Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
by Canon
|
List Price: Our Price: $779.00 You Save: $621.00 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $694.95 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Just not impressed, even after 2 different lenses
Summary: 1 Stars
I was very excited about purchasing my first Canon "L" series lens for my 30D. I had been using my kit 18-55mm lens for some time, and figured it was time to step up to some professional glass. Unfortunately, my experience was not good at all, and I have returned the product for a refund.
When I first received the lens, I took it out for a test run. I took about 100+ shots of the skyline of Seattle. The weather was partially sunny, so some of my shots had better light than others. I used a tripod and shutter release, and tested the lens at all apertures, because I had read that there were 'good' and 'bad' versions of Canon's lenses, so I wanted to make sure I got a good version before my return period expired.
After reviewing the pictures once I got home, I was quite disappointed. Most the pictures were unacceptably soft, especially around the edges. The best aperture range was between f/8 and f/11. The lens took horrible pictures above f/15, and anything below f/8 was pretty poor as well. I am an amateur landscape photographer, so it is important to me to have the edges just as sharp as the center of the picture. None (and I mean NONE) of my pictures were an improvement over the 30D kit lens, and in many cases (especially at the f/6 & f/7 range) the kit camera outperformed the L lens.
I called Canon's 1-800 number in hopes that they would consider taking the lens in for calibration (I had read on several message boards that people had gone this route and were pleased with the results). However, much to my surprise, Canon was not helpful at all. I explained that this lens was producing no better pictures (and in some cases worse pictures) than my kit lens, so I asked 'why would I spend the money on an L lens if my pictures are not improved'. Their response was that the L lens maintains an F/4 aperture at all focal lengths, this is the advantage of an L series lens. I replied that this doesn't mean much when the best pictures are produced at f/8-f/11, and their reply was 'sorry to hear that you are not happy with this product'. I asked if I could have the lens calibrated, and she told me that this would be unnecessary for a new lens right out of the box.
So I then contacted the 3rd party vendor that Amazon shipped the camera from, Ace Photo and Digital. I explained my issue and they offered to replace the lens. I was happy to give this a shot in hopes that my replacement lens would produce better images. I received the new lens a few days ago, and again took it for a test run. Exact same results. So I am sadly returning the lens for a refund. I appreciate Ace Photo's assistance and thought they were very professional.
I really wanted to be pleased with this product. There are several reviews on Amazon.com stating how sharp this lens is, but I just didn't see it in either lens I tried. Maybe I got 2 bad copies, but what are the odds of that?
Customer Review: Another dissapointment from an "L" lens :-(
Summary: 1 Stars
I have purchased several Canon lenses off Amazon, and this is by far the worst yet. I own an Olympus C-7070 and it takes sharper pictures at f2.8 than this lens takes at f12. Canon has some major quality control issues that they need to resolve, because this is not the first time I have had issues with soft lenses from them. The first lens I bought for my Canon 5D was the 24-105mm. When I received it, I had the similar issues with shapness (or lack thereof), so I returned it to Amazon and got another copy. Again, same problem. It took me sending the lens directly to Canon for calibration to get the problem solved, but who wants that kind of hassle?? Come on Canon, get it together, and improve your quality control. I love my 5D, but it should not be this hard to find good lenses from your "L" lineup...Customer Review: Think I got the wrong lens
Summary: 1 Stars
Hello Amazon,
Now that I have taken some pictures and compared them to my 18-55 USM lens that came as "standard" with my Canon EOS Rebel XTI, I see NO advantage or difference. I'm comparing by taking a picture, changing lenses, taking the same picture with the new "Ultra Wide Angle" USM lens that cost almost as much as my whole camera/lens/lens package, and see NO DIFFERENCE. Is this the wrong lens? The instruction manual makes no reference to "Ultra Wide Angle" anywhere. Please advise. Thank you. William