Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Review

[onlineahmeds]

24*1.6=38.4~40mm not 45mm ;-)

[panadevulpe]

The only thing I don't like about the tamron is the distortion at 17mm , since I don't like to use editing software too much .

[panadevulpe]

I'm not so sure if I'll buy this one or the tamron vc version . Half the price and smaller size . This is a little too big for a lens that stays on 90% of the time

[BlogOfVancouver]

Nice review - it's right on. This is the best zoom lens out there for crop sensor SLRs.

[asjesus1]

Thanks for the video.

One question. How well does it focus while zoomed in max?

[Spectacular66]

How I would love this lens... The 18-55mm that came with my Rebel isn't cutting it for me anymore... =/

[Mozo901]

Hey man could u do some more reviews on your other equipment??? I really enjoyed your review and I think the photography community could really benefit from your reviews

[tevigdal]

Thanks for this! I was long set on the 24-70 2.8 L for my newly purchased 7D, but I'll be going for the 17-55 instead. I shoot mostly without flash so the 2.8 with IS will come in handy.

[steveygti1978]

Thanks for the video review. I was wondering if you could share some low light images. I like to take pictures in low light/no flash situations. I heard you mention in the video that you also like to take pics in low lighting as well... How does this lens perform in low lighting? Thanks again!

[Nathant888]

@steveygti1978 The first 6 pictures in this album were shot with the 17-55: Well shucks. I can't post hotlinks in a comment.. I'll message it to you.

I'm very happy with how it preforms. IQ doesn't seem to fade. I find my camera more of a hindrance (above 1000 ISO it gets too grainy for me) than the lens.

Hope that helps!

[nate42nd]

Thanks, there ARE NOT many reviews on this lens, and I am thinking of getting one. Thaks for the look, and the 6 month videos too. Have a good one.

[nharbin72]

I just recently traded my  24-105 L for the 17-55. My motivation was to get a wider FOV on my crop camera. I am very happy with the IQ. The build quality doesn't seam to be a solid. Have you found this to be a hindrance?

[Nathant888]

@nharbin72 The L series are definitely a notch above the 17-55. However, this lens has hit quite the few lamp poles while dangling from my shoulder... No problems. It's also been exposed to light rain, very cold temperatures, and has traveled half way around the world. No hindrance for me.

[nharbin72]

@nharbin72 Thanks for your reply. I have to say, now that I have had a chance to use it, I love this lens. The performance is amazing. The pictures I take with it and my 580ex truly look professional.

[siliconsurf]

I have this lens too...and it's great!

[Reypadd]

Pretty much have me sold after seeing your review. Only thing I keep hearing about this lens is that it is a "dust magnet". Any issues with that? If so, did it affect your images?

[Nathant888]

@Reypadd Sorry for the delay. There are some dust particles underneath the front element. I would not call it a magnet, and my images have not suffered in the least (that I can tell).

[Reypadd]

@Nathant888 Yeah, I've had this lens for more than 4 months now, and I love it. Knock-on-wood, I don't have any dusts inside the lens, since I keep it in a case and the camera bag.

[DonKong1000]

Good review, thanks!

[la6ner]

Hi Nathan,

Just wanna ask you a question since you've had the lens for over a year. You said you kept IS on all the time. Have you notice any degradation or problem with IS due to the heavy use? I'm looking to buy one and would appreciate your response.

Thank you.

[Cicada1337]

been racking my brain deciding whether i want this or the 24-70 for my 7D :/

i have a 70-200 2.8L IS already for tele..

[SolarSanction]

@Cicada1337

24-70 is weird on a cropped frame body. The 17-55 is our 24-70 on a cropped body BUT with IS.

[rubent100]

@Cicada1337 Thats me right there too, i have a 17-40 and not sure if the 17-55 is really worth the upgrade?

[socal1000]

never understand why vw decided to have a flower vase built into there bugs

but i do understand why i am going to buy this lens:) thanks

[homersimpson587]

nice review mate

[all4golf]

24-70 2.8L? I'm upgrading from my kit 18-55 but I absolutely can't decide between the 17-55 and the 24-70. Both are about the same price but since I may go full frame in the future, the 24-70 is obviously right. Then again I can always sell it when the times right.

[RyanTheTuber]

The 24-70 f/2.8L doesn't have IS. Check the ISO charts for both. I hear they are equally sharp!

[AwkwardLe]

Hey I have a Question for you: If you need your lens to be a walk around type of lens and can't afford the 17-55, would the 17-85 be the appropriate step from from the 18-55 kit lens? what other walk around zoom lenses do you recommend?

[Nathant888]

Good question.

1.) The 17-85 has improved build quality and newer IS system, but the optical differences are negligible.

2.) The 17-55 opens to f/2.8 and allows for faster shooting in low light situations; neither the 18-55 nor the 17-85 can directly compete in aperture. The Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 is arguable the best third party alternative @ 1/2 the price.

3.) If you want to stick with the EF-S line and want a step up from the kit. I would look at the 18-200mm for the added focal versatility.

[tobearockstar0706]

You know, if you want to shoot low light you should get some primes.

