Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens USA
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While an excellent ultra-wide zoom lens for film SLR cameras, the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens is especially well suited for use with EOS digital SLR cameras, which usually have an imaging sensor size smaller than the 35mm format. When used with such digital SLR cameras, the 17-40mm focal length range gives an angle of view approximately equivalent to that of a 27-64mm lens upon 35mm cameras, making it an ideal medium-aperture standard zoom lens.
The EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, like all of the Canon "L" lenses, delivers optical performance equal to similar fixed focal length lenses, with silent, high-speed focusing. Distortions and aberrations are remarkably small for a lens of such amazing capability. It combines 1 high-precision molded glass aspherical lens and 2 replica aspherical lenses to achieve the extended zoom range, while also correcting for common aberrations that arise during zooming. A Super UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass element minimizes the chromatic aberration of magnification which tends to occur with wide-angle lenses, to help eliminate color bleed along the edges of the subject and achieve high image contrast and resolution.
The 17-40's minimum focusing distance is just 11" (28cm) throughout its entire range of focal lengths, which makes it very useful for close-up work. All of the focusing and zooming action is done internally, with no changes of the size of the lens. It only uses lead-free optics to help the environment, and features a circular diaphragm for improved background blur. The housing is water and dust resistant to help ensure reliable performance for both professionals and enthusiasts. Like many "L" lenses, it uses 77mm filters, but also has a rear gelatin filter slot behind the lens mount.
This lens is a Canon 'EF' series lens, indicating it is for use with full-frame cameras. It works equally well with APS-C format DSLRs.
- An autofocus super wide angle zoom lens for both film and digital cameras
- Produces 27-64mm equivalent focal length with "APS-C" size digital EOS SLR cameras (such as the EOS 20D, EOS 30D, EOS Digital Rebel, EOS 50D, etc.)
- Uses 3 aspherical lens elements and Canon Super UD ultra-low dispersion glass
- Provides professional levels of moisture and dust resistance
- Internal zooming and focusing
- Circular aperture diaphragm for better, more natural looking background blurring
- Accepts 77mm filters, as well as gelatin filters upon the rear of lens
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 17 - 40 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/4 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 104° - 57° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 11.02" (28 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.24x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:4.1 |
| Groups/Elements | 9/12 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 77 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.3 x 3.8" (8.38 x 9.65 cm) |
| Weight | 1.05 lb (476 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 597 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
99%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (563)
- Strong construction (389)
- Durable (352)
- Consistent output (341)
- Easily interchangeable (294)
Cons
- Poor in low light (60)
- Heavy (48)
- Blurry focus (12)
- Slow focus (10)
- Difficult to clean (6)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (329)
- General purpose (174)
- Weddings (130)
- Landscape photography (108)
- Night photography (96)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (130), Semi-pro photographer (116), Enthusiast (115), Semi-professional (63), Pro photographer (59)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (213), Yes (11)
Most Liked Positive Review
Love that fresh new smell...
While this lens doesn't offer an aperture larger than f/4, don't let this minor set back deter you - especially if you're looking to save a few shillings by not dumping a shoots worth...Read complete review
While this lens doesn't offer an aperture larger than f/4, don't let this minor set back deter you - especially if you're looking to save a few shillings by not dumping a shoots worth of dough on the 16-35 f2.8L II. Right out of the box, I was like a kid on Christmas. Purchased to replace my trusty Tamron 17-50, this lens did not fall short of my expectations. Very sharp, & just wide enough on full frame and cropped censor bodies. Used mainly for events, with flash - so f/4 is just open enough for me. And, anything shot outdoors - landscape/cityscape - the aperture ring won't even dream of being closed down lower than f/11 anyhow.So, if you're on the fence, looking to upgrade, or need a friends for your camera bag inhabitants, believe me, the Canon 17-40 f4/L is the lens for you.Con: Flag on the play! Do not purchase the Canon 77mm UV Filter to protect this lens. It's glass is set to shallow in the filter ring and touching occurs between the front lens element of the Canon 17-40 f/4L and the filter - caught this just in time I might add, 2 minutes after opening the box! Just be cautious when putting on any filter. Check to make sure the convex shape of the front element does not encroach on your filter's territory.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Nice and wide on full frame
I've just gotten started with it, but I'm using this lens on a 5DmkII. It's easily my widest lens, and is quite wide on the 5D. I've never used the 16-35 or ...Read complete review
I've just gotten started with it, but I'm using this lens on a 5DmkII. It's easily my widest lens, and is quite wide on the 5D. I've never used the 16-35 or the 14mm. While it's not exactly what I would call a cheap lens, it is cheap for an L lens, and so I would expect some compromises to have been made. While I've not done any sort of side by side comparison, I would say it's not the sharpest lens, particularly at the edges, and it does have some vignetting. This seems to be the case even when stopped down and zoomed, although these issues are probably worst at 17mm at f4.On the upside, I do like the metal construction and weather sealing of an L lens. It opens up to f4 regardless of focal length, which is fast enough to use the precision focusing screen on the 5DmkII (it's visibly darker than the normal screen, but usable). I'm not unhappy with the distortion it produces. Most importantly, it's a seriously wide, Canon L lens for only [$] The 16-35 and the 14 are both twice as expensive.
