Canon EF-S 17-55mm IS lens review

[extantia]

I am considering the purchase of this lens for a Canon T2i. One thing that concerns is that I've read and seen some consumer reviews mentioning an internal dust problem. Have you heard of this? Has it ever been addressed?

[MMasud08]

@extantia i have this lens and a b&w filter. I haven't had any problem with dust because of the filter. It's such an expensive lens, the extra few dollars for a filter is well worth it!

[extantia]

@MMasud08 Thank you for the reply. So what is the least optically obtrusive filter if lens protection is the primary criteria? During my last foray into photography when Kodachrome 64 was the gold standard for 35 mm SLR's, the standard UV filter was recommended for lens protection.

[MMasud08]

@extantia This is the filter I have for my 17-55mm. It's pretty basic and does what I want which is prevent dust from entering the lens. B+W is a great brand. B+W 77mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M)

[extantia]

@MMasud08 Thank you again. To start, my plan is to buy the Canon T2I body only, the 17-55mm, and the B+W filter with the purpose of doing some filming for independent shorts and music accompaniment vids. Unless, you would recommend getting the camera kit with the 18-55mm for circumstances where I might not want to risk damage to the 17-55mm. BTW, what additional lens might you recommend? The 17-85mm looks promising.

[motion1100]

Is lens compatible to the 7D

[h2soccergod]

@motion1100 yes it is. 

[kkeliscy]

I recently bought this lens for my 600d and the only way to get a sharp focus is by manually selecting only the center AF point. On automatic all images are out of focus at all focal lengths and apertures. Is this normal?

[anniesagerrox]

wow

[matthewblessssss]

it works perfect on my 550d!!!from landscapes to portraits its superb!!!

[wildone106]

This lens is awesome I rarely switch it out. I tried the Tamron cheaper version and the quality of the image just wasn't as good imho

[derangedpranks]

Lets say I were to go out and buy a canon D7, is this worth getting for it?

Or is there a newer solution?

[sasktank]

Gordon -- youre videos are the best

[applegirl1234]

Can I use it on canon 600d????

[AdurianJ]

@applegirl1234

Yes why wouldn't you ?

I've used it on the 450D 500D 550D i don't see why Canon wouldn't suppport it's flagship APS-C lens on it's new entry APS-c camera?

[jasonuoft]

it will definitely boost the sale if canon put a red ring on this

[1650million]

3 people with a micropenis watched this video.

[panadevulpe]

Gordon , I just bought the wonderful Canon 8D mark II with the superb Canon 10-400mm f/1.2 IS USM L lens .

Was it a good choice ?

[StevenRHaz]

How come you never review Sigma Lenses?

[cameralabs]

@StevenRHaz They never send them in for testing!

[StevenRHaz]

@kalimistuk no their not

[antonioreyes1987]

Recently, I plan to buy a canon 60D. Do you recommend me to get the one with 18-135mm or 17-55mm? Thanks in advance!

[gibor4975]

@antonioreyes1987 17-55mm, definitely. 18-135mm's IQ is crap.

[rgiversen]

A very good review. Thanks for the excellent job! I hope to see more! Have you reviewed the new T2i and if that is comparable with the 60D and 7D? Also, does the extra ISO allow a 70-200mm f/4L be comparable with the 70-200 f/2.8L?

[ericshepherdsound]

Gordon,

Love your site.

I picked up a Canon 60D with a EF 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 IS USM lens and a EF-S 55-250mm 1:4-5.6 IS lens.

My wife wants to do portraits and I am looking to record live jazz club performances with 1080P under low light.

Do you think the Canon EF-S 17-55mm IS lens that you reviewed would be a better option than the Tokina 12-24mm or other Tokina or Sigma low light constant aperture lens?

[cameralabs]

@KarlToth 0:00 - expect to get everything for free in life.

[DemonAMVs]

@KarlToth That doesn't work.

[glenbruce]

DO NOT BUY THIS THIS LENS.

I bought this lens and i'm completely appalled at the amount of fringing it produces.

for a lens priced over $1000 it really is lamentable. If you're going to spend big get yourself an L series.

[Gerrit944]

@glenbruce

i also bought the 17-55 and the chromatic abberations were horrible..right side of the image was blurred/unsharp even stopped down. I did send it to service but they just said optic was tested and ok and didnt repair or exchanged it...what a shame. A waste of money. Get the Kit zoom or the 15-85.

[m420carbine4]

Gordon what lens should i get videomaking with the 7D? should I get the kit or should i just get the body and then get a lens. if so what lens would that be. the one you just reviewed

[germama81]

First shot I see in this video, and I was like "whoa, I've been there!" That's Queentsown, NZ. Its at the top of the gondola ride by the excellent buffet.  Great place, great town! Cheers!