[Nathant888]

For sure. I own a EF 50 f/1.8 and hope to get a some time this year EF 28 f/1.8.

[uglykidjoebollox]

Really nice review, thanks.

I'm going to be saving up for this. In a way it's good that it's not an "L" lens otherwise it would be twice the price!

The main reason that I would like to have this lens is that the kit lens barrel rotates at the end, and I do a lot of landscape stuff which makes it a pain for a polarizer.

It's q premium to pay, but I prefer dramatic landcapes.

Thanks again.

[all4golf]

No kidding on the L prices. It seems that whenever they slap an L on the lens, it goes up a couple hundred dollars. I know some of it is for the better build quality but some is just for that warm fuzzy feeling of owning one.

[Frace91]

Nice review i hope i can buy this lens soon.

If you want an ultra wide angle lens my reccomendation is the tokina 11-16mm.

It's awesome, I sold it for the 70-200 but I'll buy it again in like two weeks

[Nathant888]

thanks very much for the tip!

[nerdishtech]

Its a shame that Canon dont make this lens a "L" lens, unlike the Nikon equivalent that is a Pro lens.

[carlover72]

Thanks for the review. I was also considering the 24-70 f/4L lens but I couldn't justify the 38mm minimum focal length on my 50D. Just purchased this lens from Adorama!

[GLXLR]

Great review but when you said the 24mm turns into a 45mm, I think you meant 38.4mm. Again, very informative!

[rubent100]

@GLXLR How do you do the conversion from cropped to full frame? I dont get it..

[robinho1979]

Anyone got a Grand they can spare me..so I can purchase this lens!!!

[skillbill83]

Great review for this lens. Actually the only one i could find. I was considering on a 24-70mm f2.8 but on a crop 1.6 the 17-55mm works better.

Nice one.

[oraichu]

Yo. I'm considering myself between this one, Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L USM and Canon EF 24-105 F4L IS USM.

The L lenses annoy me for being that high in lowest mm(would be ok with fullframe body), and the 24-70mm don't have IS. While the 24-105 got IS, it has bigger F.

I'm currently using a Sigma 18-50mm f2.8, which is more or less the cheap version of the one you have here. Got it on a Canon 350D, but upgraded to 40D now, so thought I'd owe it to myself to upgrade the lens to something better also.

[SnowDOGGy]

Awesome. I'm getting this lens together with the Canon 40D tomorrow. My current camera is the Canon 350D and the crappy kit lens that is pretty much worthless.

Cant freaking wait!

[Nathant888]

Congrats! I hope your enjoying it!

[bmwprius]

Great review.

I'm currently debating on this lens (17-55) and the canon 24-105L series lens to compliment my XSI camera. Right now i'm using the standard 18-55 which actually has amazing picture quality considering it's a kit lens. I will need it for mostly portrait, landscape, and a lot of indoor shots. perhaps you can give me some input on how much better in terms of picture quality such as sharpness and color reproduction compared to the kit lens before i go out and spend $1200 dollars.

[Nathant888]

To be honest, from what I gather, the picture quality is almost identical. It just comes down to if you need that f/2.8. If you do, the 17-55 preforms wonderfully wide open and makes indoor shooting a breeze.

It sounds like you will need f/2.8 for your work. The "L" glass wide open @ 100mm would give you shallow DOF; the 17-55 will just let in twice as much light which can make a huge difference indoors. PLUS the 17mm on the wide end will increase your flexibility in tight rooms. Good Luck!

[henryb33]

thanks for this review, i can see this is a great lens, but, im very tempted for the 24-70L, i cant make up my mind haha, ill be doing wedings, so i think te wider les will be better. cheers and thanks for the review again,..

is there a website where i can see your photos taken with this lense?

[Nathant888]

There is a website but I am in the process of tagging all my pictures.. I will send you a link soon that contains the 40D 17-55mm keyworded in a gallery. For some reason it will not allow me to post websites in replies

[jgolde02]

Thanks for the great video. I am planning to purchase this lens in the next week or two and everything I have seen thus far has been positive. Have you done much indoor low light long shutter speed with this camera? If so, at 55mm, with the IS how slow can you set the shutter and still expect reasonably sharp images?

Planning to use this lens as my main walk around and I do a lot of indoor shooting so hoping I can avoid the flash more often.

[Nathant888]

I have been able to get moderately sharp images at 1/10. Here is an example ISO 400 1/10 f/7.1 0ev RAW. Not exactly low light, but i think I might have time this afternoon to get some test shots after dark

[Nathant888]

I added the links to the video info

[jgolde02]

Thanks those look great for such fast shutter speed. Everything I see about this lens makes me more sure it is a smart purchase. Was real tempted to go for the 24-70L but this is clearly a better choice for a crop body.

[jgolde02]

I meant slow shutter speeds, obviously.

[Nathant888]

Your welcome. The only benefits I see for the "L" glass would be if you are looking to upgrade to a full frame body in the near future, or if you have a sealed professional body and want a weather sealed lens, or if you have a Canon 35mm that you continue to work with.