Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Reviews

Jul 27th, 2006jeffchicag

Priced Paid
$450

Product Understanding
Good

Time Owned
More than a year

Fast AF on my 20D, USM is pretty quiet too. The IS does work pretty well. Optically a bit weak at wide angle, and sometimes focus seems tweeky at full telephoto. Best results seem to be from about 24-70 on the zoom scale.
Jan 23rd, 2008PHo

Priced Paid
Not Specified

Product Understanding
Average

Time Owned
Less than a year

The EF-S 17-85 is a lens with a high zoom-range, USM and an image-stabilizer.

The IS is working fine. I shot sharp pictures with 1/13 shutter speed in the whole zoom-range which is quite amazing.

The USM works precise, fast and quite.

The optical quality at 17mm is terrible. I would call it useless. You can see strong barrel-distortions.

The build-quality seems OK but is poor compared to solid-rock lenses like Tokinas 12-24mm or Sigmas 30mm lens.

The usage of a polarizer is no problem.

It's a pity that Canon charges extra for a lens screen.

As a conclusion: this lens does not seem to be outstanding. It's an all-round-zoom with all it's disadvantages.

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