f/2.8 - MPN: 1242B002 See Product Details
Description
To meet user demands for a fast EF-S zoom lens, Canon has specially designed a new lens with a large aperture of f/2.8 for select Canon Digital SLR cameras. The large circular aperture produces a shallow depth-of-field, creating background blur that draws attention to the photographic subject. The lens construction includes UD and aspherical elements, which deliver impressive image quality throughout the entire zoom range. Image Stabilizer lens groups shift to compensate for camera movement so that the image appears steady on the image plane, ensuring clear, crisp images, even in dim light. With a Ring-type USM, inner focusing and new AF algorithms, this lens achieves autofocus quickly and quietly, and with full-time mechanical manual focusing, manually adjusting the focus is possible even in AF mode.
Quick Glance
Camera Mount: Digital SLR Cameras: EOS 30D EOS 20D EOS 20Da Digital Rebel XT Digital Rebel
Lens Type: Zoom
Max Focal Length: 55 mm
Max Aperture: f/ 2.8 (Wide)
Summary
Product Title: Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens
Manufacturer: Canon
Lowest Price: $979.00
Power Score: 4.3 | 17 Reviews
Usage Information
Compatible Camera Mount: Digital SLR Cameras: EOS 30D EOS 20D EOS 20Da Digital Rebel XT Digital Rebel
Lens Type: Zoom
Optics
Min Focal Length: 17 mm
Max Focal Length: 55 mm
Max Aperture: f/ 2.8 (Wide)
Min Focus Distance: 1.15 ft
Filter Size Supported: 77 mm
Image Stabilization: Optical
Other Features
Included Components: Case, Lens Hood
Physical Specifications
Dimensions: 4.40" Length x 3.30" Diameter
Diameter: 3.3 in
Length: 4.4 in
Weight: 1.42 lb
Warranty
Warranty Information: 1 Year Limited Warranty
More Info
URL: Manufacturer Link
Additional Specifications
Lens Construction: 19 Elements in 12 Groups
Strengths: Fast USM AF + f/2.8 + Bullet-proof IS = shooting in all kind of conditions without hassles/tripod/flash.
Weakness: Pricey, not dust/weather sealed, flare control could be better.
The first thing you will notice is the sharpness of this baby. It's sharp @ f/2.8 through the range, and much sharper than EF17-40L through f/4-f8 especially in the corners. Amazingly it still holds its ground till f/16, that’s nearly Macro lens territory. Sharpness wise this thing is nearly as good as 50mm prime lens, certainly in the best group of L league. Color and contrast are very good @...
Strengths: Fantastic build quality - very fast focusing - Image Stabilization!!
Weakness: lots of vignetting around 17-20mm
The perfect lens for going wide back up to portrait range. This is truly an L lens, but not marketed that way for Canon's silly reasons. It's massive, but f/2.8 all the way through with IS is wonderful for wedding photography and landscapes.
Strengths: Extremely sharp, perfect walk around range for a 1.6 crop, IS + f2.8 is very useful
Weakness: Some flaring and vignetting under extreme condition
I am an amateur photographer although I spend like a pro sometimes. I have two Canon 350D bodies, 17-40L, 70-200 f/4L, 60mm macro and 580EX. The 17-40L is nice but a little short and slow. I bought the 17-55mm f2.8 IS and did some comparison with my 17-40L. The new lens is sharper at almost all f-stops at overlapping 17-40mm. That means I get a sharper 17-40, plus a bonus of 40-55mm, and IS and...
Strengths: The best walk around zoom lens for 1.6 crop. Extremely high optical quality. F2.8 + IS allow low light shooting that even FF does not have yet.
Weakness: Some flaring when shooting at a bright light such as spot light or sun.
Optically speaking, this lens beats or matches all the L's and primes that Canon made. I think is is the sharpest zoom lens Canon has made. Based on my testing, it is one step sharper than all of these lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f/4L, 70-200 IS, 50 f/1.4. It is two steps sharper than my 17-40L. Comparing to the ef-s 60mm macro, in my opinion the sharpest prime that Canon made, it is very close...
