Canon EF-S 17-55mm lens
Encyclopedia
The Canon EF-S 17–55mm 2.8 IS USM is a standard zoom lens
for Canon
digital single-lens reflex camera
s with an EF-S lens mount
. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length
of 27–88mm.
camera.
The fast
2.8 aperture, combined with 3-stop Image Stabilization, makes the 17-55 very useful in low light compared to an un-stabilized 3.5–5.6 Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens
, which is a frequent kit lens
, and thus the 17-55 is much more suited for hand-holding and available light photography. Newer versions of the 18-55 kit lens include 4-stop Image Stabilization, but remain slower aperture, partly addressing this concern.
when used without a hood
, and especially with low-quality photographic filter
s.
The 17-55 suffers from vignetting
at 2.8 of 0.5-1 EV
throughout the focal range.
Chromatic aberration
is a relative weakness at the wide end (at the edges and corners), but is quite low for a zoom in this range.
Some users have reported dust gathering inside the lens.
lens, but it has two UD (ultra-low dispersion) lens elements, which are largely reserved for L-series lenses, and some say that the 17-55 has comparable image quality to L-series lenses. Some regard the decision to not designate the lens as L-class as marketing-driven, but being EF-S it will not fit on a full-frame body—therefore, at least under current Canon marketing strategy, cannot be labeled L-series.
"The resolution figures are among the very best seen so far for an APS-C standard zoom lens."
The build quality is inferior to L-series lenses (plastic body, not magnesium alloy), though superior to the EF-S 17-85mm lens
.
, which is a cheaper kit lens
; the EF-S 17-85mm 4-5.6 IS USM
, which is midway between the 18-55mm and 17-55mm in some respects—depending on which version of the 18-55 one is comparing—and boasts a longer telephoto end; and the newer EF-S 15-85mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM
, which has similar build quality to the 17-55mm and the largest focal length range of the group.
The 17-55 is at times compared to the EF 17-40mm 4L USM
, which has similar image quality (despite the latter being L series and the 17-55 not being so designated), though the 17-55's faster aperture and IS make it more suited (by one stop) for hand-holding and available light photography. Also, it can be compared to the Canon EF 24–70mm lens, as they have the same maximum aperture, and when compared with from mounted on their equivalent cameras (full frame and crop) they too have a similar focal length. However, the IS system of the 17-55 is beneficial in lower light by reducing the amount of camera shake.
The EF 28-90mm
, though having corresponding full-frame equivalent focal length, is an inexpensive kit lens
and is not comparable to the 17-55mm, having slower aperture, a variable maximum aperture, lower image quality, and no image stabilization.
Zoom lens
A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements for which the focal length can be varied, as opposed to a fixed focal length lens...
for Canon
Canon Inc.
is a Japanese multinational corporation that specialises in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.-Origins:...
digital single-lens reflex camera
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
s with an EF-S lens mount
Canon EF-S lens mount
The EF-S lens mount is a derivative of the EF lens mount created for a subset of Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras with APS-C sized image sensors. It was released in 2003. Cameras supporting the EF-S mount are backward-compatible with the EF lens mount and, as such, have a flange focal...
. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length
35 mm equivalent focal length
In photography, the 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and film or sensor size...
of 27–88mm.
Praise
It is praised as "one of the best general/multi-purpose lenses available", and ideal for available light photography on a Canon APS-CAPS-C
Advanced Photo System type-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the Advanced Photo System "classic" size negatives...
camera.
The fast
Lens speed
Lens speed refers to the maximum aperture diameter, or minimum f-number, of a photographic lens. A lens with a larger maximum aperture is a fast lens because it delivers more light intensity to the focal plane, allowing a faster shutter speed...
2.8 aperture, combined with 3-stop Image Stabilization, makes the 17-55 very useful in low light compared to an un-stabilized 3.5–5.6 Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens
Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens 3.5-5.6 is a wide-angle to mild telephoto zoom lens for digital single-lens reflex cameras with an EF-S lens mount. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length of 28.8-88mm, and it is the standard kit lens on Canon's consumer DSLRs.There have been four releases...
, which is a frequent kit lens
Kit lens
A kit lens is a "starter" lens which can be sold with an interchangeable-lens camera such as a single-lens reflex camera. The kit consists of the camera body, the lens, and various accessories usually necessary to get started in SLR photography. A kit lens can be sold by itself; ie; not in a kit...
, and thus the 17-55 is much more suited for hand-holding and available light photography. Newer versions of the 18-55 kit lens include 4-stop Image Stabilization, but remain slower aperture, partly addressing this concern.
Criticism
This lens is widely regarded as being prone to flareLens flare
Lens flare is the light scattered in lens systems through generally unwanted image formation mechanisms, such as internal reflection and scattering from material inhomogeneities in the lens. These mechanisms differ from the intended image formation mechanism that depends on refraction of the image...
when used without a hood
Lens hood
In photography, a lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare....
, and especially with low-quality photographic filter
Photographic filter
In photography and videography, a filter is a camera accessory consisting of an optical filter that can be inserted in the optical path. The filter can be a square or oblong shape mounted in a holder accessory, or, more commonly, a glass or plastic disk with a metal or plastic ring frame, which...
s.
