if you are a hobbyist
I am a hobbyist and this review is for people like me. What I mean by that is that I take pictures for fun and nobody buys my pictures. I mostly shoot landscape, nature, and portraits of family, friends, and relatives. I will refer to 24-70mm as the 70, and the 24-105mm IS as the 105. I first made the mistake of buying the 70, then I returned it with a hefty restocking fee and bought the 105 – I don’t have the slightest regret and I could not be happier. I’m taking my time to write this review so that you can spend your hard earned money wisely. Let’s analyze the trade-off between the two:

* Both lenses have excellent build and image quality. So these are not differentiating factors.

* The one and only advantage of the 70 is the one smaller f-stop. For me, this means more blur when I shoot portraits, so this is all good.

* The advantage of 105 over the 70 are as follows:

- You get an extra 35mm, which is 50% more zoom. I like this.

- You get a 3-stop IS. For me, this is a great advantage, because I rarely use tripods and IS saves the day. I would choose the 105 over 70 for the IS alone.

- The 105 is 10 ounces lighter and close to half an inch shorter.

The last part is the most important part: that additional 10 ounces make a heavy lens TOO HEAVY, and that extra length makes a big lens TOO BIG. Carrying the 70 on my 50D was a pain. I can assure you, the 70 is just too heavy to walk around and take pictures for fun. The keyword here is “fun”. The 70 is a pain, the 105 is fun. The 105 is still heavy, but not too heavy. It’s still big, but not too big. After having the 70 for a few weeks, I lost all my joy for shooting. It just made me very uncomfortable (and I’m 6-foot 2). When I replaced it with the 105, it did make a difference. I enjoy taking pictures now, once again. Pros might like the 70 because they need it for their professional work. But if you’re shooting just for fun, stay away from the 70 and get the 105.

4 Stars Excellent All-Purpose Glass
When purchasing the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, I had the option of purchasing it with this lens as part of the package. The combined price represented a savings and the focal-length range of this lens offers a practical, wide selection of options.

The f/4.0 opening at first does not seem very “fast” but all my prime lenses are not much faster, and none of my vintage primes offer auto-focus and image stabilization. This combined with the extreme ISO range of the 5D Mark II renders the f/4.0 of little concern. I have not yet been in a situation where I could not make an image with this lens – even in near-darkness!

It’s a huge heavy lens, which means it’s not going to be as convenient as that little cigarette-pack-sized point-and-shoot 10x zoom, but if you place convenience over all, you probably aren’t in the market for this type of gear anyway. This is convenient in a different way – photographic flexibility, spanning ultra-wide to short telephoto.

As with all zoom lenses, there are compromises to be made. Not fast, not small, it’s also probably not as sharp as a fixed focal length lens. But add up the cost of a 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 105mm, and see if perhaps the value of having them all in one lenses doesn’t tip the scale in favor of a lens perhaps not perfectly sharp, in favor of something you will likely be able to render many images without fumbling and breaking the bank.

And that’s not to say this lens is soft by any means. Sometimes I think all the hype about sharpness, beyond practical limits, is just one-upmanship. It’s the image that matters, and not everything is always sharp is it? I have uploaded some images to show the flexibility of this lens on the 5D Mark II, as employed by my eyes.

I find nothing yet to complain about!

Buy/More Info

EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens with 35mm equivalent of 96mm * compatible with Canon APS-C sensor digital SLR cameras only * USM (ultra sonic motor) for fast, silent focusing * auto focus system allows full-time manual focus override with lens still in AF mode * ideal for close-up, portrait, and available light shooting * working distance: 3-1/2″ from front of lens to subject at life-size (1:1) magnification *

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Canon 60mm….Exellent
I found this product better than 100mm macro, and much lighter, i have it attached to a extension tube and take a very nice macros. sharp and colorfull… im happy with this lens.

5 Stars Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8
This lens was recommended by an underwater photographer who takes awesome pictures. I had also read reviews stating this is a great lens for every day use. I am very impressed with the picture quality and the fact that I don’t have to get as close to the subject to get a great macro shot.

