Canon Zoom Lenses

Canon Wide Angle Lens

Canon EF-S Lenses

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

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM zoom lens, with its constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, is the top-rated, and most expensive, of Canon's EF-S lenses designed specifically for Canon EOS digital SLR cameras with the smaller APS-C format sensor.

In a Nutshell:
* Zoom range: 17-55mm -- suitable for landscapes, interiors, portraits, travel
* Equivalent focal length for APS-C sensors: 27.2-88mm (1.6x crop factor)
* Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout zoom range
* Image stabilizer (IS) -- up to three stops of "camera shake" correction
* Ring-type USM (Ultrasonic motor) for high-speed, silent auto focus
* Lens Construction: 19 elements in 12 groups, including UD and aspherical elements
* Closest focusing distance: 14" or 35cm
* Filter size: 77mm
* Lens Size: 3.3" (83.5mm) in diameter, 4.4" (110.6mm) in length
* Lens Weight: 22.8 oz (645g) (lens only)
* Price: $989.00 to $1,132.00

Canon designed this high quality, standard zoom lens to satisfy demand from customers using digital SLRs with the smaller APS-C size sensors who wanted a lens offering superior image quality, similar to that found in L-series optics.

The majority of Canon's EF-S lenses are not professional quality and are made to meet the less demanding needs of amateur/hobby photographers and first-time users of digital SLRs.

But there are professionals, particularly wedding photographers, using Digital Rebels and 20D-50D bodies, who need to produce top quality images, often in low light. This lens fits their needs with its image stabilizer, f/2.8 maximum aperture, and reasonably wide focal length (27.2mm equivalent) at the wide end.

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm is compatible with:

* EOS Digital Rebel (300D)
* EOS Rebel XT (EOS 350D)
* EOS Rebel XTi (EOS 400D)
* EOS Rebel XSi (EOS 450D)
* EOS Rebel XS (EOS 1000D)
* EOS Rebel T1i (EOS 500D)
* EOS Rebel T2i (EOS 550D)
* EOS 20D
* EOS 30D
* EOS 40D
* EOS 50D
* EOS 7D

The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 will not fit on any EOS 35mm film bodies, or EOS digital cameras with full-frame sensors (1Ds and 5D range) or APS-H sensors (1D range).

User Review Roundup for Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Pros:
* Sharp wide open at all focal lengths
* Fast autofocus
* Low-light excellence
* Low chromatic distortion
* Versatile

Cons:
* Not weather-sealed
* Dust enters easily
* Expensive for EF-S lens
* Big and heavy
* Lens hood not included

User Ratings Roundup:

Star Rating (max 5): 4.5
Points Rating (max 10): 9.1

What Users Are Saying:

"Great in low-light situations. Images are sharp, and built well for non-L lens."

"Razor-sharp, low chroma distortion, wide aperature, good build quality, ultra-fast focus, useful zoom."

"This lens performs great but collects dust easily.".

"Favorite walkaround lens. Excellent in low light, good for portraits, and its not TOO heavy."

"Superb low light lens, excellent for indoor images without flash, and for portraiture, where shallow depth of field is desirable."

See more Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Customer Reviews

Manufacturer's Feature List for the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8:

* Wide angle zoom for EF-S mount bodies
* f/2.8 aperture throughout zoom range
* 3-stop Image Stabilizer
* Fast, quiet auto focus
* Super Spectra coating
* Circular aperture for pleasing background blur
* Passes distance information to E-TTL II
* Optional lens hood

Recommended Uses:

* Portrait photographs at long-end (88mm equivalent)
* Wedding photography - versatile zoom range, IS and f/2.8 aperture good for use in low light
* Travel and walkaround lens, but weight is a disadvantage if carrying for long periods
* Candid photography, street scenes, reportage
* Landscapes, architecture exteriors and interiors at wide end (27.2mm).

Now that you've read about the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens, see also Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM for info on a true ultra wide lens for Canon EOS digital SLR bodies with APS-C sensors.

Return to Canon Lens Reports

Home /  Gallery /  Stock Pics /  Wildlife Shop /  Downloads /  Wildlife Info /  Photo Info /  Safari Info /  Wildlife Art /  Blog /  About /  Contact

Contact Details: Scotch Macaskill, Dirt Road Traders, Currys Post Road, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0)82 578 2329. Privacy: Your privacy is guaranteed. See our Privacy Policy for more. This site accepts advertising and other forms of compensation - see Disclosure and Advertising for details. Site updated: January 2012. Copyright © 2002 - 2012 Scotch Macaskill