The 17-55 suffers from vignetting
Vignetting
In photography and optics, vignetting is a reduction of an image's brightness or saturation at the periphery compared to the image center. The word vignette, from the same root as vine, originally referred to a decorative border in a book. Later, the word came to be used for a photographic...
at 2.8 of 0.5-1 EV
Exposure value
In photography, exposure value denotes all combinations of a camera's shutter speed and relative aperture that give the same exposure. In an attempt to simplify choosing among combinations of equivalent camera settings, the concept was developed by the German shutter manufacturer in the 1950s...
throughout the focal range.
Chromatic aberration
Chromatic aberration
In optics, chromatic aberration is a type of distortion in which there is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same convergence point. It occurs because lenses have a different refractive index for different wavelengths of light...
is a relative weakness at the wide end (at the edges and corners), but is quite low for a zoom in this range.
Some users have reported dust gathering inside the lens.
Quality
The 17-55mm is not an L-seriesCanon l lens
An L lens is a line of SLR photography lenses made by Canon.L lenses are Canon's top-of-the-line lenses. The "L" officially stands for "Luxury", a reference to the lenses' high price and proclaimed build quality. The use of "ASPH" was common to notate aspherical elements throughout Canon's and...
lens, but it has two UD (ultra-low dispersion) lens elements, which are largely reserved for L-series lenses, and some say that the 17-55 has comparable image quality to L-series lenses. Some regard the decision to not designate the lens as L-class as marketing-driven, but being EF-S it will not fit on a full-frame body—therefore, at least under current Canon marketing strategy, cannot be labeled L-series.
"The resolution figures are among the very best seen so far for an APS-C standard zoom lens."
The build quality is inferior to L-series lenses (plastic body, not magnesium alloy), though superior to the EF-S 17-85mm lens
Canon EF-S 17-85mm lens
The Canon EF-S 17–85mm 4-5.6 IS USM is a standard zoom lens for Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras with an EF-S lens mount. The EF-S designation means it can only be used on EOS cameras with an APS-C sensor released after 2003. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length of...
.
Similar lenses
Unlike most other EF-S lenses, the 17-55mm does not have a direct equivalent in the range of traditional EF lenses. As a general purpose EF-S zoom lens, the alternatives to the 17-55mm are the EF-S 18-55mm 3.5-5.6Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens 3.5-5.6 is a wide-angle to mild telephoto zoom lens for digital single-lens reflex cameras with an EF-S lens mount. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length of 28.8-88mm, and it is the standard kit lens on Canon's consumer DSLRs.There have been four releases...
, which is a cheaper kit lens
Kit lens
A kit lens is a "starter" lens which can be sold with an interchangeable-lens camera such as a single-lens reflex camera. The kit consists of the camera body, the lens, and various accessories usually necessary to get started in SLR photography. A kit lens can be sold by itself; ie; not in a kit...
; the EF-S 17-85mm 4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 17-85mm lens
The Canon EF-S 17–85mm 4-5.6 IS USM is a standard zoom lens for Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras with an EF-S lens mount. The EF-S designation means it can only be used on EOS cameras with an APS-C sensor released after 2003. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length of...
, which is midway between the 18-55mm and 17-55mm in some respects—depending on which version of the 18-55 one is comparing—and boasts a longer telephoto end; and the newer EF-S 15-85mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 15-85mm lens
The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is a standard zoom lens for Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras with an EF-S lens mount. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length of 24-136mm. The EF-S mount was specifically designed for APS-C cameras....
, which has similar build quality to the 17-55mm and the largest focal length range of the group.
The 17-55 is at times compared to the EF 17-40mm 4L USM
Canon EF 17-40mm lens
The EF 17-40mm 4L USM lens is a wide-angle lens made by Canon Inc.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras. Other than the front element, it is sealed against dust and water, and features a diaphragm which remains nearly circular from 4 to 8.-Audience:The 17-40mm is the least...
, which has similar image quality (despite the latter being L series and the 17-55 not being so designated), though the 17-55's faster aperture and IS make it more suited (by one stop) for hand-holding and available light photography. Also, it can be compared to the Canon EF 24–70mm lens, as they have the same maximum aperture, and when compared with from mounted on their equivalent cameras (full frame and crop) they too have a similar focal length. However, the IS system of the 17-55 is beneficial in lower light by reducing the amount of camera shake.
The EF 28-90mm
Canon EF 28-90mm lens
The Canon EF 28-90 mm is a lens included as a kit lens with Canon EOS film cameras.The maximum aperture is 4 at 28mm, reducing to 5.6 at 90mm. When focused at 90mm this will create background blur for portrait photography....
, though having corresponding full-frame equivalent focal length, is an inexpensive kit lens
Kit lens
A kit lens is a "starter" lens which can be sold with an interchangeable-lens camera such as a single-lens reflex camera. The kit consists of the camera body, the lens, and various accessories usually necessary to get started in SLR photography. A kit lens can be sold by itself; ie; not in a kit...
and is not comparable to the 17-55mm, having slower aperture, a variable maximum aperture, lower image quality, and no image stabilization.