5 Stars Canon Lens
This is my third Canon specific lens for my two EOS units. It is easy to ues, a no brainer, and I love everything about it so far. I’ve had NO problems whatsoever and can recommend it highly to anyone interested in purchasing one like it.

5 Stars Canon EF-S f2.8 60mm Macro Digital SLR lens
This product has impressive build quality and really does the job I bought it to do. The picture quality is sharp and the colors true. I’m excited about the range of photographic possibilities this lens opens up to me. Well worth the money.

5 Stars Amateur enthusiast…LOVE the lens.
INCREDIBLE lens, great for available-light photography, easy to figure out for someone with no formal training. Takes beautiful macro photos. Great advanced beginner multipurpose lens.

Buy/More Info

Capture the far-off action of fast-paced sports or zoom in for an intimate portrait with the Canon EF 75-300mm telephoto zoom lens. This high-performance 4x zoom lens is distinguished by such features as a newly developed micro ultra-sonic monitor (USM) that makes autofocusing quicker and quieter, along with an improved mechanism to make zooming smoother than ever. Plus, the front part of the zoom ring now sports a silver ring, giving the lens a luxurious touch. As with all Canon lens, this 75-300 model carries a one-year warranty.

• Focal length: 75-300mm
• Maximum aperture: 1:4-5.6
• Lens construction: 13 elements in 9 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 32 (at 11 feet) to 8 degrees (at 15 feet)
• Focus adjustment: Front group rotating extension system with USM
• Closest focusing distance: 4.9 feet
• Zoom system: Rotating type
• Filter size: 58mm
• Dimensions: 2.8 inches in diameter, 4.8 inches long
• Weight: 16.8 ounces

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Canon Lens
This lens was purchased for use with a Rebel and has been excellent. It was ready to use the minute it was taken out of the box. Quality in both low light and normal light has been excellent. It is lightweight thus carrying an extra lens is not an issue. These lens are much smaller in size than the Nikon lens I use for my Nikon cameras.

1 Star I Got the Lemon
Very suprised by this product. High expectations were dashed after I installed the lens in my camera an attempted to operate it. The rotational zoom mechanism is ’sticky’ which makes it jump as you are trying to zoom and focus. I don’t know how it got thru the QA check. Anyways I have reported it to Canon and am waiting for a response. Very unhappy with it right now.

4 Stars Great lens
A great product for the price. The lens is “fast” enough for almost every application, and the wide zoom range lends itself to most situations. It is compatible with the Canon system and works in the auto-focus or manual-focus mode. I am pleased with this product.

2 Stars Wish I had bought the 70-300mm
The UPS man just dropped off my lens and I ripped it open eager to play. I am completely happy with the service from Cameta Camera, they were fast and I received exactly what I supposed to. I can only hope they will be as accommodating if I return it. I am very disappointed with my lens however. I wish I had paid heed to some of the more negative comments.

I am using this on my Canon Rebel Xti. I am an artist and amateur photographer but work with my photos for montages and artwork so I need clear pictures. If I want it soft, I’ll do that in Photoshop myself. My pictures are way to soft for my liking. To be fair, it is a cloudy day and I’m shooting through my window. I have no reflection, but I cannot zoom all the way to 300 and get a crisp photo. I cannot even get a crisp photo in the 75 range in this light. I’ve played around with the iso and the speed and still no crispness. Maybe I misunderstood that this lens was for fair conditions (meaning not sunny outside). Maybe it is for outdoor sunny use only, but I have not read that on the Canon site. I do plan to give it another try in sunny conditions before I send it back. (I have 14 days to return and will lose my shipping costs both to and from.) Inside with normal can lighting (like in a kitchen) is just as bad.Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

If it performs well in the sunny conditions, I will have to decide if it’s worth the $ for just perfect conditions. I am very close to forking over the extra $$ for the 70-300 mm. But will post again, probably an edit or addition to this review.

If someone (like a pro) can tell me if I have unrealistic expectations of this lens, please tell me.

5 Stars Christmas Gift
This item is going to be a Christmas gift for our daughter. She loves this lens and wanted one of her own.