[MetalBeetle]

Am using the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM on my 7D. Totally awesome lens. Like you said, sharp, fast and accurate focusing. I used it one my first cam, the 1000D and surprised even seasoned photogs with the image quality!

[TwistedTapeOfficial]

Little bit over exposed on the head there.

[viridiana31]

Hi! Do you think is a good idea to replace my 17-40mm F/4 lens with this one? I shoot a lot of weddings, and many times I really need the F/2.8

[guitar1233211233]

UP TO FOOOAHH TIMES :O lol f/2.8 FTW

[siliconsurf]

I hate geico

[shikinami12]

lalala

[SomAnimation]

1080 , 720 views , Thats truly HD.

[4Alpha7Kilo]

Is this compatible with canon eos 350D?

[jonnyfied]

HI GORDON IM 14 I NEED SOME ADVICE: (thanks in advance)

1) my favourite photos are landscape and portraits, I have this lense ( 17-55mm 2.8) do you think i also should also get the 50mm 1.8?

2) for wild life park shooting, what would you recommend for a telephoto lense? I need one so Im looking for adivce, I almost got the 17-200mm f/4 but maybe the focal length might not be enough. what do you recommend?

[jonnyfied]

HI GORDON IM 14 I NEED SOME ADVICE:

1) my favourite photos are landscape and wildlife, I have this lense ( 17-55mm 2.8) do you think i also should also get the 50mm 1.8?

2) for wild life park shooting, what would you recommend for a telephoto lense? I need one so Im looking for adivce, I almost got the 17-200mm f/4 but maybe the focal length might not be enough. what do you recommend?

[siliconsurf]

how does this compare to the 24-70mm?

[laurencrosbyy]

Your reviews are the best!

[rubent100]

So this is the best lens possible i hear. what other lenses are good besides these/

85mm f1.8 Canon

24-70 f2.8 Canon L Series

11-16 f2.8 Tokina

[cameralabs]

@Cr4zYH3aD You know you need to ask this on the forum!

[VeritasOfAvalon]

Thank you - very well explained and helpful.

[kayendee21]

hey, i haven't bought a DSLR camera yet, i'm 16 and just about to start to learn photography, i'm planning to buy a canon eos 550d kit, so do you think i should bought this right away with the kit? or should i wait and practice?

[jamesfromwimbledon]

As someone who has a lot of expereince with telescopes and other optics I am wondering what the equivalent magnification of the image would be on full zoom? I've been unable to find anyone able to answer this question so far but I can't understand why.. it's a simple prime number. Many binoculars are around 10x telescopes g from 15x - 40x or more. How does this fit with the numbers on a zoom lens? Anyone able to pick this?

[cameralabs]

James, the question is 15 times what exactly? If you're meaning 15 times the standard magnification of the human eyey, then that starting point is approximately 50mm equivalent. Since this lens when zoomed-in is equivalent to 88mm, then its maximum magnification is about 1.76 times. The actual total of the zoom range though is 55 divided by 17, which equals 3.2x.

[jamesfromwimbledon]

Yes x (times) the image seen on the optic nerve.. so field binoculars for example are generally 7-10x.. field telescopes generally range up to about 60x the size you see with the naked eye. I'm surprised you say it's maximum 3.2x - looks like more in the video : ( I guess this is why pro wildlife photographers have these camera .4 meter lenses. If it's only 3.2 then you still need to get reasonably close to the subject 9if it's for example a bird or small mammal)

[jamesfromwimbledon]

Great videos/website btw. I'm gonna watch as many as possible - probably take as much advice as possible, ie. which telephoto lens, etc. Who's based in Queenstown? I've taken shots of that exact view before although there was more snow when I was there! : )

[Shmenman]

Best combination:

500D + 17-55mm 2.8

know it can be 550D + 17-55mm 2.8

[DonKong1000]

This lens is mounted on my 7D 80% of the time. It's a great lens.

[anime1213]

what cam has good quality ?

i dnt want a big size cam tho...

i juss want to take good pichas of me nd my friends..?

[cameralabs]

See the best buys section at cameralabs . com

[anime1213]

thank youuu (:

[AgentJuly19903]

@cameralabs Does the 17-55mm lens attach to The Canon EOS T2i, the T3i and the T3?

[GetOverHere83]

@AgentJuly19903

Yes, all three of those bodies are crop-sensor Canon bodies and therefore support the EF-S lenses.

[familyandwork]

@anime1213 - As a professional photographer, and based on your comment, give the Kodak cameras a try. Try the Z981 EasyShare, it's a bargain, and will not take super nice photos and video. When traveling with my family, I never lug my heavy professional equipment around, and many of the photos actually compare with professional stuff.

[Bonzo42]

Does this lens fit onto the EOS 7D?

[Greenmonphoto]

yep

[detailsinthefabric]

@Bonzo42 Yep the 7D has an APS-C sensor.

