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Canon EF-S 17-55 mm

We have collected and analyzed 28 expert reviews and 1052 user reviews from international sources. Experts rate this product 76/100 and users rate it 89/100. The average review date is Feb 3, 2009. We have compared these reviews to 124913 reviews from other Lenses & Filters. Last update: Jun 20, 2013.

Review analysis

(Based on 1080 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (51% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (37% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
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Features

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Design
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Showing 474 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 474 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (605)

Expert review by:

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

 

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ($1,179 direct) is the top-end standard zoom lens for Canon APS-C cameras. Rebel D-SLRs are generally bundled with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens that, while quite sharp, has a relatively slow f-stop, often...

Very sharp at wider angles. Fast aperture. Minimal distortion

Big. Expensive. Soft at 55mm

If you're looking to upgrade your 18-55mm kit lens, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is a good, but expensive, way to go.

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Expert review by:

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

 

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. 17mm | 28mm | 35mm | 55mm ...

I'm not sure why Canon did not go all the way and make the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens an L-Series lens. An upgraded (metal) lens barrel seems to be the missing component - and the red ring. Also, the accessories included with L-Series lenses...

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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens

 

The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens review is planned

The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens is made of quality plastic. The inner barrel extension is solid (no wobble) and the entire lens feels well-built. The generously-sized zoom ring is smooth with very little play and is sufficiently stiff to...

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Expert review by:

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Review

 

The EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS standard zoom lens is a great all-around lens for the consumer grade photographer looking to update their stock lens setup. It is designed with the consumer level photographer in

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Tested: Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6

 

Introduced last year, this extrawide zoom built for Canons with APS-C-sized sensors makes an attractive utility lens for the new EOS 60D or can serve as a wider, longer alternative to the Rebel kit lens. Canon's widest EF-S zoom with image...

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

 

The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens is one of the best general purpose, if not the best general purpose lenses on the market with a Canon EF-S mount. It is designed to meet consumer

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Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM EF-S Review Round-Up

 

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 seen so far for an APS-C standard zoom lens. The center resolution is...

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

 

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...

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Recommended

Expert review by:

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

 

The optical design consists of 19 elements in 12 groups with two Ultra-Low Dispersion glass (UD) elements to eliminate secondary chromatic aberrations, along with two aspherical elements to avoid spherical aberrations at wider apertures.

Bright f2.8 aperture throughout zoom range ; Effective anti-shake IS capability ; Fast and quiet USM focusing motor ; Superb low-light performance

Relatively expensive ; Construction not Canon L standard yet ; Range shorter than cheaper EF-S 17-85mm ; Lens hood and pouch are not included

Canon’s highest-end EF-S lens so far may not meet L standards, in terms of build quality anyway, but it’ll be welcomed by EF-S body owners who are into portraiture or low light work. Since we believe the EF-S 17-85mm represents a more flexible and...

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Expert review by:

Canon EF-S 17-55/2.8IS USM

 
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Product Specifications

With its effective focal length range of approximately 16-35mm in 35mm format, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is a remarkable lens with outstanding image quality that will take your photography into new dimensions and areas of dramatic expression. The super-wide zoom not only gives you the freedom to get exactly what you want in the shot, it dramatically alters perspective to allow for dynamic expression. The lens allows you to get extremely close to subjects, exaggerating the difference in size between a near object and its background. Creative photographers can use this phenomenon to create excellent separation between subject and background for a strong sense of presence, or for a pan-focus effect with everything from foreground to background sharply in focus. Exceptionally light and compact for its focal length range, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM also has an incredibly close minimum focusing distance of just 24cm. A ring-type USM works in concert with the camera to provide super-fast, precision auto focusing and predictive tracking - with full manual override available at any time. Designed specifically for digital photography, the lens has specially shaped lens elements and Super Spectra coatings to suppress ghosting and flare, which can be caused by reflections off digital camera sensors. An exclusive optional lens hood can further reduce the incidence of flare. A circular aperture provides a pleasing background blur when shooting with a wide aperture; ideal for creating a sense of depth and getting your subject or model to stand out from the background.

Accessories

Accessory Type:Focusing screen
Compatibility (Camera Model):Canon EOS 40D

Dimensions & Weight

Diameter:3.1in/3.3in
Length:4in
Weight:16.8oz/22.7oz

Focusing Screen

Type:Super Precision Matte

Header

Manufacturer:Canon
Model:EF-S
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Canon/Canon EF-S

Lens System

Focus Adjustment:Automatic / Manual/Automatic / Manual
Intended For:Digital SLR
Lens Aperture:F/2.8/F/4.0-5.6
Max Focal Length:55mm/85mm
Max View Angle:78.5degrees
Min Focal Length:17mm
Min Focus Range:13.8in
Optical Zoom:3.2/5
Special Functions:Zoom
System Type:Lens
Type:Zoom lens

Lens System Mounting

Mounting Type:Canon EF-S

Optical System

Image Stabilizer:Optical
Magnification:0.2

Service & Support

Type:1 year warranty
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