Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens USA
- Price: $1,120.00
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The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is a large-aperture lens specifically designed for EF-S type digital SLR cameras, and that offers a super wide angle to short telephoto zoom range, with built-in Image Stabilization. The focal length is equivalent to approx. 27-88mm in 35mm format.
This lens features Canon's latest optical Image Stabilizer technology, providing up to 3-stop compensation for image blur caused by camera shake and slow shutter speeds. This ensures clear, crisp images, even in dim light.
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.
Note: Only Canon Extension Tube EF 25 II and 12 II fit on this lens.
Note! Not suitable for 35mm film SLR cameras or digital camera with image sensor bigger than APS-C size. Only fits on the EOS Digital Rebel series, or 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, and 7D SLR cameras.
- Uses optics designed to take full advantage of the small image circle and short back focus in EF-S lenses
- Features three aspherical lens elements (two types) as well as a Super-UD glass element for high image quality at all focal lengths
- Optimized lens coating minimizing flare and ghosting prone occurring with digital cameras
- Ring-type USM provides ultra-quite, super-fast, precision auto focusing and predictive tracking
- Inner Focusing and new AF algorithms, with full-time mechanical manual focusing
- Circular aperture diaphragm produces brilliant out-of-focus characteristics
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 17 - 55 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF-S |
| Format Compatibility | Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 78.3° - 27.5° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.2' (36.58 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.17x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:5.8 |
| Groups/Elements | 12/19 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 77 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.3 x 4.4" (8.38 x 11.18 cm) |
| Weight | 1.40 lb (635 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 519 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (494)
- Consistent output (337)
- Easily interchangeable (199)
- Strong construction (179)
- Durable (172)
Cons
- Heavy (151)
- Weak casing (23)
- Difficult to clean (17)
- Lens creep (15)
- Pricey / poor value (15)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (220)
- Low light (220)
- Night photography (211)
- Weddings (167)
- General purpose (152)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (157), Enthusiast (99), Semi-pro photographer (85), Casual photographer (44), Semi-professional (36)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (204), Yes (13)
Most Liked Positive Review
A must have lens!
This lens is absolutely fantastic. It's a perfect match for 7D owners! It delivers outstanding picture results (either low light and bokehs) and when it comes to video the fixed 2.8 aperture is ...Read complete review
This lens is absolutely fantastic. It's a perfect match for 7D owners! It delivers outstanding picture results (either low light and bokehs) and when it comes to video the fixed 2.8 aperture is very handy (capturing more light and avoiding image changing while zooming). It's not a long range but it will work for almost any situation with an excellent wide angle and "very good" zoom, which is long enough to avoid camera shake.
USM motor is impressively quiet and fast. It feels very solid and durable while handling. Turning the focus ring overrides AF, which is very handy as well. IS system works as expected and is a big difference when compared to 17-40mm L series lens.
Only cons is that this lens is so heavy and so big that internal flash of the camera isn't high positioned enough to avoid the shadow on the picture (yes, you can actually see the lens shadow on the bottom of the picture so you may consider investing in a external flash)
CA is very well controlled and vignetting is an issue but all modern cameras such as the 7D has an automatic correction for that so the pictures come out just fine right out of the camera (so no worries on that).
Main question is whather or not spend this much money on a lens that is not a L series such as 17-40mm, or has longer zoom range such as the new 15-85mm. The answer is simple: YES!
When compared to 17-40mm (fixed F/4.0) it has an extra 15mm, f/2.8 and IS system, and when compared to the 15-85mm (f/3.5 - 5.6) the fixed 2.8 aperture put this lens on a whole higher level of quality and versatility, you wont even remember of these extra 30mm zoom capability because the picture quality is just way beyond.
Hope to have helped everybody who is in trouble making up their mind.
Good clicks to you all!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Wished this is an L-Series lens
I used this lens in Muir Woods forest and the Golden Gate at 9PM. The 2.8 aperture worked great in low lights and the IS feature was definitely helpful.
I read reviews t...Read complete review
I used this lens in Muir Woods forest and the Golden Gate at 9PM. The 2.8 aperture worked great in low lights and the IS feature was definitely helpful.
I read reviews that warned about dust problems. Sure enough... mine came with a speckle of dust inside the lens! That really upset me and I found more dust in the lens after 1 photo trip.
The unit is also heavy. I feel the casing is a bit flimsy for the weight.
Reviewed by 519 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
Great lens. Nice and sharp with a good build quality. Reminds me of an L lens but not quite as heavy and smooth throughout the zoom range. Optically it is perfect, however, and I'd recommend this to anyone with a crop body not looking to upgrade to a full frame anytime soon. It is expensive, but the results speak for themselves.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Smooth
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I was going to get the 24-70mm but two DP friends independently rec'd this one instead and I'm thrilled they did. With the crop factor on the 60D (my new camera) its just what I want and gives me a wider ranger on the one end. I will eventually purchase the 70-200 to compliment this and feel that will basically cover all my bases!!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
Super sharp, excellent low light performance
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
Relatively fast and sharp with a little less distortion than my old 17-40L
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
This is an amazing lens. Its mega sharp wide open. Honestly, the only turn-off is the high price, but when you use your gear to make money, its worth it.
