Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras
Customer Review: Quality Glass
Summary: 5 Stars
My first reason for looking for a lens in this focal range was to shoot my daughter's cheerleading in the school gym. On the Canon 1.6x FOVCF (Field of View Crop Factor) cameras which use the EF-S series lenses, the 17-55mm focal length range equates to a 27.2-88mm lens mounted on a full-frame DSLR or film 35mm camera. This turns out to be a great range for the tight shooting I do frequently. The optics of the lens are outstanding. It blows away the EF-S 18-55mm kit lens - as it should given the price difference. The auto focus is quick and quiet. The vignetting is very minimal, really only in the corners and the lens is sharp through the whole focal length, even in the corners. It is flare-prone in bright light and sunlight; see my comment regarding the EW-83J lens hood below.
I have seen some reviews mention dust as an issue with this lens, but I have not experienced any problems in that regard so far. I do, however, keep the lens in a LowePro 1 case when I am not using it, just the lens not with the lens hood. If you want to store it with the hood you need the LowePro 1W case (I do not have any ties to LowePro, I just know from experience that this lens will fit those cases, there are other lens cases out there). That leads to my one complaint I, like many, am disappointed that for @$1000 you do not get the EW-83J lens hood. You really do want to purchase one keep the stray light out that plagues DSLRs more than film SLRs. It does help with the flare, and should be included.
Customer Review: This is the walk-around lens you want for your APS-C Canon (XSi, TLi, 50D, 7D)
Summary: 5 Stars
I won't add much to what others have said on this site. This lens is worth it for the 2.8 aperture and IS. I also have the 10-22mm, a 28mm f1.8 prime and a 100-400 L zoom for wild life. I've had an XT currently own XSi and don't see that any major camera companies will get rid of the APS-C format, why would they? sensors are getting better and better. The pros will always use Nikon D700s, D3s and Canon EOS 1D and 5D with L lenses. the rest of us will be perfectly happy with Rebels, 50D and 7D cameras. They'll figure it out. Low light performance? get a 7D and this lens, the 28mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8. Cost is no object? Get a Full Frame and go for it. You have to ask yourself what you want to do with DSLR, what type of pictures you are going to take, and how much you are going to spend. If you're on a budget, XSi or Tli and the kit lens. have a little more, like a higher quality? 7D and this lens plus some primes and L lenses. cost is no object? just get a Hasselblad H3DII-50. Only $27,000! What a deal! Just remember, Photoshop can fix a lot of mistakes and deficiencies. Also, Canon DPP, which comes with every Canon SLR will fix all Canon lenses' Chromatic aberrtion and distortion. APS-C cameras are going to be with us for a long time. And this lens is very good. Just get it. Check out my image of Muir Woods in the images section of Amazon. It's kind of small but the full image shows a small deer in the middle. This is an amazing lens. Nothing beats having a fast aperture.Customer Review: Canon 18-55 IS vs 17-55 IS
Summary: 5 Stars
I really like this lens and it was a great upgrade with no regrets!
Instead of reposting a bunch of technical stuff I'll just share my experiences. I have the Canon XSI with the 18-55 IS kit lens so I'm not a pro and this was a big decision for me to invest in a lens that outright replaces my current one without any real difference in range. What drove me to this lens was the fact that I take a lot of indoor pictures of my kids running around, my family, and indoor sports like karate; and most of the time I had to shoot without a flash which means a lot of high ISO photos. I got to the point where shooting moving people indoors with the 18-55 and no flash was making me feel limited and a little frustrated.
After 14 months with my 18-55 - I picked up the 17-55 and felt free! Faster focus and the sharper and brighter images were immediate. I could even see the extra 1mm at the wide end (though it's not a determining factor).
It's been a week now and nevermind the better optics that everyone raves about, forget the faster focus or the nicer bokeh - having more light in the lens means new abilities. Compared to the 18-55, same shot, I can shoot in lower ISOs, I have less need for a flash; I can take advantage of faster shutter speeds, and the fixed 2.8 means I can use my zoom without any difference to my light or speed.
It's been over a month now and I gave the 18-55 away to a family member. The 17-55 is awesome.
Customer Review: The ultimate walk around lens
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the lens that should be on every crop frame Canon. The focal range of this lens, as in the stock kit lens, is wide enough to capture just about any scene, with just enough reach to grab more distant subjects. This lens is incredibly sharp, maybe not quite as sharp as the 50mm prime, but is amazing for a zoom lens, and the f/2.8 aperture produces amazing background blur for portrait and macro photography.
I recently took this lens on a backpacking trip through Yosemite, along with a Sigma 10-20mm ultrawide and a Tamron 18-270 superzoom. Despite the Tamron covering nearly the exact same focal range as the Canon, plus a whole lot more, I still found myself using the Canon lens 95% of the time. The quality of the pictures it produces are simply unsurpassed, and the speed of the lens makes it great for having to snap a quick picture while walking on the trail. The only issue is the lens seems to grind a little bit when moving the zoom and focus rings. It just doesn't have the most fluid of feels. I'm not sure if this is just the way is, or if it picked up some dust inside it while on the trail. Since this lens was outside its case on my camera almost all the time, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the dust from the trail wound up in the lens.
This is still the one lens that manages to make it into my lens bag no matter where I'm headed, and for that reason, I could not think of a better way to spend my $1,000.
Customer Review: Excellent lens - L quality optics
Summary: 5 Stars
I own both the 17-40 L and this 17-55 IS-- this is the one that lives on my camera. The difference between f2.8 and f4 is more than you think.... originally I thought it would be good to compare them - the fact is that comparing photos taken this way really isn't very useful in a real-life situation. Actually getting those photos taken under all circumstances is what matters. I get my photos with the 17-55 IS. It is well worth the price and an outstanding lens. I also don't think the IS factor gets enough mention--IS is worth it's weight in usable photos!! The EF-S factor doesn't bother me. There will always be a market for a good lens if you want to resell; most people are going to stick with cameras like the Rebel XTi, 30D, etc and I think Canon will keep this line.
This lens has gone on vacations, taken active pet photos in dim light with great success, taken outdoor photos in all lighting;it is just a great walk-around lens. I agree that there are a few spots where the fact that it isn't an L shows in the construction - not that it isn't well built but perhaps not quite as smooth and luxurious...if you own the L lens you know what I am saying. However, photo quality is most important and this lens does provide quality. I own several Canon L lens so I feel competent to comment on this useful all-around lens.
Superior lens overall. I would give it a 4 1/2 but given a choice between 4 & 5, it deserves a 5.