Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR’s

October 3rd, 2009 Canon SLR Expert Posted in Canon SLR Digital Cameras | 3 Comments »

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR's

Manufacturer: Canon
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List Price: $599.99
Sale Price: $449.95
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Product Description

With its effective focal length range of approximately 16-35mm in 35mm format, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is a remarkable lens with outstanding image quality that will take your photography into new dimensions and areas of dramatic expression.The super-wide zoom not only gives you the freedom to get exactly what you want in the shot, it dramatically alters perspective to allow for dynamic expression. The lens allows you to get extremely close to subjects, exaggerating the difference in size between a near object and its background. Creative photographers can use this phenomenon to create excellent separation between subject and background for a strong sense of presence, or for a pan-focus effect with everything from foreground to background sharply in focus.Exceptionally light and compact for its focal length range, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM also has an incredibly close minimum focusing distance of just 24cm.A ring-type USM works in concert with the camera to provide super-fast, precision auto focusing and predictive tracking - with full manual override available at any time.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. An exclusive optional lens hood can further reduce the incidence of flare.A circular aperture provides a pleasing background blur when shooting with a wide aperture; ideal for creating a sense of depth and getting your subject or model to stand out from the background.

Product Details

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

Video Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Skip the kit lens buy this one instead

Review Date: January 25, 2007

Reviewer: Ogen Perry, Los Altos Hills, CA USA

After my initial disappointment with the kit lens that came on my Rebel Xt I first bought and fell in love with the 70-300 DO lens, which I have also reviewed. That gave me a taste of what a decent Canon Lens can do. It was not long before I bought the 17-85 IS lens and gave away the kit lens to make sure I would never see it again.

Not only is this a quality lens -- much sharper than the 18-55mm -- but the IS feature will improve your low light pictures regardless of your ability (unless of course you always use a tripod). You will find yourself taking shots (indoors especially) that were simply not possible with the kit lens.

Because this lens will zoom to 85mm (equivalent to 136 mm on standard 35mm cameras) it makes a great carry anytime lens for many situations. Of course, it is significantly heavier than the kit lens but the quality is well worth it.

You should note that the picture that shows up on Amazon is a bit misleading. The item pictured is certainly the correct lens but the picture is a bit squashed making it look much shorter than it really is. The lens measures 4 inches when not extended.

Finally, if buying this lens, do yourself a favor and, at the very least also buy a UV-filter. Note that the filter size if 67mm which is bigger than the one on the kit lens.

Great Lens that can be had for less than MSRP

Review Date: January 7, 2005

Reviewer: Speedi, Cumming, GA United States

I purchased a 20D 18-55mm Kit after selling my Digital Rebel on short-notice. I then turned around and ordered the 17-85mm IS lens and I will say that the reviews are correct.

While the lens does not take you to realms that the L Series glass would take you, the Image Stabilization, wider range, and better clarity makes this lens, in my opinion, the perfect "leave it on the camera" lens. The 17-85mm IS lens is MUCH heavier than the standard 18-55mm lens and the construction certainly feels worth $500 or so versus $100 of the 18-55mm kit lens.

As soon as I got the lens, I put it on the 20D and took some quick pictures both inside and outside the house. I reviewed the pictures and noted that this lens has less trouble indoors with lower lighting, etc.

In the end, the lens is a perfect mate for the 20D or Digital Rebel, alike, as an all-around, leave-it-on-the-camera lens.

Best single lens to go with a 20D or 30D

Review Date: July 6, 2006

Reviewer: Freeman, Ranger, Georgia, USA

If you are only going to buy one lens for your 20 or 30D then buy this lens. I haven't seen a better general purpose lens out there.

The EF-S 17-85mm takes great photos, especially in an action oriented situation where you need to run around a lot and get a variety of different shots at different distances.

Some have complained that the lens is overpriced. I agree that for the price, it would have been nice to get a hood and carry bag thrown in, but I can say that Canon has impeccable warranty service. I got sand inside my lens and the autofocus quit while I was shooting photos of military helicopters landing in Iraq.

I got the lens repaired and shipped back to me within 30 days - in Baghdad in the middle of a war. I was able to speak to a human tech fairly easily and they even replaced something I clearly broke through heavy use that wasn't covered under warranty. The repaired lens works perfectly.

If you're looking for a reasonable alternative on a budget try this lens: Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Bear in mind that if you have issues and you're using non-Canon lenses on a Canon body, the support you can get from Canon will be limited.

A Great walk-around lens for enthusiastics

Review Date: January 11, 2006

Reviewer: M. Srinivas, Hyderabad, India

This lens is a quality upgrade from the kit lens. If you are a Digital Photography beginner/ensthusiatic and want a single walk-around lens,look no further. At 17mm it has barrel distortion and some chromatic abbresions which can easily be corrected in photoshop or PTLens (freeware) with just one click of your mouse and should be over looked in favour of many other advantages this lens has to offer like:
1.Good Range upto 85mm.
2.Sharp images
3.Good color & Saturation
4.Light weight
5.Not expensive when you consider that you need 2 differnt lenses to replace this lenses focal range
6.Saves you the pain of changing the lenses.
7.Image stabizer which leads to sharper images
8.Can capture very sharp portriats with blurred back background and
9.Decent Macro capability
Before buying this lens one should visit http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d and look at the photos taken by Phil Askey with this lens.If you know how to handle your digital camera then you can expect to get quality pictures similar to the ones taken by Phil Askey with the 17-85mm lens.

Very good lens but has some barrel distortion at 17mm

Review Date: May 11, 2006

Reviewer: Cypress Texas, Cypress Texas

I got this lens to replace the kit lens that came with my Canon EOS 30D. This lens is definitely a more "substantial " lens than the kit lens. Even though the outer housing is plastic, it has a metal mount and seems very durable and sturdy. The IS really helps to improve the image quality induced by my unsteady hand. The USM is very fast and quiet. I have read accounts of this lens not being able to lock on, but I have not had any issues with it in varying (including low) lighting conditions. I know the lens supports FTM focus, but I have not tried it yet. I like the focal length range on this lens. At 17mm even with the 1.6x multiplier, the angle is very wide. The only drawback to this lens for me is at 17mm there is significant barrel distortion. My test shots my next shot was at 24mm and the distortion was completely gone at this focal length. It's not a showstopper though since it is easily corrected in Photoshop. Of all the lenses I plan to get, (Sigma 30mm 1.4, Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II, and the Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM), this will most likely be the lens I keep on the camera most of the time, using the others as opportunities warrant.

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Tags: 1785mm, canon, digital, f45.6, image, lens, slrs, stabilized

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Anonymous Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLRs | Canon SLR Digital Cameras…

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…

newswala.net Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 10:15 pm

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR’s | Canon SLR Digital Cameras…

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR’s

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