Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens

Well-built, wide-aperture, APS-C zoom with three-stop image stabilisation

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  Peak resolution

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  Some colour fringing

The premium standard zoom for APS -C sensor cameras usually covers the range from around 17mm to around 50mm and has a maximum aperture of f/2.8. In 35mm terms this coverage is equivalent to something like that which a 27-80/2.8 zoom would have on a full frame camera.

Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM is a superb lens, with fantastic image quality and overall characteristics. Build quality can be improved and the lens does not come with a lens hood or a soft case, which comes as a disappointment considering its high retail price.

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens, with a fast, fixed f/2.8 aperture, very high image quality , 3-stop Image Stabilization and a very popular focal length range, is one of the best general purpose lenses available .

This digital-only, 27-88mm equivalent ($1,000, street) is a pro-caliber upgrade of Canon's popular 17-85mm amateur Image Stabilizer lens ($515, street). It has the hallmarks of Canon's professional, full-frame L-series (solid construction, aspheric elements, UD glass).

CanonEF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Strengths: You get what you pay for with respect to image quality with this lens. The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS had 50% MTF and resolution scores closest to L-lenses or primes across the focal lengths tested.

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS is not a perfect lens but it lives quite well up to the very high expectations of the user base. The resolution figures are among the very best for an APS-C standard zoom lens.

We can ask the question: who is this meant for? It's definitely not for an amateur photographer who is going to be discouraged by the size and the high price. It's also not for an advanced photographer who is going to be discouraged by the lens's flaws and will buy something less expensive,...

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  great sharpness in the center of the frame for the whole range of stops and focal lengths,, good picture quality at the frame edges,, well controlled distortion,, minimal astigmatism,, well controlled coma,, great autofocus,, good quality manufacture,, solid performing stabilization, Cons: a bit too...

Semi Pro Photographer: I own quite a few Canon L and prime lenses.All give me great results. If this lens fits your needs. Don't hesitate to buy. I shoot a lot in close quarters with low light. I use this lens and a 50mm 1.8. All I need.If you need a longer focal length buy a different lens.

Uses: Street, landscape, indoor lowlight, candids, children, portraits, group shots. If you want a fast zoom lens and don't need anything longer or wider, and you don't want to upgrade to FF, this is the last lens you'll ever need to buy. This zoom range covers basically 90%+ of what I take.

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  Sharp, really sharp. Great colours & contrast, almost no CA, light(er) weight, good bokeh, versatile.

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  Cheaper build, Crop only.

The EF-S 17~55mm f/2.8 lens has proved to be everything I had hoped for when I chose it to supplant the EF-S 18~135 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens on my first Canon APS-C Camera. The large f2.8 aperture allows very good subject isolation and combines with an older version of Canon's image stabilization...

This lens was a replacement for my kit lens. I'm more than happy with the lower apeture, and achieving a great balance for both indooor and out.

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  The lens is light, quiet, and is sharp. Very good lens for the price

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  Auto focus is a bit slow

The optical quality of this lens is excellent. It allows you zoom from 17-55mm at a constant f2.8. Other zoom lenses will change the aperture but it can hold this constant as you zoom so it does not change your timing. The wide aperture makes it great for shooting parties indoors.

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  Consistent Output, Fast / accurate auto-focus, Nice Bokeh

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  Heavy

ANY KIND OF EVENT I WOULD USE IT, IT'S EXSPENSIVE BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. HEAVY COMPARED TO WHAT I REPLACED (18-55) BUT THATS NOT AN ISSUE. HAVE TO GET USE TO THE FOCUS AND THE ZOOM RING. GREAT LENS.

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  Durable, Nice Bokeh, Rugged, Consistent Output, Easily Interchangeable, Strong Construction, Fast / accurate auto-focus

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  Heavy

I purchased this lens to use with my 40D. It is the only lens I have right now. I did a lot of research before purchasing it as the price tag was rather steep. I can honestly say I have no regrets. This lens, due its wide angle and zoom, is a great all purpose lens.

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  I/S, durable, excellent for low light shots.

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  heavy, pricy, lens hood not included.

This lens is the same as the kit lenses that come with the rebel series. ONLY A LOT BETTER! first off the F/2.8 is great in all situations especially for wonderful bokah and low light situations. The only reason why this lens is not an L series is because it does not work with all the cameras.

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  Consistent Output, Easily Interchangeable, Fast, Rugged, Sharp Focus

I have used this lens for about five months now and shot several hundred pictures with it. It's used only on a 30D body. Some people have noticed barrel distortion and some pincushion issues with their lenses.

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  Build quality., Fast maximum aperture, which takes advantage of the finer 30D autofocus capabilities associated with f2.8 and faster lenses., Superior picture quality.

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  Wish the short focal length was 15mm., Not dust sealed like the L lenses., Fits only digital Rebel, Rebel XT, Rebel XTi, 20D, 30D, and probably the upcoming 40D (or whatever they call it)., Attracts a lot of attention, especially with the hood attached.