Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 Image Stabilization STM Zoom Lens (Silver)

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Love this lens!

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My primary camera system is the 5Dmk3 with a half dozen L lenses including the 70-300L and 135L. The biggest selling point for this efm 55-200 and the M system in general is its compactness and reasonably good image quality. In this regard this lens does not disappoint. Itd be silly to compare image quality to my L lenses; however, in most situations I find it good enough. I find this absolutely the best alternative if I need a telephoto zoom only "just in case." This is how this lens fits into my kit. On a normal work day when I bring my camera on a "just in case" basis. There are so many occasions where I see interesting lights or scenes and I just kick myself for not having a camera with me. Well, the M system is my solution. I used to carry 5dmk3 with 70-300L with me everyday. This combo weighs about 2Kg!! M3 + 55-200 on the other hand weighs only 600g, lighter than any L lenses I have. So now I usually bring my M3 with the efm 11-22 and this efm 55-200. The combined weight is less than a 5dmk3. On a day when I know I will do a lot of portrait shooting, I bring 5dmk3 + 135L. This combo will give me dreamy bokeh. My logic is that if I need speed and awesome bohek I will use my full frame system with fast lens. If I wont be shooting wide open and dont need wide aperture, rather than using slower full frame lenses I might as well use slow lenses on a compact system. I will then also bring M3 + efm55-200 + efm 11-22 + 24-70 L f2.8ii . I am using a two camera approach to reduce frequency of changing lens. So far this is an approach that is very efficient for me. The M is small enough to fit in my coat pocket while I handhold my 5dmk3. I go into great length to share my approach because I believe there are pros and cons with the M system and also this efm 55-200. And we need to take advantage of the strengths and find ways to overcome the shortcomings of which there are many. 1. This lens is slow. Its nearly impossible to shoot anything that moves. Slow AF is the Achilles heel of the M system despite good image quality. I use the M system for sceneries and family photos, basically just situations that dont need fast AF. 2. Handling is awkward since theres no build-in viewfinder. 3. Small aperture. Maximum aperture when shooting at 200mm is F6.3. I usually stop down to F8 anyway, so its ok. Even if the maximum aperture were faster like f2.8 or f4, Im not sure if I could trust the AF to be accurate since theres no viewfinder. 4. The build quality is ok. Personally like the 11-22 better since the mount is metal. The mount is plastic for this lens. However, very often I walk around holding the m3 + 55-200 combo by the lens and theres no problem whatsoever. 5. It doesnt have the same level of crispness, microconstrast or whatever fancy term people use. Suffice to say its consumer grade. In summary, the greatest strength of this lens is its size and weight. Its incredibly useful if the intent is to have a backup, "just in case," sort of situations, or if you just dont feel like carrying a heavy system that day. Its size, weight, and cost are about a quarter of my 70-300L. Image quality is good enough. If you can have just one tele lens to bring with you, this lens is definitely not the one since therere so many deficiencies that come with this lens and the M system in general. However, I do believe the M line makes a wonderful secondary system, and this efm 55-200 could be very useful depending how you fit it in your kit.

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This lens brings me closer to my subjects It is incredible.

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The far zoom is great but forced to change for mid-wide

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Perfect lens,. as new, just no original packaging

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Nice

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I have been using this lens to pull in images I had been wanting to get. From remote farm houses in scenic valleys, to herds of elk. I am very pleased with this lens.

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I love the lens. Very sharp , light !

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Great long distance pictures!

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Plastic, but a decent feel. Works well, fairly sharp....though Ive seen faster focus.

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