Product reviewsCanon EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 IS USM Lens

Ideal upgrade from Canon's standard zoom

This is an ideal lens if you are looking to upgrade the rather plasticky, but optically ok, kit lens that you get with a Canon crop-sensor camera (I have a 750D and a 7D). This is a much more substantial piece of kit. Many reviews suggest it is heavy but that really isn't a problem for me. The lens offers a very similar zoom range to the kit (17-55) but the maximum aperture of F 2.8 means that it is a lot better in low-light situations where you want to avoid using a flash. The biggest advantage, however, is the image quality which is extremely impressive judging from the pictures I have taken so far.

I am delighted with this lens and would really recommend it if you are wanting to upgrade your equipment. The only disadvantage I would say is that if you want to get a full-frame camera this will not work and you would need to get its L range equivalent - not a cheap option. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: greenquark

Canon EF-S 17-55mm a 2020 perspective

There are plenty of 5 star reviews for this lens, most are several years out of date. So here's a 2020 view.

Build quality is ok, the plastics aren't too cheap. You shouldn't be disappointed.r>Weight: Some say the lens is heavy, but I disagree. The body and lens combo should feel balanced, which is achieved when mounted to a typical DSLR.
Image Quality - there's way too much emphasis on the constant F2.8.
Tested at F2.8 with a 17mm focal length, the image is soft (not just the corners). I took the same shot on a cheap Motorola phone, the F/L appears to be about the same - roughly 17mm.
The phone won. A bit sharper when viewed side by side. I was very surprised, things have moved on - a lot!
The good news - stopped down to F8, the lens does produce some decent images. I also have the notorious Canon 24-105mm L lens.
In comparison at 24 & 55mm focal lengths, the 17-55mm performed nearly as well.
The L lens is just a fraction sharper, but not sufficient to warrant any unnecessary excitement.
The lens is sharpest at F11, the quality tails off after that.
To sum up - a decent lens, much better than the kit stuff. However don't expect super sharp (handheld) shots in low light, F2.8 just can't come up with the goods. You'd be better off using a phone. For all other situations the lens is perfectly adequate.
Just don't pay too much for one, there's just no point!
I hope this helps.
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A quick update - after a couple of months use, I think the 24 - 105mm L is the preferential option.
Yes - it's not as wide, but the extra 50mm of zoom power is much more useful in the real world. If you need a wide shot, take two in portrait & stich together. You'll get a better image with less distortion & more resolution - sorted!

(All test shots used a 7D mk2, at ISO 100, using a tripod & remote shutter release for consistency).




Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: bullet-1098

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

I am now the third owner of my copy, and it doesn't seem to be any worse for wear for it. But then again most camera buffs take pretty good care of their equipment. My copy, perhaps just lucky me, also does not seem to exhibit the dreaded dust sucking problem that it has been reputed to have. I see no dust specks under the front element.

I upgraded to this from the 17-85mm IS f4-5.6, which is a nice lens in its own right. I am glad I did for a number of reasons:
- its constant f2.8 is great for low light and bokeh
- my 40D body shifts its center cross-type autofocus point to a higher accuracy mode with f2.8 (or faster) lenses
- it's sharp wide open, and is razor sharp at f4
- images taken with it have more "pop" (i.e. contrast and colour) compared to the 17-85mm, which is typical of L glass
- its barrel distortion at 17mm is significantly better than the 17-85mm (of course you can use DPP in post processing to further reduce)
- it can directly share the 77mm C-PL, ND4, and ND8 filters I already have
- it feels a bit sturdier than 17-85mm did
- it maintains it's value very well, and the demand is high for it in the secondary market

So it's all good, but there are some (minor) niggles:
- it maintains it's value very well, which means I paid a lot for it which I wouldn't mind so much if ...
- ... and it's the same old complaint: for that kind of money you don't get either the L build or a hood (although admittedly I was lucky the additional EW-83J hood was included in my purchase from the previous owner)
- it is big in comparison to the 17-85mm, but it is well balanced on my 40D
- I mourn the loss of the 30mm of extra reach the 17-85mm had (but I have a 85mm f1.8 and a 70-200mm f2.8 in my kit to take care of that)

In summary the lens is great as a walkaround or for indoors, and you won't be disappointed if you get it. It's considered by many, including myself, to be the best single Canon EF-S lens to date for IQ. I had briefly considered the 24-105mm f4L instead, but felt that not having the wide end was a show stopper for my walkaround needs even though I also own a 10-22mm. The 24-105mm is a perfect range on a FF body though.

