Canon EF-S 17 - 85mm f4 5.6 IS USM Review at Ephotozine

Updated - Friday, 30th June 2006

Ephotozine has reviewed the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens which is designed exclusively for the 300D, 350D 20D and now 30D cameras and they write -

“I can’t help feeling that Canon have pushed the focal range a tad too far at the wide end of this optic because from the 20mm mark through to the 85mm end it is a cracking walkabout lens. It is only the widest few millimetres that let it down a touch. Having said that, with a little judicious work post processing images at that end, they are still very usable. The Image Stabilisation system is a boon in low lighting conditions and made pictures in those situations quite viable. For owners of the cameras that the lens will fit, it is a good addition to the camera bag.”

In summary, the positive points of the Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS USM are: Excellent resolution holds up throughout the focal range. IS system helps a lot in low light. The lens makes a good replacement for kit lenses The focal range ideal for a walkabout lens.

The negative points are: Distortion is bad at the widest settings and a little CA creeps in. Front lip is prone to damage. Hood is an optional extra.