Reviewed by 597 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Super Lens!
B&H, Thank you!!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Disclaimer - I am not a pro.
I use it on a 50d and my other lenses are a 70-200 F4 IS L and 50mm F1.4.
I wanted something that took decent wide angle shots and couldn't find a prime lens that was similar in quality to my 50mm-- the 14mmf2.8 and 24mm f1.4 were not great value for my needs. I had a choice between 16-35f2.8, 24-70mmf2.8 and 24-105f4. I chose this lens as the best compromise between price and quality for my needs.
The picture quality is much better than the 18-200 kit lens that came with the camera. It appears comparable in quality to my other lenses, albeit I can't compare the 3 of them directly given their different focal lengths. The end pictures are quite sharp, minimal distortion and minimal CA. It is also quite light.
The key con for me is that it isn't fast but I knew that walking in.
Overall very pleased with the value for money.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
I bought this to use with my Canon 60D. Great build quality and feel, excellent photographic results. Fairly compact and light for an L lens. I use this mostly for outdoor work.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
First L lens I have ever used, and it is by far a welcomed addition to my arsenal. I do mainly portrait photography and I am a strobist so f/4 makes no difference compared to the 2.8 model. I noticed this lens is sharper at a couple stops up from f/4 and peak sharpness is around f/8. Love using it for tight spaces or adding a flair of artistic value, to stretch limbs. It does wonders for women's legs while using it at around 17mm. Keeping in mind the angle you are at and lighting comes into play. I give it a 5 stars when coupled with a B+W haze filter to finish off the package and to make it weather sealed. You will love this lens for portraits or for landscape photography.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Jeremy H
Low Key f/9iso100-1/40th sec- 40mm w/off cam flash
Images shared by Jeremy H
Low Key f/9iso100-1/40th sec- 17mm w/off cam flash
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Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
This is my first wide angle lens for my 5DMk II and it has opened a completely new dimension of photography for me. I could not wait to try it over the weekend when it arrived and I was extremely pleased with the results. It focusses fast and suits me for my kind of low light photography as well. Stellar results and I highly recommend it.
Do not wish to take away credit from B&H for a wonderful price and excellent on time delivery to me here in Singapore. Am very very impressed with their service.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Sanjay
Water Glass
Images shared by Sanjay
Singapore CBD
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Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
I use this lens for weddings,and works great
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Rugged
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Video
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Ever since I sold my 30D and 10-22 for a 5DII I haven't had wide angle capability and really missed it. Finally decided to buy this lens after reading several reviews around the web. What a great lens. Light weight, much lighter than the 24-70, more compact, and captures great images.
Vignetting is a bit of an issue wide open, but its easilly correctable - and how often do you shoot a scene where you would notice it (like the sky) wide open? Lens hood doesn't do much except offer some physical protection.
I do a lot of video production these days, and its working out well for that, too.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Is great for adventure pictures!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
This is an excellent lens for the money. The choice for me came down to either this lens -- which cost me [$] from B&H -- or the slightly faster Canon 16-35 lens at nearly twice the cost.This lens focuses fast, focus is sharp and the pictures -- at least with my 5DM2 -- are nicely saturated and show acceptable contrast. Keep in mind this is NOT Leica glass, but for Canon, this glass does a very nice job capturing images.One other very nice feature of this lens, and one that is very important to me, is that the zoom is all internal. In other words, when zooming in and out, the lens does not extend outward beyond the end of the lens. The outward extending zoom lenses are a pain to use particularly if the lens is a heavy lens to start with. The heavier the lens the more it can throw the balance of the lens+camera off. I wish more Canon zoom lenses were all internal rather than the extend type.I would highly recommend this lens to anyone with a Canon camera based on image quality, color rendition and of course cost.Finally, I highly recommend an Onyx 10 case to carry this lens around with. The cases that Canon includes with their lenses is not protective at all and should only be used to carry candy and snacks, not expensive glass!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- No focus ring hard stops
- Only f4
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
This lens is one of the best you can get for the price. It's got great optics, L-lens construction quality, very well-controlled flare (but when it does occur it's quite pleasing), and covers a great wide-angle range without having the lens barrel extend as you zoom. It can also focus quite closely, and the ultrasonic motor focuses quickly and quietly.