Buy/More Info

Bringing a new level of versatility and capability to flash photography, the Speedlite 430EX II features a powerful flash (guide number of 141 ft./43m at ISO 100) with a fast recycling time in a compact, durable body. A one-touch quick-lock mechanism makes it easy to attach or detach the 430EX II from the camera and a metal foot has been added for strength and durability. Flash controls can now be set through the camera’s LCD screen on compatible EOS Digital SLR cameras. The Speedlite 430EX II is also quieter, recycle time is 20 percent faster (as compared to the 430EX) and since it is compatible with Canon’s wireless E-TTL, it can be used as an affordable “slave unit.”

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Case needs a belt loop
Not much to add that hasn’t been said, but I wish the storage case had a belt loop. It wouldn’t add more than pennies to the cost, but would let you carry it on your belt when you need it but don’t want it mounted full time, or let you run your camera bag strap through it when space in the bag’s at a premium. Still five stars.

4 Stars Canon 430EX II
The Canon 430EX II. Using the unit with the Canon SX1 IS and works very well. Controls easy to work. The LCD is large enough, but in low light a little hard to read. Some of the functions can not be used with the SX1, but for my use it’s no problem. The way the unit locks on to the camera is much better then turning the screw knob I had on my 540EZ. I looked at the 580EX, but that is a bit to large for the SX1. I think it’s a good flash for the amature or pro. Ordered from Amazon and had the unit in 3 days.

5 Stars yes please
Great flash, enough said. Small in size and in price when it comes to new flash units. Works great, especially since I do not need anything bigger!

5 Stars Canon Speedlite 430EX II
Obviously, goes well with the EOS cameras. I’ve only had it for less than a week, so I’m still learning how to use the large number of features. These features provide a lot of flexibility, especially when coupled with all of the different camera modes. Recycle time and battery consumption also seem to be good, again given the short amount of time I’ve been using it (but a lot of test shots). I’ve gotten good results with flash coverage as far as 30′ (which may not be its limit, but it’s as much as I’ve used so far). The low light focus assist is a great benefit in speeding up the camera’s focus under those conditions. It’s not a small unit, but not unwieldy, either. The rotate/bounce really helps to soften the sometimes harsh flash light. This seems to be a great addition to my EOS camera.

4 Stars Very Good overall
Before I bought this item, I did a little research by reading reviews from people who’ve purchased this particular flash as well as asking those with more experience. I was told that the 430EX was a good flash to get started with–and they were right. I use a Canon Rebel XSi(450D) and I tried looking at the 580 but it looked much too massive for it. Although the 580 has features that the 430 doesn’t, I’m not a professional photographer that owns a studio for portraits and stuff, so I decided on the simpler model. I love the fact that it swivels up and down, left to right to achieve certain lighting effects that you wouldn’t get with lower-end flashes. I was a tiny bit disappointed that the light it emits isn’t much stronger that the built-in flash, BUT in order to be fair, I haven’t had the opportunity to discover its maximum potential yet. There is a shutter synchro function (as well as other functions) that I haven’t played around with, and when I do, I’d be sure tell you all about it. Overall, its a good flash to own and I’d recommend it to those who, like me, are just getting started learning the fine art of photography.

Buy/More Info

Perfect for expanding your creative options on compact cameras and entry-level EOS DSLRs, Canon’s Speedlite 270EX adds power and flexibility for enhanced flash photography anywhere. Light, compact and small enough to fit in your pocket, Speedlite 270EX features 2-step coverage for 28mm and 50mm focal lengths, plus a highly useful bounce-flash function for amazingly easy, polished results. An indispensable complement to your Canon camera, Speedlite 270EX is a perfect extension of your photographic genius.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Speedlite 270 EX
This flash was purchased to use on my canon G9 and I did not want something too large. The 270 EX is the perfect size for this and all G series cameras. The tilt head is also an added benefit for bounce flash. I find this flash to be more than adequate for interior shots and would not shot without it.

