Product Description

Ultra-wide high performance zoom lens offering excellent image quality.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16190 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Canon
• Model: 8806A007AA
• Released on: 2003-08-14
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 1.10 pounds

Features

• EF17-40 MM 1:4.0 L USM

Manufacturer's Description
A new and affordable L-series ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that's ideal for both film and digital SLRs. Superior optics are assured by the use of three aspherical lens elements, in addition to a Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass element. Optical coatings are optimized for use with digital cameras. This lens focuses as close as 11 inches (0.28 m), and offers both Canon's full-time manual focus and a powerful ring-type USM for fast and silent AF. It has a constant f/4 maximum aperture, and offers the choice of screw-in 77 mm filters or a holder in the rear of the lens for up to three gel filters. Finally, it offers weather-resistant construction similar to other high-end L-series lenses.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Great bang for buck
Excellent lens if you want the following:

L Quality (top of the line build, optical and autofocus performance)
Weather Sealing (you need a UV Filter such as Hoya 77mm Pro1D Protector to complete the sealing)
Full frame compatability (incase you want to upgrade/allready have you)

Not so good if you want:

Something Cheap (although is one of the cheapest L lenses)
Something Light (well, light as the kit 18-55mm)
Something that won't draw attention
Soemthing for indoor low light situations (unless you are comfortable using flash) - get the 50mm f/1.8 or someting equal to or as fast as f/2.8

In conclusion, if you're thinking of spending top dosh on a wide/zoom lens , then you probably want to consider this one, but if you have cash to burn and can handle a little extra weight, go for the 16-35mm f/2.8 which is a stop faster (although sacrifices 4mm in zoom range)

The color, contrast, build quality, and autofocus speed with blow you away if you're stuck on the kit lens or if you've never used an L lens.

Great lens
Having recently moved to an eos 350d, I found that my 28-105 lens on a 1.6 x digital camera was not wide enough to be a "standard" lens. The 17-40L is just the lens I needed. Great quality and pictures. What is more - as I upgrade to a better camera (ie one with a 1 x 35mm equivalent) this becomes a wide angle zoom. I can also use this lens with my previous canon 35mm camera. Avoid the EF-S range - they dont work with full frame cameras.....

First lens I reach for when shooting landscapes
If you need a wide angle lens with superb build quality, weather resistance, great optics, superb colour and little distortion then buy this one.

I shoot a lot of landscapes, sometimes in harsh conditions like the English Lake district or French Alps, and need kit which will stand up to the abuse I give it. If I'm shooting landscapes then 99% of the time I reach for this lens, and if I'm climbing this is the only one I take. What more do I need to say?

I have also used this for group shots at weddings with great results (just ask the Bride!)

It's not light (but not really heavy as it's pretty simple with no IS), and not cheap by general standards (but cheap for an L series), but it does the job and does it very, very well.

I have noticed a little distortion at the very edges when close to the subject, but this is only to be expected at 17mm and for anyone with a crop sensor it probably won't be seen (I use a full-frame 5D). Other than that I have nothing but praise for this lens, and will get another (or it's direct replacement) if I ever kill or lose this one.