Strengths: Sharp, wide aperture. Image stabilizatin helps in low-light handheld work
Weakness: Expensive. Slightly heavy. Doesn't come with lens hood.
Very sharp lens with beautiful bokeh. Wide aperture provides a bright viewfinder. Solid construction despite some plastic parts. No obvious vignetting, chromatic aberration or distortion on everyday use. Image stabilization at f/2.8 allows night-time photography without tripod with excellent shots. However, the lens was 200g heavier and at least $500 more expensive than similar lenses without...
Strengths: Fast Lens, able to take action pictures indoors w/ out a flash, Sharp Crisp pictures. versatile focal length
Weakness: Priced as an L lens w/ out the build quality. Relatively Heavy
I am currently using the Digital Rebel body. I had been using the kit lens 18-55mm, 50 mm 1.4 and 55-200mm. I mainly take pictures of Martial Arts events, and weddings. I found that I was using the kit lens the majority of the time. I sold my 3 lenses to purchase the EF-S 17-55mm f/ 2.8 IS USM. When I first received the lens my initial response was that the build quality was not as nice as the...
Strengths: f/2.8. Image stabilization. All the usual strengths of USM lenses.
Weakness: Price. Wish it was 17-85. Or even 17-70.
I got this lens just in time to shoot a wedding this weekend and a couple of outdoor portrait sessions since then. I was previously using the EF-S 17-85mm. The f/2.8 makes a world of difference shooting indoor weddings and at dusk when light is the best for portraits. The constant aperture is a "must have" as far as I'm concerned because the variable aperture on the 17-85 was frustrating when...
Strengths: Great optical performance (comparable to L series), wide open at f2.8 for background blur, IS is a huge plus.
Weakness: Price is too high, no lens hood included, zoom barrel not smooth enough, construction not as good as L series, fit only EF-S mount cameras.
I have been debating for a long time whether I should go for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS or EF 24-70 f2.8L. The EF-S 17-85 is a big no-no because of its poor optical performance. My major concern on 17-55 is that it only fits EF-S mount cameras, which means it will have to go when I upgrade to a full-frame camera body eventually. However, there just isn't any walk-around lens (on a 1.6x crop body) from...
Strengths: Equivalent of 27-88mm on a APC-S camera with f2.8 and IS
Weakness: Expensive
If you look at reviews from the-digital-picture.com, the 17-55mm IS compares favorably to 16-35L, 17-40L and 24-70L: "My Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM Lens is slightly sharper in the center at 17mm wide open, but the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is sharper at all other tested focal lengths - and proved much sharper in the corners at all focal lengths and apertures. Distortion was also less...
The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is a fast zooming lens designed specifically for the Canon EOS 30D, 20D, 20Da, Digital Rebel XT and Digital Rebel. This lens has a large f/2.8 aperture, giving it increased light gathering abilities for distant targets. The aperture is circular and produces a shallow depth-of-field, naturally blurring the background and keeping the subject the focus of...
Top
Testseek.com has collected 14 expert reviews for Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and the average expert rating is 75 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
Top
Ultimately while the EF-S 17-55mm makes a great premium zoom for EF-S body owners, you’ve really got to be into either portraiture or low-light photography to justify its higher cost. Most general photographers will be better served by the longer range, not to mention cheaper price of the EF-S 17-85mm. And if you like the sound of an f2.8 zoom but not the high cost, consider the Sigma 18-50mm...
Top
Very solid EF-S lens
Strengths: sharp, UWA to normal zoom coverage
Weakness: price, size (it's pretty bulky), EF-S mount only, no hood
This is one of the best EF-S lenses available on the market at this time. Lens is pretty sharp throughout, although it vignettes somewhat at 17mm. The price is a killer - $1000 for a non-L lens is just expensive. Build quality is average as well - it's not bad, but can't be compared to L lenses. I often use this lens as a general walk-around lens, although it is a bit too bulky for my taste....
Read Full Review