5 Stars Nice compact flash to take anywhere
I bought the 270EX to add to my Powershot SX10IS. Using the flash unit is simple: snap on, turn on, aim, fire. That’s it. Have two AAs handy. That’s all you need. No knobs, no digital settings, no programming of any kind. No frills. But this little unit will do the job. Since the SX10IS is now my backup camera, the 270EX provides the portability and basic added service I need. No professional shots with this speedlite. But pictures with the SX10IS are so much better illuminated now and not overly harshly. I also use a diffuser and I recommend you use one too, if you eventually settle on this little unit. The price is right and the results just perfect for the kind of photography the 270EX is designed for. Give this flash a serious consideration. You won’t be disappointed.

4 Stars simple, affordable, easy.
I have a Canon PowerShot Pro1 and I’m working on upgrading it with some accessories. This is the first accessory flash I’ve ever owned and I’ve found it to be quite capable, especially considering its relatively inexpensive price tag (compared to other more “professional” models).

The flash runs on two AA batteries, so it’s easy to carry spares and pop new ones in in just a few seconds, even while you’re on the go. The unit slides easily onto my Canon camera, but will not mount up to my old 35mm Minolta. I had been under the misguided impression that all ‘hot shoe’ fittings were universal across the camera world and I was proven quite wrong. Anyway, once mounted, the flip of a small switch locks the flash securely to the camera. The flash also comes with a protective nylon-feeling bag in which to store the unit when not in use.

The flash is quite versatile for a beginner or intermediate photographer as the flash output is fully adjustable (through your camera’s menu settings). The flash itself has physically adjustable settings for regular “straight on” flash photography, as well as telephoto pictures. The flash will also tilt upwards to varying angles to allow you to ‘bounce’ the flash off the ceiling in order to create a softer, more natural overhead lighting effect instead of blasting your subject straight on with a blinding flash.

I’ve taken nearly 200 photos on my first set of batteries, and I am noticing that the flash takes quite a while to warm up initially, however once warm, it seems to recycle in between shots at a reasonably quick rate.

In summary, if you want to expand your Canon D-SLR camera’s flexibility and usefulness without dropping $400-500 on an accessory flash, this is the one for you. This unit has a smaller size and a smaller price tag than many other models, but packs a lot of punch.

5 Stars Great entry level flash
Perfect flash for my new Canon SX20IS. Compact size and easy controls with the ability to bounce the flash.

5 Stars Speedlite 270EX – nice little package
I’m really happy with this flash. I tested it against my 430EX in my livingroom by bouncing both off the sloped ceiling. I tested both with and without a diffuser. I have an Omnibounce for the 430EX and a Zeikos diffuser for the 270EX. The 270EX did just as well as the 430EX with consideration to exposure, albeit the 430EX took no time to recycle and the 270 about 1-2 seconds. No recycle time if shooting straight ahead. Not bad for such a small package. Fits my G11 and SX10 very nicely. At less than 1/3 the size of the 430EX it’s very light and easy to carry.

Couple of caveats –

270EX has no manual controls so flash exposure must be done with the camera.

The head doesn’t swivel so the camera cannot be used in the portrait position if you want to bounce the flash off the ceiling. You can bounce it off the wall though if side lighting. Bouncing off the ceiling can be accomplished by using a hot shoe adapter cord and removing the flash from the camera and then aim the flash at the ceiling.

Although the 270EX isn’t as powerful as the 430 series, extra reach can be obtained by bumping up the camera’s ISO one notch.

All in all a powerful flash for it’s size.

Buy/More Info

This telephoto macro lens is capable of focusing to life-size (1X) without attachments. Although it replaces the EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, it is a completely new design. It incorporates a ring-type USM giving quiet, high-speed autofocus. The full-time mechanical manual focus gives very smooth manual focusing. For the first time in a 1X focusing telephoto macro lens, inner focusing is used.The lens length remains constant and a long working distance of 149mm makes worrying about getting too close to the subject unnecessary. Also, during focusing the front ring does not rotate making use of front-mounting accessories like macro ring lites simple and effective. “Three-group floating” focusing construction uses three independently moving groups, which holds focusing-related changes of aberrations to a minimum giving excellent image quality all the way from infinity to life size.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars I use this for nature close-ups…
…but it’ll work for portraits. It’s as sharp as the more expensive a 24-70L lens and its color rendition is nearly as good. I’ve loaned it to budding photographers who have used kit lenses only and they can’t believe the image quality. Some of my best photos have come from this lens.