[RyanTheTuber]

What is the name of the hood that Canon made for this lens? I tried googling it but I end up finding reviews for the lens itself.

[cameralabs]

Ryan, I have details of all the lens hoods in the lenses section at cameralabs - go to the Canon section, then look at EF-S lenses for the one you want.

[RyanTheTuber]

Oh, thanks! Anyways... I chose the 24-70mm than this... because of the fact that I already have a lens similar to this' focal range :DDD

[jiaqinh]

Love the borkeh this lens can produce. But the price is pretty steep.

[miguel88ms99]

Hi Gordon! will this lens be enough to explode 15 mp resolution of the canon 500d?

[cameralabs]

Yes, it's one of Canon's best EF-S lenses...

[ivanovish90]

so it doesnt work for the xsi?

[cameralabs]

The XSi can use any Canon lens including this one.

[richhobo94]

Wow this is almost the exact setup I'm getting except with the Canon 500D/T1i... pretty much the same tho. Can't wait~

[Gerrit944]

I own a 50D, and have tried 3 copies of this lens so far. All of them were horrible, a pain to the eye at 17mm. The corners are extremly unsharp/soft and the left and right edges are also somehow distorted (even at f/8). This lens suffers from massive astigmatism i think. The build quality is simply ludicrous for that price.

[whoppers1000]

Hi there,

I own a 50D and I am having trouble picking a lens for my camera. For the last six years, i've been shooting with an off brand lens 100-300mm lens and a kit lens that came with my film camera rebel 2000. I need to upgrade badly. I shoot weddings and senior portraits and anything in between. Can you help. I'm thinking about a Canon 70-200 F/4 IS lens or Tokina 50-135 F/2.8? any suggestions, I'd appreciate.

[RyanTheTuber]

Weddings eh? The Canon 70-200mm F/4.0L IS USM is not good for indoor shots and full-length shots. Although it is good for candid shots because of the big focal length. BUT, the aperture is quite narrow and will give you blurry pictures(in low light conditions). I would personally go with this lens PLUS, I'll include these bad boys when I do get this lens:

Hood

580EX II

Diffuser for the Speedlight

B+W UV filter

Circular Polarizer(just for the fun of it)

[emanuelmarcos]

Fantastic lens i own one , and all the weddings i did i used it, the only thing its missing its a red stripe and an L , i also own the 300 f2,8 is usm , so i know what im saying. ***** well it wasnt cheap 2 years ago but now u can find it under 1000Euros (in europe)

Worths every penny and kicks the 17-40 L f4 butt. Ohh get a wood and a polarizer 150 more yakk

[whoppers1000]

Would you recommend this lens for weddings?

[emanuelmarcos]

sorry for the time u waited. Yes i highly recommend this lens and i bet that with the canon 50 d its the best u can get not being a full frame . But a super lens (the best) its the 28-105 l (F4) that is the super lens for weddings ...the 28-300 l its

[emanuelmarcos]

also a super lens but with weddings taking hour of work its not the lens u wanna be shooting with 6 or 7 hours in a row (heavy material) so thatswhy they are 2nd best, not to mention the excessive price tag, but not having a full frame u will lose alot of these last 2 lenses since the crop factor i think 1.6 of the aps-c sensor will turn them into not usable lenses in wide range( for instance the 17-40 atached to aps-c 1.6 crop factor sensor its a very good lens.hope i helped.

[Blid182]

What's the equivalent focal range when using this lens on a cropped frame body?

[Blid182]

no, focal range.. it's 27-88mm. and APS-C is 1:1.6

[alislamudeenee]

well said, hats off to you mate.

its an awesome walk around lens.

[zaohad1]

Have a look at old lenses on ebay for top quality optics .With an adaptor they all work but you have to manually set aperture and manually focus., if you can put up with that.You need an adaptor without glass so old canon FD is out.Look up Carl zeiss lenses if you want top optic quality.

[Eagle971]

That lens is one sexy little beast!

[bangtwister]

Hey, Thanks for taking the time doing the reveiws. Excellent Job!

[cameralabs]

You're welcome! Don't forget to check out the full reviews which go with the videos at cameralabs . com!

[modri]

I have this lens and i must say it's the best lens i ever had so far. It really helped me on not so good lightning conditions. The only thing that bothers me with this lens is that it's not an L series lens!

[FDPictures]

I have used the Lens on my 400D and it is great! Best EF-S Lens in my opinion. But I miss the water-protection like the 24-70 L has. The 24-70 L is now mounted on my 5D and it is even a little bit better than the 17-55 IS USM

[WD9HOTHAM]

Thanks Gordon and look forward to included the 17-55mm with my new 50D

[WD9HOTHAM]

Very well done and thank you. Just one thought and I am nitpicking. The the echo chamber effect made me want to hang on to every word. Is there some way you could use a more friendly sound enviroment, Thanks

[cameralabs]

I know what you mean! I have switched to a different room for my more recent videos, but hope to further improve my audio in the future...

