Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS

AlvinT · 16th January 2009

Hi all,

Newbie here and greetings to all.

I have a question on my newly purchase lens - the popular 55 - 250 IS. I don't know if it is normal or something wrong with the lens. I try to describe and see if you people get what i mean.
When I put in AF mode and half press the shutter button, i will see something like a slight shake through the viewfinder when the focus locks on. Seems like while focusing, the focusing ring turns and once the subject is locked on, there will be a slight shake or jerk and i can see the view thru the viewfinder moves slightly even when i hold the camera very steady.
Is this normal for longer lenses as i do not experience this in the kit lens? Or something loose in there?

Appreciate all your advises. Thank you.

cklingkwok · 16th January 2009

I believe it is normal. It will shake for a while before the IS take action.
Nikon VR work the same way.

zhiw3i · 16th January 2009

IS kicks in, thats y the shake. u can turn off IS and try again, it shouldnt shake anymore.

nawarigp · 16th January 2009

Hi AlvinT, i think i experienced the same thing as you do.

I don't know what happen with this lens, for me (individually) i blame this lens for being cheap lens and it's made in Malaysia (Not made in Japan like other lens do).

zhiw3i · 16th January 2009

Originally Posted by nawarigp

Hi AlvinT, i think i experienced the same thing as you do. I don't know what happen with this lens, for me (individually) i blame this lens for being cheap lens and it's made in Malaysia (Not made in Japan like other lens do).

there is nothing wrong with the lens. its just the IS working.

mahathir · 17th January 2009

I owned the 55-250mm. I have been using it quite often. The lens shakes a bit but all this is normal. If it doesnt sheake then I will get worries. Dont worry, if you concentrate so much on your subject, you will forget about the shakes. On a note, i wish i can own the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens...

happy shooting!

chjohans · 17th January 2009

I can recommend the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 as a more affordable alternative. I was eyeing the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 as well but chose the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 instead. Partially because of the lower price but even more for the compact size compared to a high quality 70-200mm (Sigma has one as well). I got the Sigma 1.4x tele converter as well and it works nicely with this lens with very little loss in image quality and it converts this lens into a 70-210mm f/4 lens. Only drawback is no IS but hey, I don't wanna get too lazy so that's ok!

This complements my Sigma 120-400mm very well and the tele converter works with the latter as well but only with manual focus (and a bit more reduced image quality so only to be used when I *really* need that extra reach).

gunawan · 18th January 2009

Yo Alvin,
That shake u're describing. It depends how severe the shake is. U didn't describe the intensity of the vibration to know if there is something wrong wif the IS. For the 55-250, the IS vibration is quite imperceptible, from my experience, unlike the Sigma 120-400 OS, who's vibration is pretty much obvious & little more noisy. Yr 55-250's IS is much quieter in comparison. A little slight vibration is normal as it shows the IS at work, however, if you feel it really vibrates a hellava lot, I suggest u test your buddy's 55-250 and exchange shooting and see if the vibration level is the same: if its similar, your lens is OK, if your bud's lens doesnt vibrate that much, u gotta send it for checkup. Anyway, the 55-250 IS is a fantastic lens for its price, relatively sharp, light and most importantly, its cheap. I never believe the motto most rich chaps use ' if its cheap, its lousy'. Mine is the opposite, 'If its Cheap, its GOOD!'

AlvinT · 19th January 2009

Hi everybody,

Thanks for the advise. It is just a slight "shake" when looking into the viewfinder when the focus locks on and the be-beep sound.

Think it should be fine if it is the IS kicking in. I feel more at ease now and will shoot more with the new lens.

Thanks everybody,

AlvinT

16th January 2009	#1
AlvinT New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 16	Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS Hi all, Newbie here and greetings to all. I have a question on my newly purchase lens - the popular 55 - 250 IS. I don't know if it is normal or something wrong with the lens. I try to describe and see if you people get what i mean. When I put in AF mode and half press the shutter button, i will see something like a slight shake through the viewfinder when the focus locks on. Seems like while focusing, the focusing ring turns and once the subject is locked on, there will be a slight shake or jerk and i can see the view thru the viewfinder moves slightly even when i hold the camera very steady. Is this normal for longer lenses as i do not experience this in the kit lens? Or something loose in there? Appreciate all your advises. Thank you.

16th January 2009	#2
cklingkwok Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 192	Re: Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS I believe it is normal. It will shake for a while before the IS take action. Nikon VR work the same way.

16th January 2009	#3
zhiw3i Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 373	Re: Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS IS kicks in, thats y the shake. u can turn off IS and try again, it shouldnt shake anymore.

16th January 2009	#4
nawarigp Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 52	Re: Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS Hi AlvinT, i think i experienced the same thing as you do. I don't know what happen with this lens, for me (individually) i blame this lens for being cheap lens and it's made in Malaysia (Not made in Japan like other lens do).

17th January 2009	#6
mahathir Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Side, Tampines Posts: 230	Re: Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS I owned the 55-250mm. I have been using it quite often. The lens shakes a bit but all this is normal. If it doesnt sheake then I will get worries. Dont worry, if you concentrate so much on your subject, you will forget about the shakes. On a note, i wish i can own the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens... happy shooting! __________________ Canon EOS 50D, EFS 10-250mm f/3.5-5.6, EF 50mm f/1.8 II, 270EX

17th January 2009	#7
chjohans New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 35	Re: Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS I can recommend the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 as a more affordable alternative. I was eyeing the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 as well but chose the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 instead. Partially because of the lower price but even more for the compact size compared to a high quality 70-200mm (Sigma has one as well). I got the Sigma 1.4x tele converter as well and it works nicely with this lens with very little loss in image quality and it converts this lens into a 70-210mm f/4 lens. Only drawback is no IS but hey, I don't wanna get too lazy so that's ok! This complements my Sigma 120-400mm very well and the tele converter works with the latter as well but only with manual focus (and a bit more reduced image quality so only to be used when I really need that extra reach).

18th January 2009	#8
gunawan Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 321	Re: Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS Yo Alvin, That shake u're describing. It depends how severe the shake is. U didn't describe the intensity of the vibration to know if there is something wrong wif the IS. For the 55-250, the IS vibration is quite imperceptible, from my experience, unlike the Sigma 120-400 OS, who's vibration is pretty much obvious & little more noisy. Yr 55-250's IS is much quieter in comparison. A little slight vibration is normal as it shows the IS at work, however, if you feel it really vibrates a hellava lot, I suggest u test your buddy's 55-250 and exchange shooting and see if the vibration level is the same: if its similar, your lens is OK, if your bud's lens doesnt vibrate that much, u gotta send it for checkup. Anyway, the 55-250 IS is a fantastic lens for its price, relatively sharp, light and most importantly, its cheap. I never believe the motto most rich chaps use ' if its cheap, its lousy'. Mine is the opposite, 'If its Cheap, its GOOD!'

19th January 2009	#9
AlvinT New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 16	Re: Is there a problem with my 55-250 IS Hi everybody, Thanks for the advise. It is just a slight "shake" when looking into the viewfinder when the focus locks on and the be-beep sound. Think it should be fine if it is the IS kicking in. I feel more at ease now and will shoot more with the new lens. Thanks everybody, AlvinT