5 Stars Awsome Lens!!
One of my favorites. I tried the 50 and 100mm macros before buying the 100 and I couldn’t be happier. I take a lot of pics of flowers and bees and the extra reach of the 100mm allows me to get the good shot without scaring off the bees.

5 Stars What a great Lens!
Image from this lens is superior, deep and field come incredible and very sharp pictures. The macro allow you to take very small objects…almost every picture I take with this lens come out as high quality wallpaper.

It’s a little bulky but this is what you can expect considering the optics involved.

Highly recommended.

5 Stars My favorite lens!!!
First, I shoot with a Canon 40D and am an on-location photographer of families and children. I also love shooting nature and “things” – close ups of rust, the curve of a bench chair, dew on clematis, etc…

This lens is amazing for my purposes! At 2.8 I can follow playful toddlers around in a variety of lighting conditions and still get the shot. And for posed portraits, the bokeh is amazing, people have never looked so good! So overall, I prefer this lens to my 70-200 f4 L, even though I can’t zoom and have to move myself to compose shots. But the lower f-stop, the tack-sharp images, the ability to shoot macro, the weight (it seems lighter and less bulky than my 70-200), all tip the scale in the 100mm’s favor.

If you were considering the 70-200 f4 and decide to get the 100mm, you might want to consider picking up the “nifty fifty” 1.8 – another prime lens, and quite inexpensive too, but one of my FAVORITES, so versatile, I just love it. You can get wonderful dof effects by shooting things up close – the eyelashes of a child, an engagement ring perched on a newborn’s foot, the stamens of a lily….plus it lets you shoot group shots indoors with relative ease….

Anyway, back to the 100mm – a great investment, I use this lens all the time and it is fantastic.

4 Stars Great lens for the price!
I am an advanced amateur. I bought this Canon lens to round out my array of lenses for my Rebel XSi. I was interested in taking macro shots of bugs and other small objects, plus have the capability of a portrait lens. I haven’t had it for very long and I haven’t taken a lot of pictures yet, but it is impressive in its sharpness and accurate focusing. It focuses to .9 foot but you have to have a steady hand since it doesn’t have IS. Construction is solid (notice the weight) and all focusing is internal, so the barrel doesn’t move in and out. This is a great feature for macro images.

I recommend it highly but if I had the extra money I would go for the Canon 100mm macro lens with IS. That is the only reason I gave it a 4.0 rating.

Buy/More Info

Canon is a leader in professional business and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. By developing innovative, high-quality business solutions Canon makes it easy to create, manage, and share images and information better, faster, and more efficiently.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Great for the price
I bought this a few months ago and have been happy with it. The quality of construction seems good and it is easy to adjust length quickly. It easily handles my Canon Rebel XSI even with a 70-200 f/2.8 lens which is quite heavy. I have not tried more expensive monopods and this one seems adequate for my needs. I plan to use it during school functions with the kids and for extra stability for non-IS lenses.

5 Stars Good Monopod
Bought this monopod nearly a year now and love it!! Have not used it much, but it works well when i need it.

I am 5′10″ tall and when i have my nikon d40 mounted at full extension i have to tip on my toes to see through the eyepiece. Therefore, it should work well for persons in excess of 6′ tall with larger cameras.

The head feels solid but i cant say how it would perform with much heavier cameras. Treat it well and it will return the favour.

4 Stars Well built and sturdy
I bought this to replace my tripod. I didn’t realized it can’t replace a tripod, but like it just the same. It is made well and is very sturdy. Once I get the hang of this item I am sure I will use it more and more.

4 Stars Very good monopod
I was surprised by the quality and material this product is made of for this price tag!

It is very well built and truly deserves the Canon logo on it.

However, I am a night phtography fan, and to be honest I have discovered this hobby for only two years till now so you can’t say I’m a pro, I bought this monopod to test and see if it will help me get rid of my heavy tripod. Here are my results:

1- Portability: monopod 10/10 – tripod 3/10

2- Weight: mono: very light – tri: well it depends on which brand and price tag you got, but for sure this monopod is a lot lighter than any tripod out there.

