Product Description

To meet user demands for a fast EF-S zoom lens, Canon has specially designed a new lens with a large aperture of f/2.8 for select Canon Digital SLR cameras. The large circular aperture produces a shallow depth-of-field, creating background blur that draws attention to the photographic subject. The lens construction includes UD and aspherical elements, which deliver impressive image quality throughout the entire zoom range. Image Stabilizer lens groups shift to compensate for camera movement so that the image appears steady on the image plane, ensuring clear, crisp images, even in dim light. With a Ring-type USM, inner focusing and new AF algorithms, this lens achieves autofocus quickly and quietly, and with full-time mechanical manual focusing, manually adjusting the focus is possible even in AF mode.

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 1242B002
• Released on: 2006-03-31
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 5.00" w x 5.00" l, 1.50 pounds

Features

• 17-55mm wide-angle zoom lens with f/2.8 maximum aperture for Canon DSLR cameras
• AD and aspherical elements deliver impressive image quality through entire zoom range
• Image Stabilizer lens groups shift to compensate for image shake even in dim lighting
• Large circular aperture produces shallow depth of field; ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM)
• Measures 3.3 inches in diameter and 4.4 inches long; weighs 22.8 ounces; 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Designed to meet consumer demands for a fast EF-S zoom lens, the EF-S 17-55mm offers image quality on par with Canon's highly regarded L-series lenses. The lens features a large circular aperture that produces a shallow depth of field, creating background blur that draws special attention to the photographic subject. The lens construction, meanwhile, includes UD and aspherical elements that deliver impressive image quality throughout the entire zoom range. And thanks to the Image Stabilizer lens groups--which shift to compensate for camera shake--the image appears crisp and clear on the image plane, eve in dim light. Finally, the lens offers a ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM), inner focusing, and new AF algorithms to help achieve autofocus quickly and quietly, along with full-time mechanical manual focusing that makes it possible to manually adjust the focus even in AF mode. As with all Canon lenses, this lens carries a one-year warranty.

• Focal length: 17-55mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Lens construction: 19 elements in 12 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 78 degrees (at 30 feet) to 27 degrees (at 50 feet)
• Focus adjustment: AF with full-time manual
• Closest focusing distance: 1.15 feet
• Zoom system: 5-group helical zoom (front group moves 27mm)
• Filter size: 77mm
• Dimensions: 3.3 inches in diameter, 4.4 inches long
• Weight: 22.8 ounces

From the Manufacturer
The EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM offers image quality on a par with Canon's highly regarded L-series lenses. It has a large maximum aperture which, combined with higher shutter speeds, can minimize subject motion blur. Shallow depth-of-field separation of a subject from its background is much easier to achieve and the f2.8 maximum aperture allows a bright finder and extremely precise focusing with f2.8 compatible AF sensors. The internal stabilization has a sharpness benefit equivalent to a three-stop faster shutter speed, making this lens outstanding in low-light situations. Smaller and lighter than lenses of similar specifications, the EF-S 17-55 mm f2.8 IS USM lens has a 35mm equivalent focal length of 27-88mm and is compatible only with the EOS 30D, EOS 20D, EOS Digital Rebel XT, and EOS Digital Rebel SLRs.

Customer Reviews

Canon 40D + 17-55 2.8
OK. Last week I bought "kit" - Canon 40D with 17-55 2.8 IS

This tandem is superb, well built, looks great...but

My lens had front focus. Very strange, because I bought body with lens together in one box. When I was shooting portrait photo and set focus on model's eye, the focus was set on nose or blouse which was placed nearer.

Last friday I went to shop in which I bought this "kit" to change body/lens to get perfect photos. Unfortunately not a single one combination satisfied me. I've tried 3 17-55, one Tamron 17-50 2.8, one Canon 100 2.0 and 5 Canon 40D bodies. Every combination had front focus.

I returned "kit" and thought about buying Canon 5D with 24-70 2.8, but... I don't want any problems with focusing anymore (especially that this bodies/lenses aren't cheap)

Now I consider (and I'm sure) to buy Nikon D300, which has focus adjustment in body.

I don't say Canon is a "piece of s*" Perhaps I didn't had a luck, but it's really annoying go to shop and spending six hours there, trying different combinations and not a one is OK. Thank you very much CANON for such surprise.

Was a great lens for the price...
This lens was a great lens on a crop body (like the 30D) for the money. Even though it's not an "L" lens, it's still very sharp, and the 2.8 and IS are great for low light photography. The only downside was the build of the lens. It tends to break easily, and for no reason, but Canon is very good at fixing it quickly. Now, though, the price of the lens has just about doubled for some reason, and I definitely wouldn't recommend buying it while Amazon is selling it for $1700. Wait until it's less than $1000 again, because it's not worth it until then.

Too good a lens
I bought this lens upon recommendations and have never regretted despite its hefty price. This lens take such sharp images on my Canon 400D and even in low dim light, I could capture sufficient quality images without even employing a flashlight! It's now my everyday lens. Only setback for a lady-user like me, is the lens is rather heavy on my small 400D body. But then I just need to practice holding it real steady eh.