It feels solid and refined, but like the perfect size and weight for a 7D, not too light or too heavy.
All around, it's just a spectacular lens, great for DSLR video since nothing rotates or extends when focusing or zooming, and the 17-40 focal length makes it perfect for an APS-C sized sensor camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Expensive but unmatched
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
I'm using a Canon 7D. I took a few test shots around my house and backyard. The pictuers look
very clear and sharp.Will give it more starts once I give it s thorough testing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Up until know I had been buying used, or lower end lenses, but I considered this lens an investment in my future, so I bought it for myself as a Christmas/ New Years gift. I shoot mainly pet photography but I also do some street photography.
I have only had it a few weeks,so I have not shot all that much with it, but I will say it is super fast, and I am loving some of the close action shots that I am getting with some of the dogs. Wide angle photography is all new to me but I am starting to get the feel of the lens, and all it can do. It has a solid build quality and looks impressive! The only cons are it seems to be poor in low light, and the other con is very minor... The hood looks ridiculous!At first I was shooting without it, but was having trouble with flare, so the hood stays on now and my photos are much better for it. I would recommend this lens to anyone.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Rugged
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Mostly scenics.
Great image!
Little wa distortion at edges.
Not up to usual L quality image.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Rugged
- Sharp
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Build quality is excellent.
Fits the range I needed for landscape shots.
Color and sharpness, while maybe not on par with something like a Zeiss 21mm Distagon, is very acceptable for the usable range gained.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Rugged
Cons
- NONE
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Very well built and good deal. Very sharp and great colors. Could be a little wider for my liking but I'm used to very super wide lenses like 12 24.
Quality is great.
Would buy again
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
Replace my
ES lens with the
ef its like night and day
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
This lens is perfect for crop cameras as a general purpose lens...from landscape to even portrait. It's not perfect for portrait, but it's good enough for a quick snapshot with little distortion at wide angle. This lens is perfect for landscape. It was snowing when I got my lens..and I took it out for a shoot, everything worked fantastically as it's weatherproof and man...the contrast and color this lens offers is fabulous...The focusing is fast and silent..as this is using a USM motor..and the front element doesn't extend..so perfect if you're using a filter holder, or screw-on filters. The zoom ring on the lens is nice, solid, and smooth. The hood that comes with it is also very nice..hard and strong to protect your lens from collisions, and block out flares. If you can't afford a 16-35mm L lens...get this to start with..you'll love it. With the money I paid, I'm really satisfied and enjoyed it so far. B&H's service is really responsive, when I was asking about the tracking code, they replied to me the next day. This lens just makes me really happy...again...if you are thinking about replacing your kit lens for crop cameras..get this for under $800...you won't regret it. However, the only con for this lens would be its lack of IS and so its f/4 aperture..so this lens won't be ideal for hand holding in low light situations. You can check out some pictures I took to compare at my blog- francongphotography at wordpress.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
great lens for a great price, but only justify in a full frame body otherwise take the 10-22mm EF-S.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Bang for the buck
- Color
- Resolution
Cons
- None at this time
Best Uses
- General carry around lens
- Scenery
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
After reading the reviews I was convinced this was what I needed next. I replaced the 18-55mm kit lens. It gave me excellent service also. I can tell a difference, though. Maybe its me, but I feel justified in buying the lens. I was just at the zoo and the pictures have great color and the resolution is incredible. I like the lense.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
Cons
- Heavy
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens:
I purchased this lens for general purpose use on my T1i. With the APS-C format, this lens gives an equivalent focal length of 27-64mm, which I needed for landscape and indoor shots. Stopped down on a tripod outside, the lens is excellent. However, at times indoors I would like to have the additional stop down to f2.8 for ambient lighting conditions. Overall, I'm pleased with the performance.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Scott
Images shared by Scott
(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
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- Price: $53.85
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Hoods & Covers
- Price: $13.95
- Price: $18.99
Cases & Wraps
- Price: $11.99
Protection/Camouflage
- Price: $39.99
This item is usually Drop Shipped from the MFR/Distributor within 7-10 days (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at the time of placing the order with the MFR
Protective Wraps & Mats
- Price: $9.00
What's in the Box
- 77mm Snap-On Lens Cap
- Lens Dust Cap E (Rear)
- EW-83E Lens Hood
- Lens Case LP1319
- 1-Year Warranty
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