3- Steadiness for long exposure shooting: mono: 8/10 if you are sticking the monopod between guard rails or leaning on a wall for example but 2/10 if you are trying to hold it vertically still especially if it is extended to your height which is most of the cases, so you still need to make it lean on something to get very good still photo if your exposure is 2 seconds or more, for less than 2 seconds exposures, I am far better off without the monopod by kneeling on the ground and resting one elbow on the other knee and the other elbow on my chest while using an Image Stabalizer than using a monopod – tripod: 10/10

4- Size when retracted: mono 9/10 (nice copmact and easy to store anywhere, heck it fits in the magazines pocket at the back of the drivers seat in your car) – Tripod: 6/10

5 Stars Better Than Expected
Lightweight, sturdy, and easy adjustment. This is exactly what I was looking for to take to the National Parks where a tripod would be a burden.

Buy/More Info

Bring your photographic subjects closer with this Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Telephoto Zoom Lens. It is designed with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer technology and is compact and light. This high zoom ratio lens is equivalent to a focal length of 88-400mm in the 35mm format (when used on Canon EOS cameras compatible with EF-S lenses). The image stabilizer effect is equivalent to a shutter speed about 4 stops faster than the same size lens without Image Stabilizer. In other words, if the slowest shutter speed you could formerly hold a 250mm lens steadily was 1/250th of a second, with Canon’s 4-stop stabilization correction, you could hand-hold at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15th of a second. It also uses a UD-glass lens element to correct chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range. Filter Size – 58mm Max. Diameter – x Length 2.8 in. x 4.3 in./70 x 108mm (maximum lens length) Weight – 13.8 oz./390g Canon 1 year limited warranty

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Very impressive lens
I did a lot of research prior to buying this lens. I have a Canon Rebel XSI, and the combination of this camera and the 55mm to 250 mm telephoto lens is excellent. The image quality is very, very good. I purchased it from Quality Photo through Amazon.com and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Great price, fast delivery.

E.F. Stone

Fitchburg, Ma.

4 Stars Great value.
I received this lens in a package with my T1i. I think it compliments the kit lens (18-55mm) immensely. Now I have everything covered from wide to telephoto. The IS works very well even out to 250mm. I can hand hold most shots @250mm in daylight. Photos of the moon at night are incredible. You can what seems like every detail of every crater. Great value for the money!

5 Stars Good stable lens
I’m still learning what this lens likes and doesn’t like. For example, it does vignette sometimes but I can see that ahead of time and I just back off full telephoto a bit.

If you’re a novice, don’t forget to turn off the IS when using a tripod. And just because there is IS, it doesn’t mean there won’t be hand shake problems at less than 1/250th speed.

Set camera to center focus so that you get what you want in focus. I use Auto focus 98% of the time. The lens is very responsive and you have to be careful to focus on what you really want. Got some nice sharp photos of small, fast birds in flight and some dogs on a dead run.

Color quality seems good for the most part. Occasionally I get something with a bluish tinge but I think that’s the camera rather than the tele since other pics of the same area at the same time were fine.

As one reviewer said somewhere, get to know what the lens will and won’t do.

I’m really pleased with the price and the results. I don’t want to spend $1000 on a lens since this is a hobby not a profession.

5 Stars I love this lens
This is the first lens I used other than the lens that came with my EOS Rebel XS kit and I love it. I bought it for my family trip to Walt Disney World and it performed better than I expected. The auto focus can be a little slow but not that bad to deal with. Picture quality is really good. Over all I am happy with the purchase.

5 Stars Cannon EF-S 55-225mm Lens Review
This lens was a gift for my girlfriend who is an avid, professional photographer. It was an instant hit with her. The picture quality of this lens with the image stabilization was second to none. Also, the ease of use of the lens was excellent. Finally, Cannon is an excellent company with excellent manufacturing. This lens was a good buy and a very good product.