Some would advise against buying this lens, or any other EF-S for that matter, because if you ever upgrade to FF you will need to ditch it. That is true, but if that time comes for you, you will have a lineup of buyers ready to take it off your hands without you losing very much from what you paid for it. Canon's 1.6x crop lineup is going to be around for a very long time.Read full review...

Outstanding all around lens

I started with a Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4 lens and thought it took good shots. However, after using on vacation for 10 days, I found that I had many shots that simply were not sharp, so when I returned home, the Sigma was also returned. However, I was sold on the utility of a walkaround lens in that range.

After doing quite a bit of research, it became clear that the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS lens was loved by everyone that reviewed it and used it. After I read a review that showed it consistently delivers sharpness equal to or better than most primes, I made the leap.

I have to tell you, this lens exceeded my expectations. The only reason I cannot get a sharp image is due to my own failing, not this lens. I can use it wide open and not have to worry about soft edges or other issues often noted when you use lesser lenses at their max aperture. Focus is fast and dead on and while the IS isn't quite as good as my 70-200, it is still terrific. Don't let anyone tell you you don't need IS with wider lenses, you do - at least with Canon's IS.

This is indeed my walkaround lens - great for landscapes and almost every other task not requiring a longer lens. The only reason to go to a prime is for a faster lens - for that, I have my eye on the Sigma 30mm f1.4.

Don't do what I tried to do and settle for less, especially if you have made the investment in a good camera (I have the 7D). Spend the money on a few good Canon lenses - especially zooms, and use Sigma/Tamron for primes and macros where they seem to do quite well.Read full review...

An "L" lens by any other name!

This truly is a Canon "L" quality lens minus the packaging. The optical quality is certainly up to par with Canon's "L" lenses, but the case build and weatherproofing are not. That's not to say that there is anything wrong with the build, it's typical Canon, which is the highest quality. This lens is:
1) Quick: It focuses quickly and accurately in all types of lighting.
2) Sharp: From fully stopped to fully open. I've read some reports of it being slightly soft at the edges when fully opened, but have not seen it for myself.
3) Lovely Bokeh: Absolutely beautiful, soft bokeh.
4) Smooth: Focus ring and zoom both easy to reach and use and also very smooth.
5) Fast: F 2.8 throughout the entire range of zoom.
6) Spendy, but well worth the money. If you have a good dslr, do yourself a favor and buy good glass for it or you'll be disappointed in the performance. Lens and cameras are like sound systems and speakers. It doesn't matter how good your amplifier is if you buy cheap speakers and it won't matter how good your camera body is if you outfit it with cheap glass.
One of the most useful "walk around" lenses in my opinion, with an effective range of 27mm-88mm on a 1.6 crop apsc sensor. The wide is perfect for panoramic views and the zoom is just enough for portraits. Canon's 28mm-270mm F3.5-5.6 L lens is my second lens and is the perfect accompaniment for this lens.Read full review...

Best Lens for an APS-C Canon

With it's effective 27-88mm range, this lens is the perfect high quality glass for general use.
If you're doing portraits or landscape, you're probably using a FF camera and L glass but for travel, family events, as a backup at a wedding or close photos at a school ball game, this is a great lens.
Image stability, fast f/2.8 throughout the range, excellent image quality, fast and silent focusing make this one of the best non-L lenses out there.
A perfect match for a Canon 7D, 10D to 60D. A bit heavy and overbearing for a Rebel but it will do the job.Read full review...

An excellent sharp lens for video!

I'll keep this short and sweet.