This is easily able to resolve the 15 MP sensor I have, even in the corners, and at all focal lengths, even at f/2.8. Autofocus is extremely fast and silent. Its slightly faster than my 28-135 IS and 50 1.4. The only lenses that are faster focusing (excluding the super-telephoto primes) are the 24-70L and 70-200 2.8L.
I sort of wish this had a sorter MFD so the magnification was higher, but oh well, I guess you can't have everything.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I'm an amateur photographer using a Canon 60D and the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom lens. I bought this lens to replace the 18-55 standard kit lens because I was looking for something with better performance in low light conditions with similar focal length. While I could have purchased the 17-40mm L series for just a bit more, I'm still glad I went with this lens. it's a GREAT everyday walk around lens for the crop sensor cameras. It produces exceptional bokeh, and offers crisp images throughout the focal ranges. I've found that the sweet spot on my lens is about f4. I feel that this lens is ALMOST L quality lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I have lusted after this lens for a long time, and finally broke down and bought it after a trip to Europe where I was presented with myriad photo ops, only to be disappointed time and again with the performance of the kit lens on my 450D. I'm sure I discarded more picture than I kept. I wish I had spent the money before the trip, as the difference is night and day.
This is a wonderful lens, pictures are razor sharp with minimal fussing, which makes the processing time faster and less troublesome. You've read all the reviews, now just go do it, you know you want it! It will not disappoint you, I promise. Better gear makes a better artist, proven time and again.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I have had this lens for only a couple of weeks, but in this short time, I have found the lens to be pretty amazing in terms of its ease of use, consistency, and sharpness.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Not an L Series with Seal
- Price
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
Love Every Bit of this lens! have had it for a couple of weeks now and it has been capturing things my old sigma's wouldn't.
It is a bit pricey tho.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
Use for people and landscape shots. Like how fast the lens is in low light. Shots are very sharp. Lens is heavier and bigger than I expected, but still very happy with the purchase.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
Solid lens, only faint CA when stopped all the way down - and a very "usable" sweet spot seeminly between f4-f5. This is great portrait lens that really produces high quality images under low lighting conditions. I compared this lens side-by-side to the 24-105mm f/4L USM AF lens....and except for build quality (plasitc EF-S lens vs. metal barrel for the "L" lens), the 17-55mm was the hands down winner in every category for the cropped sensor shooter. Highly recommend, perfect fit in the line-up.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Well Made
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
To put the usual comments up front: yes, the lens is optically very good, handles really well, has decent (not perfect) out-of-focus blur, is well built (although heavy) and costs a small fortune.
The truth is somewhat simpler: if you need what this lens provides -- a f/2.8 aperture and image stabilization in this focal length range -- there is no other choice. While it is far from the perfect lens, it combines these traits in a really well made package.
My initial inclination was to give it 4 stars because it isn't *perfect*... But, on second thought, I realized that it simply does deliver the features and performance it promises. If you need what this lens does, you are buying it!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I got this to do timelapse and night photgraphy. The glass in this lens is out of this world. So sharp
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Image quality
- Image stabilization
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I can't say anything that isn't already in reviews here or elsewhere. However, I've used this lens to shoot a wedding, portraits, cars, and even some macro shots since I got it. Every picture is crystal clear, bokeh is stunning, and the lens is built well enough. It's very heavy, but the pictures are worth it. If you're looking for L series performance in the most hand-holdable canon lense, this is it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Ryan
2' tall statue, low light, not touched up
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Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Lens Creep
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
Finally purchased this lens and upgraded from the old 17-85mm. After using this on a trip in Australia, I can say with confident that the old 17-85mm will not see much use.
Pro:
- Fast, F2.8 enables much faster autofocus
- Sharper images
- Possible to get Bokeh
Cons:
- Limited zoom, especially compared to the 15-85mm
- Bulky, rivals that of L lens
- Sometimes misfocuses object despite seeing the right fous point lit up (Not sure how much this is due to user error or the lens itself, debated in forums)
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I bought this lense as a gift for my wife. She has used the kit lense on her 40D without complaint, but recently commented that she wished she had a wider angle indoors. She is an amateur and I am a nothing so I can't give a technical review, but I can say that she LOVES the lense. She definitely appreciates the wider angle, but she's also commented multiple times on the difference in speed. Hope this helps!
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I did buy this lens for christmas and a i took many pictures in any condition. Exceed expectation specialy in low light. Not the L serie but it can be. With my 7D it's a good match. Money well spent, worth the price.
Cons: it doesn't come with a lens hood
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
This lens gives a really good wide selection of uses. I bought this with a Canon 60D and I'm loving it. I think it would make a perfect lens that would substitute for the stock lens that comes with the camera if your forego them.
The zoom and the image stabilizer is fantastic. As for the negativity, the cost was a factor, but after using it - it's worth the buck.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
Great "walking around" lense, definitely worth the investment.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Video
Comments about Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens:
I am extremely happy with this lens: very sharp images, very effective image stabilization.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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What's in the Box
- 77mm Snap-On Lens Cap
- Lens Dust Cap E (Rear)
- 1-Year Warranty
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