Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras

The Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM is compact, lightweight and is compatible with all EOS cameras and ideal for digital SLR's. When used on the EOS Digital Rebel, it's equivalent to an approx. 90-320mm lens. The 13-element design's new optical coatings are optimized for digital cameras. It focuses down to under 4 feet (1.2m), and its Micro USM-powered AF is faster than ever, due to new electronics within the lens.

1 You get what you pay for ...
This is a re-tread of Canon's APS 55-200 lens. It complements the 18-55 that comes with the Digital Rebel, but doesn't really have much else going for it. So-so image quality, and cheap plastic/poor quality construction. In general, a wobbly lens is NOT a good thing!

If you're looking for something in this price range, I would recommend the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM. For about the same money, you get ring USM, better image quality, and solid construction.

If really need the longer focal length, spend the extra money for a 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM which has image stabilization and comparable image and build quality to the 28-105. Or invest in a 70-200 f/4 L, which while pricey, is a vastly superior lens that will last a lifetime, and hold its resale value.

2 Good for the price, but not stunning
I bought this lens to complement the 18-55mm that came with my Digital Rebel, giving me a complete range from 18-200mm. Given that the Rebel effectively makes all lenses more telephoto (multiply by 1.6 for 35mm equivalent), and that I like to shoot in the range near 55mm, this lens seemed like a better idea than the more readily available 75-300mm lenses.

Its build quality feels a lot like that of the 18-55mm, a little wobbly but nothing that interferes with using it. Autofocus seems a bit slow sometimes, but that may also just be the smaller aperture (and less light), especially at the telephoto end. My only real complaint is that the lens has some softness to it, especially past 135, even when I use a small aperture and mount it on a tripod.

For the price, though, it's excellent, and should hold me for the years it'll take to save up for L-series glass.

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