Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS lens review

Full review at http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon1785EFS/ : A four minute video tour around the Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS zoom lens by Gordon Laing, Editor of Cameralabs.com. To see further results and sample images, please visit our full review by clicking the link at the start of this text.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Canon
• EF-S
• 17-85mm
• IS
• lens
• review
• 400D
• Rebel
• XTi
• cameralabs

[alessandra4826]

@cameralabs Hi!

As a high school aged girl, I'm obviously on a serious budget. I have the Canon EOS Rebel T3 and the kit lens (the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Type II Lens). I want a replacement lens that can be used in a variety of situations.

Things I want in my new lens:

-17-85mm approx. (zoom end is more important than wide-angle, no lower than 85mm please)

-very!!! good image sharpness even at telephoto end

-aperture equal to or (preferably) faster than f/3.5

Would you recommend this lens?

[cameralabs]

@alessandra4826 the 17-85 would seem to be a good fit for you, but the 18-135mm would be even better if you need a longer zoom reach. The 18-135mm is similar quality to the 18-55mm; if you want better quality, I'd go for the 15-85mm. If however being able to zoom closer is most important, why not complement (rather than replace) your 18-55mm with the 55-250mm? Check out my Canon lens guide at cameralabs . com!

[wolfheart1979]

Thank you for the review, I'm now off to buy one.

[cameralabs]

@wolfheart1979 You're welcome! If you'd like to support me, please shop vai one of the stores on the support us page at cameralabs . com!

[GOBbluthagain]

hey gordon, one of my friends is selling this lens to me for 200 USD... is that a good deal for a old-ish lens. or should i invest in a 3rd party lens for that price? i need a good zoom lens to go with my 50, 35, 28 prime lenses..

[cameralabs]

@GOBbluthagain I don't know how much they go for second hand - but it's still a good lens. Do check out the lenses section at cameralabs . com for recommendations...

[zachmonky]

HI Gordon,

Unlike the other users here, i will not annoy you with the same question, however, I will ask you a new one. How do you get your head so shiny?

[cameralabs]

@100089295 Unless people pay per view or make donations, advertising is the only way sites like mine make any money - this is my full time job and I need to pay the bills!

[Adriebm2]

im not sure about the 18-55mm or the 17-85mm.

is it true that the 17-85 have a flat cable problem?

[Nicshooter]

the lens is F4 to F5.6 I wonder if it's ok or not... because I need a lens to take photos and video in low light also. F4 ain't good in low light.

[Nicshooter]

IS= Image Stabilization

[thejan4129]

@supersabre69 Well, an L lens is a Professional-grade lens. Just look at the name of the lens and see if the "mm" is a range (ex: 17-85mm). If so, it is a zoom lens. IS is Image Stabilization. It is highly recommended to decrease, or eradicate, blur in images. An L lens is VERY expensive, with the cheapest coming in at 443 pounds (used XE). Either way, both and L lens and a non-L lens will produce great results. You can get a kit lens of you desire.

[TheMr700]

very helpful review, thank you:) I am more into videoing and was wondering if u could give some instructions on night settings for this lens because when i video in the dark it comes out with loads of gain, guide please

[3000KJH]

Nice review , true sort it canon fs its only a bit of plastic i just got a100mm usm macro & the hood was for sale for £25

[jeanfelixnolet]

This guy remember me Robin William in the movie Photo Obsession!