Product Description

Canon EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM Lens is possibly the best single lens to own with your Canon Digital Rebel SLR Camera. Equivalent to a 28-135mm lens, this new EF-S lens brings true wide-angle to tele coverage to EOS 20D, 30D, 40D and Digital Rebel shooters. It has Canon's Image Stabilization system, allowing safe hand-holding at speeds up to three stops slower than otherwise possible. And of course, it's optically optimized for digital SLRs. A ring-type USM means both fast and silent AF, as well as full-time manual focus when in the AF mode. Circular aperture design -- natural highlights, even stopped down two stops Non-rotating front element; lens length does not change during zooming EF-S lens mount -- exclusively for EOS 20D and Digital Rebel bodies Filter Size - 67mm Maximum Diameter x Length, Weight - 3.1 x 3.6, 16.8 ounces Only compatible with the 40D, 30D, 20D

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 9517A002
• Dimensions: 4.30" h x 4.50" w x 6.20" l, 1.05 pounds

Features

• 17-85mm standard zoom lens with f/4-5.6 maximum aperture for EOS digital SLR cameras
• Image Stabilization system reduces camera shake to extend use in low-light levels
• Aspheric element and 2 aspherical surfaces deliver excellent optical quality
• Ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) for superior autofocusing; 1.15-feet close focusing
• Measures 3.1 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches long; weighs 16.8 ounces; 1-year warranty

From the Manufacturer
Equivalent to a 28-135mm lens, this new EF-S lens brings true wide-angle to tele coverage to EOS 20D and Digital Rebel shooters. It has Canon's Image Stabilization system, allowing safe hand-holding at speeds up to three stops slower than otherwise possible. And of course, it's optically optimized for digital SLRs. A ring-type USM means both fast and silent AF, as well as full-time manual focus when in the AF mode.

Features

• Compact, lightweight design with a 5x zoom ratio -- 28 to 135mm equivalent
• Excellent optical quality: Aspheric element with two Aspherical surfaces utilized
• Close-focusing to 1.15 feet -- at 135mm, fills the frame with subject 3 x 4.4 inches
• Ring-type Ultrasonic motor for superior AF performance; allows full-time MF
• Image Stabilization extends the lens's usefulness in low-light levels
• Circular aperture design -- natural highlights, even stopped down two stops
• Non-rotating front element; lens length does not change during zooming
• EF-S lens mount -- exclusively for EOS 20D and Digital Rebel bodies

Customer Reviews

Great lens but expensive
I think this lens is great but it is pretty expensive especially if you're not an "advanced" amateur. I mean you have to be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you're really going to be able to tell the difference between like a Sigma generic lens versus paying the difference for a Canon lens. No doubt the Canon lens is better quality but are you really that "advanced" to be worth spending this kind of money on a lens?

My XTI everyday
Upgraded almost a year ago from the very average 18-55 kit lens that came with my XTI. Wanted more color, contrast and IS and the best autofocus I could find without being too spendy. USM on the 17-85 snaps to attention almost instantaneously, and the stabilization works great. Nothing worse than a lens that you have to wait on while it hunts to find focus, and although the f/4-5.6 is nothing to write home about, the IS helps compensate for the slow aperture when you need it the most.

I also have an EF50 f/1.4 for low light indoors, and an EF70-300DO for compact tele, but the 17-85 is what I keep going back to for general applications. IQ is really quite good and the range somehow just fits most composures I come across. Small and light, this EF-S lens is a perfect mate for a APS-C DSLR to use for everyday snaps.

I also bought (and sold) an EF24-104L, but the low end was always too tight, and the tele end wasn't far enough (great images though). Also considered the EF-S17-55 f/2.8, but eventually decided to save the dollars.

The 17-85 does show a little distortion and vigneting at 17, but easy to fix by 19 if that bothers you (not obvious enough to bother me). 20-85 is always really sharp. Did not really consider any 3rd party lenses, and this was the only Canon lens I could find with IS + USM + Range + IQ + Price. Doesn't seem prone to flare or CA. No dust or problems to report. Zooming is smooth without any creep. I keep a polarizer on most of the time since this is usually used outdoors.

Great images, great versatility
The Canon EF-S 17-85mm zoom lens is a great alternative to the 18-55mm kit lens. I use it on a Canon EOS Rebel XTi. It produces higher quality images and the greater zoom range is very handy. The auto-focus is very accurate and it's easy to manual focus as well. The image stabilization circuitry is great: I've shot pix from a moving cable car in San Francisco, panned, caught birds in flight, and captured moving surfers -- all without shake or blur. The 17-85mm zoom range (27-135mm on a camera with an APS-C sensor like the Rebel I use) gives you everything from wide-angle to medium telephoto in one lens. There are a lot of great photos to be captured within that zoom range. And you can capture them without carrying multiple lenses. In the high-priced world of camera lenses, it's a relative bargain, too.