Canon 17-55mm F/2.8 IS USM - Update after 7 months

[00Q]

THIS IS NOT TRUE. THIS IS A 17-55 EF-S LENS. SO FOR PORTRAIT THE 55 STAYS AS 55 AND NOT 80. IT IS TOO SHORT FOR PORTRAIT

[nate42nd]

@00Q NOT TRUE. It's an excellent portrait lens.....and yes.....it IS like an 80mm lens on a 5DMKii. There is a crop factor with crop sensor bodies. I use this lens for portraits and love it.

[00Q]

@nate42ndWhat are you talking about? You must have got confused...

This is an EF-S lens. Which means it is 17-55mm field of view on all APS-C sensors. This includes the rebels, 60D, and your 7D. 55mm is a bit short for portaits. You ideally need to be between 70-100mm for flattening. Have a look at your 55mm portraits, the face is too round, the ears can disappear due to the short 55mm.

[00Q]

@nate42nd This lens does not fit a full frame. Even if it did, it will become more like a 10-34mm on a full frame. You divide by 1.6 crop factor. Similiarly, if you have a full frame lens such as the 24-70 or the 24-105, which is the one you have, put it on your 7D, it becomes a 38-168mm field of view. you multiply by 1.6.

The 24-70 f/2.8 L or the 16-35mm f/2.8 MkII L are much better lenses. The build quality is much better and the colours and sharpness are better.

[Maxsdiscos]

it is too expensive for kits

[BramowitchIII]

"It loosed up after i used it for 7 months and it feels very very good." Are you and me talking about the same thing...

[jc636r]

Dang the cost of this lens !!! But i must have it.

[CamaraMountClamp]

great Video

[tttlf]

25mm to 83mm?(35mm)

I don't think so....

More like 27mm to 88mm

It's *1.6 for Canon

[diegocerezom]

@tttlf well yes but the idea is the same, he did say "about" that range

cheers mate

[AJBuenviaje]

hey nate great video!!

this lens is amazing do you think it will perform good for nightclub/party photography? AF is super fast and combining it with the 7D will probably beat up ass! and one last thing, would a 24-70mm L lens hood fit to this lens?

thanks!

[cfhasib]

Not a very good review, you kept on mentioning the obvious, we need result analaysis, i.e. how the pictures look in different situations.

[Paulfga]

My first dslr camera will be a Canon 60D and I'm going to get this lens as my 1st, I'm convinced by all the reviews I've seen that this is a great lens and worth the investment. I'll be mainly shooting Video and will also enjoy the great stills this lens is capable of. Thanks for the update @nate42nd

[opemferre]

can you compare the canon with the sigma 17-50mm 2.8 or the tamron 17-50?

[nate42nd]

@opemferre I have used the Tamron but not the Sigma. Tamron and Sigma are okay IF you don't have the money for a Canon but they are just not as well made inside and out. (in my opinion) The 17-55 can't be beat. That said.....get a cheaper lens if that is the best you can afford......just read reviews. If you search for the name of the lens and "review" you will see the sites that are popular. Good luck.

[opemferre]

@nate42nd ok thank you

i searched it already but i found youtubers who said thad the sigma was the best in terms of sharpness.

[Nrojc]

it´s 27,2-88mm.. and it´s a walk-around lens (NOT wide angle or macro, like you mentioned), opticaly better than 24-70.. have a 7D+17-55 combo myself.. :)

[kevvz95]

Very nice video!

But I´v a question : Does some parts inside seem to turn around when you shake it ab bit?

Please send me an answer!!!

[Nolamusicgroup]

@nate42nd Hey I was wondering will this lens be a good lens for music video & indy film making?

[nate42nd]

@Nolamusicgroup It would be great. It's hard to zoom any lens while filming but what a great video lens....yes.

[Nolamusicgroup]

@nate42nd Thanks for the info & great video!

[Nolamusicgroup]

@nate42nd Hey I wasn wondering will this lens be a good lens for music video & indy film making?

[nate42nd]

@goruchagol I read about these issues before buying it too. I have had zero issues with it. It is my best lens (next to my 24-105 L) adn I cannot say enough about it. I used a UV filter for the first 6 months because I was concerned about the dust issue but since then I have not used a filter and it and been fine. The AF works great and the IS works great. It's a great lens and I would recommend it after using it for about a year.

[johntvg]

Useless review. You can read all this information in any description or specification area of this lens. Some sample photos would be nice dude.