I'm using this lens on the canon 60d and primarily for video. It's a wonderfully sharp lens! A fast lens too, lovely bokeh at 2.8! What you need to know... The Image Stabiliser is brilliant BUT audibly noisy as with many, so try and use external audio equipment if you can as the inbuilt mic will pick it up in quiet situations. General use/shooting outdoors/noisy environment and it's not really an issue.

The zoom is a bit clunky when it comes to trying smooth zooms (video), but this is to expected with most dslr lenses. The inside lens also attracts dust, I've read a few tutorials online about how to take the lens apart and clean... a bit risky but something I may do if i'm feeling brave. Nothings coming up on screen so it's more me being a perfectionist than anything!

What else, doesn't come with a lens hood. WHY?! No idea, But plenty can be found on ebay.

Very happy with my purchase!Read full review...

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

I bought this lens because 1)I wanted a zoom, not a prime lens, 2)I wanted no less than 2.8 for the whole range a the zooming, 3)I wanted something on this range or close, but no wideangle or macro 4)Everybody's else reviews on this lens performance complaint only on the dust it can collect, something I can live with and that I can solve by myself.

And I don't regret at all. Pictures are oustanding, I have been shooting under low light conditions for weeks so far and what you can do and get is centuries beyond my now old Kodak "point and shoot" Z650. My new camera is a Canon 550D, which I'm learning to use with the concept of reading tha manual and the Internet and taking pictures almost everyday. I will not improve if I don't practice!

I know it will not be possible to use it with a full frame, but I'm from Argentina and a full frame it's not in my future due to the cost. So the cuestion is: Is there a zoom lens better than this one on this range for the 550D? I don't think so.Read full review...

How did I live without it?

First of all you should all know that I am NOT a professional photographer just a very keen amateur.
I judge value for money when buying a new lens on how difficult it is to replicate the results it gives you with any you already own. In other words how unique it's performance.
I use a Canon 7D that I love and rate very highly and so this specific lens is a perfect match for the smaller sensor in the body. So try as I did I cannot match the unique performance of this lens. It is so versatile and so fast that I don't know how I got by without it.
I have now taken a lot of pictures with this lens and it's amazing. The image quality is nothing short of superb it's very fast and achieves beautiful background blur due to the circular apature. It is also very quiet and has a useful and effective three stop image stabiliser but best of all is the constant f2.8 apature.
I read reviews about the poor build quality but to be honest I don't see any cause to complain. It is a little heavy but so is gold. Easily lived with and to some reassuring. I would highly recommend this lens to anyone.
I paid a fair price for a nearly new, boxed and immaculate lens but knowing what I do now would have gladly paid more.
A must for your kit bag.Read full review...

Great optical quality from this lens!

I purchased this lens because I had the Canon EF 24-105mm f4 IS USM, and it just wasn't quite fast enough in some low-light situations that I'd been in recently during weddings. I needed the fast aperture as well as IS. I had read a lot of good things about the 17-55, so decided to pursue it.

Let me first say that I loved the 24-105mm. If it were not for the difference between f4 and f2.8, I would have definitely stuck with it. It took awesome photos, the range on it was awesome, and it was very solid in terms of build and feel. If it will meet your needs, I would highly recommend it.

Back to the 17-55:

Pros
-Great image quality
-Very usable at f/2.8 and produces great bokeh for a zoom
-Relatively light
-Focus and zoom rings are smooth
-Overall, a great performer and I can recommend it

Cons
-The build; I guess I was spoiled by L lenses (also had a 70-200mm), but the 17-55mm is very plastic-y and definitely not as solid as the L lenses I've owned. It is still superior to kit lenses, but definitely not "L" material (although I supposed if it was, and it had the nice red ring around the barrel, it would be much more expensive).
-Dust easily gets into the barrel - the zoom acts as a vacuum, and there's been quite a bit of dust that's accumulated. I haven't seen this affect any images yet.

All-in-all I would highly recommend this lens, although do not expect it to feel or handle like an L lens.Read full review...