Canon 17-40mm f4/L USM

[tims]

Specifications:
LensFocal Length & Maximum Aperture
17 - 40mm; 1:4
Lens Construction
12 elements in 9 groups
Diagonal Angle of View
104° - 57° 30'
Focus Adjustment
Inner focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance
0.28m / 0.9 ft.
Zoom SystemRotating type
Filter Size
77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight
3.3" x 3.8", 1.1 lb. / 83.5 x 96.8mm, 500g


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I plan to match it with a Canon 40D and use it for landscapes. I'd greatly appreciate any feedback, photos or alternatives in the $700 range.

[studio206]

Sigma
Tamron
eBay.

:-)

[Adaptive]

I think for $700 that lens looks promising.

Canon is probably going to be sharper and have better build quality over sigma and tamron.
I know tamron has a couple lenses that are comparable to canon lenses.

If you are not familiar with ebay don't trust it.
There are lots of nigerian scammers on there now.
They say they send payment but dont really do it.
Lot of shady stuff going on there...

[studio206]

if i remember correctly, the sigma lens actually rates higher than the canon for this focal length. and when you are looking at sigma and tamron's high end lenses, their build quality is actually very good and cost less than canon.

eBay is a good place to look for new/used lenses. just be careful and pay attention to who you are buying from. i have never had a problem shopping on ebay. and if ebay was such a dangerous place to shop, the site would of been shut down years ago.

[savona]

I have this lens and I am VERY happy with it. I will say I have never used any of the tamrons or sigma lenses is this focal range, so I really can not compare.

I will say that the 2 Sigma lenses and 1 Tamron that I owed focused like my grandmothers return trip from the toilet. I loved the sharpness and build quality of each of these lenses, but the much slower focusing ruined me from have a good experience.

My opinion is.. If you can afford buy the canon, if its not in your budget be happy with a sigma or tamron which will def give you comparable images, even if it takes a couple seconds longer to focus.

[Adaptive]

if ebay was such a dangerous place to shop, the site would of been shut down years ago.

Just like craigslist right?

[tims]

if i remember correctly, the sigma lens actually rates higher than the canon for this focal length.

Would that be the Sigma DC 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5?

[Scott Myler]

I have this lens. It is a fantastic lens. The color and clarity are what you would expect from a Canon L-series lens. You can find it for less than $700 and it's totally worth it.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

L lenses are always fantastic, for sure. However, I personally just can't be limited by an f/4 lens. As long as you're putting it on an APS-C camera, I would invest a bit more and check out the 17-55 2.8 IS. Very nice lens, indeed.

A couple of my favorites from this lens: (these were on a 30D)

[Adaptive]

This is true, f4 isn't the most desirable for most of us.
But for landscape photography you will rarely be at f/4 or have a need to go any wider even in low light situations..