[ronaldrt]

Hi, how would you compare this to a Canon 17-40mm L?:-)

Ron

[nate42nd]

@ronaldrt This one has IS and has a 2.8 aperture. The 17-40 has slightly better build and NO IS and a 4.0 aperture. It depends on what you plan to do but I decided on this one over the 17-40 myself. Hope that helps.

[ronaldrt]

@nate42nd Hi, I would mainly be using this lens for landscapes. I've read this lens is slightly superior to the 17- 40mm L?

[nate42nd]

@ronaldrt I don't know about better....but different. It has a longer reach. It''s a better low light and action lens with the larger aperture but the 17-40 has it's benefits as well. Better build for one. I would tell you the same thing I tell everyone. I like this lens a lot. If you don't plan to go full frame then get one. It's an EF-S lens so it won't fit on 5Ds. That's it. It's great. Not better than the 17-40L though. All the best.

[robertlam18]

Hi Nate. This is my first lens I bought. I own a canon 60d. I like to ask what lens would be sharper than this. It is because my friends nikor 50mm 1.4g seems so much sharper.

[nate42nd]

@robertlam18 I am surprised you can see the difference but this lens isn't as sharp as my Canon 24-105F/4L. Any L lens will be sharper and the Canon 50mm 1.4 would be as nice as the Nikor most likely.

[dubox37]

@robertlam18 Also, the 50mm 1.4 is a prime lens which are typically gonna be sharper than zooms

[AdurianJ]

@dubox37

It's alot sharper then the 17-55, i have both.

[DeadRobotTV]

@robertlam18 Any prime lens is faster than a zoom lens (prime being fixed focal length)

[chevyguyarmen]

Like your vid's man. Keep it up! I want that 17-55 but man they are high even used.

[forgethefancyname]

the only downside of this lens is, it is not weather sealed. after couple of years using it. you will see. i got some dust problem with it and have to sell it cheap and replace it with canon 24-70mm. but overall performance this lens is magnificent and best for crop sensor cameras.

[nate42nd]

@forgethefancyname This is true, however even some L lenses are not weather sealed (50mm 1.2 and others) We have to take good care of them. This lens does seem to let dust in under certain harsh conditions. I have not seen a problem yet and shoot in the desert, mountains, and weather. It's over priced a bit too. This lens should be about 300 dollars cheaper. Otherwise I think it's one of the best for crop sensor cameras too.

[blackrmc]

what lens will you suggest for canon 7d? 24-70 or 17-55? or should i wait for the replacement of 24-70? Im going to use it for strobe work thanks!

[nate42nd]

@blackrmc For portrait strobe work? 24-70 but still keep the 17-55 in mind if you need a wider lens. Good luck

[jwheeler91]

Ahhhh! I've been offered 2nd Chance ebay offer on this. (£428 all inc.) 8 months old. I want it soo bad. It even includes the hood! My Dad has convinced me that I am spending too much recently. Can I really pass up this price? I'm not a professional at all.

[nate42nd]

@jwheeler91 You are getting a good deal especially with what's going on in Japan right now. Lenses will probably go up. I would get it if you can for that price. I was just using the lens like every other day so I am biased. What a great everyday lens this is. Amazing images at any aperture. I don't know what I would do without it and I'm not professional either. Just love shooting. You will not regret getting it. All the best.

[jwheeler91]

@nate42nd I think it was a bogus account, item gone, user removed??? Glad I didn't get it :P Although I do use paypal so would have been safe...

[jwheeler91]

@nate42nd Might also have been his second account to bump up bids? Well done Ebay! either way.

[jusrelaxing]

what about the dust issues and IS dying down on this lens, did u have any issues of that sort!

[nate42nd]

@jusrelaxing IS has been great and the dust issue has not been a problem. I use a UV filter about 1/2 of the time. No problems.

[ganzonomy]

hey nate,

beautiful lens. In spite of getting the 24-105 F4 L first, your review and love of the 17-55 keeps me searching for one for myself. Problem is they're hard to find a good one that's not $1100 and built like the 18-55.

Would also love to see a shootout between your 2 EF-S lenses (17-55 v. 18-55)

Jason

[nate42nd]

@ganzonomy Hey Jason. They are not built like the 18-55 at all. Maybe more like the 15-85 but with a constant 2.8 aperture. Until Canon releases something better I think it's the best all around lens you can get for an APS-C camera. As you can tell I really like them. haha If you do find one used.....get it!