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This compact and lightweight EF 75-300mm telephoto zoom lens is ideal for shooting sports, portraits, and wildlife. The lens is distinguished by a newly developed micro ultra-sonic monitor (USM) that makes autofocusing quicker and quieter, along with an improved zoom mechanism that includes a silver ring on the front for a luxurious touch. The micro USM makes this version of the lens particularly suitable for applications that require a fast autofocus, such as sporting events or wildlife shoots. Best of all, the USM version shares many of the same features that makes the non-USM lens so popular, such as a compact size, a close focusing range, and accessory compatibility. As with all Canon lenses, this unit carries a one-year warranty.

• Focal length: 75-300mm
• Maximum aperture: 1:4.5-5.6
• Lens construction: 13 elements in 9 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 32 degrees (at 11 feet) to 8 degrees (at 15 feet)
• Focus adjustment: Front group rotating extension system with USM
• Closest focusing distance: 4.9 feet
• Zoom system: Rotating type
• Filter size: 58mm
• Dimensions: 2.8 inches in diameter, 4.8 inches long
• Weight: 16.8 ounces

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Cannon EF 75-300mm lens
The lens was everything I had hoped it would be. I take pictures of my kids’ soccer games. It allows me to get up close and personal and gives me great action shots.

3 Stars Was free with the deal I did, but…
I got it free with my new camera, but I wish I sold it and bought a 55-250mm with IS or a 18-200mm with IS. They are much more expensive, but I hate having to remove it to put on a 18-55mm IS lens for indoor or closer range things. I can’t complain too much since it was free. It’s just that to fit in my camera case well this must be attached and in most cases I need to remove it and grab my other lens to take a picture. Not a bad lens, but you may get annoyed when you want to switch back and forth like me. Don’t let this review deter you from buying it, I just had to put my two cents in.

4 Stars It was good enough for me.
I have EOS Revel T1i, and very very beginner. That being said: I have 10-22mm ultra-wide, and 18-55mm standard zoom, and they are both fine, but I just wanted a lens that goes above 55mm.

So here it is. I do not have any complain about the picture quality so far, I just wanted to see what 300mm is like, and its definitely a different world, and I am happy to know that. USM is pretty nice too, so you may want to spend a few more bucks on it to get it. My standard zoom lens has standard motor and its slow and noisy. Anyway, I got what I expected, and again, I am happy.

5 Stars A very good telephoto lens with great price!!!
This is a great telephoto lens with very quick and accurate focusing. I am using it with my Canon XTi 15.1Mpixels and I got great photos out of them! At high zoom you get less light going inside the lens but when you have to choose between 100 – 3200 ISO this is not a problem! Overall a good lens whit good capabilities.

3 Stars One word: unpredictable
Looking for lenses for my Canon Rebel XS, it was hard to find any within my price range, let alone under $200. I came across the Canon EF 75-300mm III USM telephoto zoom lens for a reasonable price, and pulled the triggered and bought one.

If I had to sum up my experience with this lens, I’d use one word: unpredictable. This is not a bad lens, because it takes many great pictures. Conversely, this is not a good lens, because it takes many bad pictures. I’ll elaborate below:

PRICE

This is a really good price for an additional lens. Yes, it may seem expensive, but when you compare to other lenses on the market, it’s pretty reasonable. If you’re on a very tight budget and are looking for a telephoto zoom lens, this is great

AUTO-FOCUS

This I felt was at times very slow, which was very frustrating. Assuming you’re buying a telephoto lens for capturing fast movement – say, a bird in the distance, or a sporting event – this can be very frustrating. A lot of my photos from a recent family trip to Aruba were ruined because either (a) I couldn’t capture the moment, (b) I captured the moment, but out of focus. I cannot emphasize how frustrating this is!

MANUAL FOCUS

As a natural extension of my previous point regarding auto-focus, I found myself using manual focus a lot. I have taken some amazing pictures on manual focus, but this can be inconvenient, say you’re shooting something that is moving, etc.

RELIABILITY

If you’re looking for a reliable lens that time and time again produces nothing but very sharp, in-focus pictures, this is not your best bet. If, on the other hand, you’re a beginner, just learning to play with your DSLR, and want a telephoto lens to practice with, go for this. If you can afford to upgrade to a better lens, however, I’d suggest you do that.

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