Product Description
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. 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

________________________________________________________________

Product Reviews:

   
Great, but not perfect, March 29, 2006
Reviewer: B. Greenstone

This lens is great, but it's not quite perfect. Here is my pro/con list: PROS: 1) Great range from wide angle to telephoto! 2) Image Stabilization works very well (not great, but well) 3) Sharp pictures. CONS: 1) Severe chromatic aberration when in wide angle zoom, but nothing that Photoshop's RAW importer couldn't easily fix. 2) Heavy lens. 3) Stabilization drinks battery juice. 4) Overpriced, especially since it doesn't even come with a lens hood or case. However, I bought mine new for $500 from 47th Street Photo. That was the best price I found. So, overall, this lens is great and I recommend it despite it's minor flaws.
________________________________________________________________

        
 Great lens!, March 19, 2006
Reviewer: Whoozifritz
Okay, this is not a review by a professional. I'm just an amateur, and a pretty new amateur at that. But I shot with this lens on a borrowed camera and loved it. I used a Canon EOS 20d. This lens has a great autofocus motor- fast and almost every time focuses just right. The zoom is smooth and easy to operate. Image stabilization works great, I shot sixty three pictures and about two were slightly shaky. Aperture is not very wide, but thats okay by me because I like large depth of field.
This lens is perfect for an interested amateur. Or a professional like the one I borrowed it from. I borrowed the camera too... but anyway, I would have no doubts about buying this lens for myself.
Like I said, I'm only an amateur so forgive me if i left out anything important.
________________________________________________________________

          
Produces professional quality shots, March 2, 2006
Reviewer: ksrp
I just sold pictures to a very, very well-known national magazine to accompany a travel story. Picture editors are a very choosy and discriminating lot. My lens? The EF-S 17-85mm. Enough said.

It is not the world's greatest lens but will be perfect for 99% of users.
________________________________________________________________

          
Overpriced but if it's what you need..............., January 13, 2006
Reviewer: S. J McCartin

I've had a Rebel (original) for more than a year, got my 20D about 6 months ago. Been using the kit lens 17-55 mostly to shoot karate with flash, this works fine unless the subject is on the other side of the gym where there isn't enough high end magnification with the kit lens. This lens has been getting mixed reviews since it came out, some hate it, others love it. I suppose that I have yet to see anything I "hate" about it but I do agree that the price is really high. The thing about these lenses is that Canon (as they've done in other areas with their digital camera line) doesn't sell communication protocals so others can make lenses that work correctly with their bodies, they do their best to maintain a monopoly which means if you need this lens range it's about the only game in town. Third party lenses are all reverse engineered and may not work on future bodies and generally focus more slowly (with the exception of sigma XT which are just about as expensive as real Canon glass).

I've only had a little chance to shoot with this guy but so far I've got no complaints, unlike my kit lens I find this guy focuses better in one of the AI focus modes than in single shot mode (only the 20D has multiple focus modes). I don't agree with the folks that say color saturation and contrast are bad...I just don't see that.

If you're wealthy enough to be able to replace this lens with several bodies and fixed lenses then of course those will be sharper. I've also got the 28-135IS which is a fantastic lens but doesn't have enough low end when I'm shooting action occuring right in front of me. So far I like this lens, as I shoot more with it I might find things I don't like but if you need this range it's really the only game in town. Most reviews recommend a hood, which should come with it at this price, because of the wide angle you need a "flower petal" hood and you can get them on ebay for around 8 bucks generic instead of $30.00 for canon brand (what a rip for a hunk of plastic). You also want to get yourself a UV filter for it first thing, that guy protects your lens and also improves color in my experience.

I do find this is a slightly "darker" lens than the kit lens so you either have to adjust in software or kick your exposure up a little if you're like me and like heavy saturation. I like the range this lens offers, it's perfect for your typical basketball sized gymnasium so you don't have to use the "sneaker-zoom" any more than necessary.

   Read more Product Reviews