[AgentHydra]

i wish i knew more about photography :(

[nate42nd]

@AgentHydra Keep learning! Watch videos, read, and get a camera and practice. Get a DSLR though. Having a DSLR will keep you from getting frustrated while learning. Get an entry level DSLR and learn! Nothing better than photography for a calming, fun hobby.

[mindwaveESEA]

Eos 5D MARK I is only around $1000, and older Mark II or Mark I are cheaper than the 7D. so 17-55 will only fit on APS-C sensors.

[nate42nd]

@mindwaveESEA True. So just camera bodies that fit EF-S lenses. Good point. I meant new but didn't say that.

[asjesus1]

Hey Nate, i'm glad you made this video man. I've been browsing through reviews after reviews about this lens and i see good reports so far.

also, You're one of my contacts at flickr; i go by the name of "varonaso", so thanks for the comment you made on one of my photos; it was very encouraging ;)

[nate42nd]

@asjesus1 It's a very good lens. One of the best. Think about joining my Flickr group if you would like. It's nice to share some work every once in a while. Have a good one.

[CrazyLini]

Can you compare the Canon 17-55mm to the standard canon kit lens (18-55mm) ??

[nate42nd]

@CrazyLini I show both lenses and talk about them a little in one of the other videos I did on this lens. There is no comparision. This lens is many times better in many ways.

[carperpaul]

Great review nate and because of your time and useage with that lens you are able to give the best type of review for people considering purchasing this lens!

One other thing set the zoom at 55mm one shot and focus and then change to AI SERVO and see the difference in the focusing speed if its anything like the 24-105mm 70-200mm you will see a massive focus speed increase,i added this comment for people who are unaware of the difference in focusing modes...

[Mozo901]

@WestCoastMods just shoot at a high aperture, generaly 8 or above and everything will be pretty much in focus

[WestCoastMods]

Nice video Nate.......just curious how do you zoom in while shooting moves and keep it in focus?

[mindwaveESEA]

@WestCoastMods some lenes are parfocal, meaning it doesn't change the focus while you zoom. Canon doesn't have an official list but most L lenses are parfocal. for example my 17-40 and my 70-200 F4 are both parfocal.

[WestCoastMods]

@mindwaveESEA I have tried it with my 70-200 f4 and it kinda works, but it is a little soft. Even when I focus while zoomed all the way in and then zoom out. Just curious how does a 17yr old own "L" lenses...no offense intended, just jealous cause those are very expensive pieces of glass and I......who has a very good job found it tough when I bought my "L" lenses....lol

[mindwaveESEA]

@WestCoastMods My parents pays for half, I only have 3 lenses, those 2 and the 50 1.4. I don't spend my money on stuff I don't need, when I buy them I make sure I use them. and the L lenses I have are the cheapest out of the line up.

[WestCoastMods]

@mindwaveESEA I see...love those parents...lol Yeah me you have pretty much the same lenses...I also have the 50mm 1.4 and the 100mm 2.8 Macro along with the 18-55mm 2.8 and the 70-200mm f4 coupled with the 1.4X extender. I am new to DSLR's and thought I would start with the 60D and may upgrade to the 5D mkIII when it comes out. Do you have a flickr acct.?

[nate42nd]

@WestCoastMods Yea, there is the parfocal thing. To be honest, I don't know which ones are. Someone told me that most are not. I try to avoid zooming while shooting video but if not just zoom then quickly focus with one finger. Most times there is not much difference. It's better to cut the video....zoom....then start the video again with a nice effect between.

[WestCoastMods]

@nate42nd Thanks Nate...Yeah I have heard that "L" lenses are and have tried it on my "L" lenses myself. It works kinda, but still a little soft...so like you said I would prefer to take separate shots and then edit them in post.

[LaczupakabraPL]

Two days ago I dropped the same lens from the fourth floor ... it was a bad day. Great update dude.

[nate42nd]

@LaczupakabraPL Holy crap dude! Are you serious? It fell from the 4th floor? Sorry to hear that. wow Thanks for the good words.

[LaczupakabraPL]

@nate42nd Yeap unfortunately, this is true, and the lens is not suitable for use ... I'm testing the Tamron and I must say I am pleasantly surprised.

Hey I put a link to You on my channel. I hope it's OK for You;)