[syparish]

I think the perfect lens would be as follows, 10-300mm F 1.2 IS USM L-Series Lens (WITH A LENS HOOD, CANON!)lol

[sumitino]

that lens would be a foot and a half long and a foot wide at front and weight about 10 lbs abd be about 15 thousand dollars....

[NiC3SH0T]

@syparish even if it was 4000 dollars it would be the most sold lens ever

[LooperNor]

@syparish Except physics pretty much tells us that's impossible or it would be massive and have so much distortion that it'd look like you were going into warp speed.

[chaosrealm93]

@syparish and weighs no more than 500g xD

[CHCHGSR]

Thanks for the excellent review!! - Great to see pictures of Queenstown :)

[61862006]

I'm a bit ignorant of lenses, does this have manual focus on the lense barrel?

[colmv123]

Im very sure that this lens uses 'L' series flurite glass. This lens would be the answer to ALL my problems. Image quality is abolutley identical to the 16-35L f/2.8 but those stingy bastards at Canon wouldn't allow this lens to go on full frame. The ideal lens ever would be the 16-35L with IS - imagine how sharp that would be ooooooooooh - that would be so expensive. Anyone who says that IS isnt needed at f/2.8 is an idiot because IS in low light 'always' helps.

[fiff92]

Again a very nice review Gordon!! Hopefully i can by this lense and the Tamron 70-200/2.8 =D

[nickolasyt]

good. very good review.

[alan3257]

I used this lens when I had a 40D. It's a great lens and I'd highly recommend it.

[bettazrkool]

will it work with a 40d, or 30d. or will it only work with the xxxD series?

[cameralabs]

Yes it will work fine with any Canon body which has an APS-C sensor and an EF-S compatible lens mount, like the 30D and 40D. It won't work with the full-frame bodies like the 5D / 1Ds Mark III.

[ftpaddict]

I don't think it works on a 1D either.

[cameralabs]

That's correct, it won't work on any body which has a sensor larger than an APS-C model. The 1D line have a slightly larger APS-H sensor.

[mintaleco]

Thankyou for taking the time to put up a clear and well delivered review.

[cameralabs]

Thanks! Don't forget the full review at the Cameralabs website and also our other lens reviews under the lens section there...

[XxLadyundomielxX]

Could you do one review on the EF-S 55-250mm please? I'm thinking to get this one plus the 55-250mm for my 400D. Thanks.

[cameralabs]

I plan to review this lens in the future, but it may be a while yet...

[2Old4Toys]

Should the title not have "IS" in it?

[cameralabs]

I left it out here to try and keep the title simpler, but notice I've included it on other reviews of IS lenses, so I'll see if I can change it...

[shrynakesavan]

guys.... isn't EOS 400 D and Rebel XTI the same model.........coz untill now .. thass what i have Been thinking...

[goliath405]

Yes it is.

[MarkTan89]

I forgot to add. I am more into automobile and night photography.

[cameralabs]

Hi Mark, there's lots to discuss here, so could you post your question on the Cameralabs forum? Thanks!

[MarkTan89]

I need help Gordon ! I am currently thinking whether I should get the 24-105 f/4L or the 17-55 f/2.8. I just recently bought a EOS 400D thanks to your reviews on it and I am looking to buy a proper lens for it. I wil buy the EF-S 10-22mm for a wide-angle coverage only after I get my general purpose lens. Your advice is appreciated.

[jakluk4]

i LOVE LOVE LOVE this lens. it lives on my camera 90% of the time! thanks Gordon, you helped me choose my camera when i first got into the world of dslr, your reviews are priceless! :D

[cameralabs]

Cheers jakluk4! It sure is a nice lens and great have both the f2.8 aperture and IS. Don't forget to check out the full reviews at the Cameralabs website and also tell us what you think of the lens on our forum!

[apec2615]

Very informative. Thanks for the reviews.

[andersdenkend]

Wow. I am a bit surprised to actually find really usefull reviews of DSLR lenses on youtube. Thank you very much!

[cameralabs]

Glad to be of service! Remember there's a full review to go with every one of our videos including sample images and comparisons, so click the link to the right of the video window to visit cameralabs . com and see the full story!

[alestoquia]

Useful review. Thanks!

[highestcrown]

Hi Gordon, useful review as usual!

[timothyj]

question! what camera are you using to record your videos? do you have a film crew because it focuses nicely when you hold the camera up against the screen :)

[cameralabs]

Aha, that would be revealing the tricks of the trade! Oh, ok then: it's just a normal camcorder in AF mode...

[adamfoerster]

Nice video. Are you going to review the Canon PowerShot S5IS?

[cameralabs]

Hi Adam, yep, we plan on testing the S5 IS in the future... watch this space!