About
Reviews (5)
04 November 2010
Outstanding all around lens
3 of 3 found this helpful I started with a Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4 lens and thought it took good shots. However, after using on vacation for 10 days, I found that I had many shots that simply were not sharp, so when I returned home, the Sigma was also returned. However, I was sold on the utility of a walkaround lens in that range.
After doing quite a bit of research, it became clear that the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS lens was loved by everyone that reviewed it and used it. After I read a review that showed it consistently delivers sharpness equal to or better than most primes, I made the leap.
I have to tell you, this lens exceeded my expectations. The only reason I cannot get a sharp image is due to my own failing, not this lens. I can use it wide open and not have to worry about soft edges or other issues often noted when you use lesser lenses at their max aperture. Focus is fast and dead on and while the IS isn't quite as good as my 70-200, it is still terrific. Don't let anyone tell you you don't need IS with wider lenses, you do - at least with Canon's IS.
This is indeed my walkaround lens - great for landscapes and almost every other task not requiring a longer lens. The only reason to go to a prime is for a faster lens - for that, I have my eye on the Sigma 30mm f1.4.
Don't do what I tried to do and settle for less, especially if you have made the investment in a good camera (I have the 7D). Spend the money on a few good Canon lenses - especially zooms, and use Sigma/Tamron for primes and macros where they seem to do quite well.
04 December 2010
Awesome lens
This lens is quickly becoming my favorite. Here are the reasons why:
* on a 7D, provides 48mm field of view which is ideal for most indoor and outdoor situations - the 50mm Canon is just too long for indoors
* sharp in center at 1.4, super sharp all around above 2.0
* I may never need to use a flash indoors again with this lens. I have the Canon EFS 17-55 2.8 and I thought that was good enough for indoors, but this lens changed all that
* fast and responsive unless light gets really low
* at $395 (made offer to ebay retailer), it's just a great deal
So dismiss many of the reviews you see on Amazon and other places - instead, just go to Flickr and find the Sigma group for this lens and look at the pictures it takes. Let your own eyes convince you!
04 November 2010
Outstanding all around lens
I started with a Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4 lens and thought it took good shots. However, after using on vacation for 10 days, I found that I had many shots that simply were not sharp, so when I returned home, the Sigma was also returned. However, I was sold on the utility of a walkaround lens in that range.
After doing quite a bit of research, it became clear that the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS lens was loved by everyone that reviewed it and used it. After I read a review that showed it consistently delivers sharpness equal to or better than most primes, I made the leap.
I have to tell you, this lens exceeded my expectations. The only reason I cannot get a sharp image is due to my own failing, not this lens. I can use it wide open and not have to worry about soft edges or other issues often noted when you use lesser lenses at their max aperture. Focus is fast and dead on and while the IS isn't quite as good as my 70-200, it is still terrific. Don't let anyone tell you you don't need IS with wider lenses, you do - at least with Canon's IS.
This is indeed my walkaround lens - great for landscapes and almost every other task not requiring a longer lens. The only reason to go to a prime is for a faster lens - for that, I have my eye on the Sigma 30mm f1.4.
Don't do what I tried to do and settle for less, especially if you have made the investment in a good camera (I have the 7D). Spend the money on a few good Canon lenses - especially zooms, and use Sigma/Tamron for primes and macros where they seem to do quite well.