Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
£645.00
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With image stabilisation (IS), a solid f/2.8 throughout the zoom range and USM focusing, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is about as close to a pro lens as many Canon users will be able to afford.
Photo answers review
Photo answers rating
The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens is a fast lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, so you can use it to obtain a shallow depth-of-field or help with reasonable exposures in lowlight situations.
It comes with Canon’s IS (Image Stabiliser) technology, which allows you to drop your shutter speeds slightly when needed and compensates for camera shake as well. It also uses ultrasonic technology, making the AF much faster and quieter than on standard, non-USM (Ultra Sonic Motor) lenses.
Another really useful feature is the close focus distance of 35cm. This allows you to get up close to your subject, allowing you to make creative use of the small amount of barrel distortion that the lens produces.
The autofocus performance is fast, accurate and quiet, while the image stabilisation is very consistent with shutter speeds around 3 stops slower than you could usually hold. The f/2.8 setting is never a lens’ best quality setting, but on this model it produces levels of sharpness below that which we’d expect, but throughout the focal range from f/5.6 up to around f/16 the results are sharp enough to give you crisp images that will please most users.
Despite the f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout and the inclusion of IS technology, the price of the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is actually surprisingly low. Don’t forget to add in the cost of the optional EW 83J lens hood (£45) though.
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Rarely leaves my camera body - the best lens for a Canon 1.6x camera by far, and I'ev tried nearly everything from Tamrons and Sigmas to Canon Ls. Reach and quality-wise it's pretty much the equivalent of the 28-70L on a 35mm body, but with image stabilisation and a lot lighter. Build quality is not fantastic though - it rattles a bit and the front element has attracted dust, but image performance on my 40D continues to be nothing short of stunning for landscapes, portraits and action shots of my dog going funny things. I have also owned a 5D and 24-105L combo, but I would choose the 40D/17-55mm over it any day and in 95% in situations.
(Written by: asekyd)
20 February 2009 14:19
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I rarely have this lens off my 30D. I find the results very good and it can auto focus in low light when other my friends lenses wouldn't. I find it great for portraiture at the 55mm end but you can still get nice effects with the slightly wide focal length.
(Written by: amature)
26 June 2008 10:22
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It is a superb lens, expensive and heavy, but the ƒ2.8 across and image quality validates it. It also offers the only way to get a quality 27mm on a Canon APS-c camera. LOVE it
(Written by: frameman)
10 January 2008 21:21
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Very expensive but well worth the money .I have used this now for 9 months and I mean used it around 100 gigabyte of photo´in raw ..a bit heavy is my only concern but for quality absolutely outstandng ..A must have lens ...save your coffee money it will pay off in the end ...Ken
(Written by: costafoto)
10 January 2008 18:36