17-55mm f/2.8 **L** IS USM Lens

[Oren]

Are we going to see this one anytime soon? What do you think?


Or at least, will we get a 24-70mm f/2.8 L **IS** USM soon?





I really think that it's about time that we get at least one of these... that would be sweet []

[Tom Wertman]

I have the 17-55 2.8 and it is so close to a L lens I doubt Canon would see much of a market for a "perceived" upgrade. I shoot weddings with it and when comparing print IQ to the 24-105 f/4.0L which I also use, people can't see a difference.

[Oren]

Yeah, but I want the build quality and weather sealing of an L lens :P


(and the nice red line - I must admit it lol)

[Mr Chad]

Since no APS-C (EFS) body 30D, 40D, 50D etc. yet supports a true robust weather seal the L build treatment might be moot. If you really desire L in asimilarfocal length try the 16-35L or 17-40L.


I've used a 17-40L as my general lens for a long time on my 30D and then 40D prior to buying a 17-55 EFS. I currently use the 16-35L on my 40D from time to time. 9 out of 10 days it's very difficult to tell these 3 lenses apart in use - save for the constant type length of the L's. Of all 3 I think the 17-40L was actually my favorite, it's also the least expensive if you can forgo the stop.

[Matt P]

I want to see a 17-85 2.8 L. The 17-55 isn't long enough to match my 70-200, and the 24-70 or 24-105 aren't wide enough, and I don't feel like carying around (not to mention changing) more than 2 lenses.

[abadlovesong]

i'm with matt on this, i would love to see a 17-85mm f2.8, with better IQ than the current 17-85mm. But it probably won't happen, because a walk around lens, it would more than likely be too large and heavy. Then again, the 17-55mm isn't as heavy as the 24-70mm. So, it may be do-able. Heck, i'd even take a 17-85mm f4 constant aperture that performed as well as the 17-55mm in terms of image quality.

[Oren]

I of course I agree too, but it just sounds less possible.

[adam]

I want to see a 17-85 2.8 L. The 17-55 isn't long enough to match my 70-200, and the 24-70 or 24-105 aren't wide enough, and I don't feel like carying around (not to mention changing) more than 2 lenses.
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I'd much rather see an EF-S version of the 70-200 series...sorta like the Tokina 50-135 f/2.8, except without the CA and with IS and USM. I think Canon could make that lens with awesome image quality, and it would match up very well with the 17-55 f/2.8.


The problem is, while 17-85 is a great range, it is 5x zoom. The current state of the art in lens design doesn't really allow for a handholdable 5x f/2.8 zoom...MAYBE it would work at f/4, but even that's a bit of a stretch. The current EF-S 17-85 is a compromise lens...you get an ideal single-lens range for a crop body, but at the expense of variable aperture, sub-par wide-open performance, and noticable distortion.

[Jean-Francois]

I apply for EF-S 17-85 f/4 L constant and especially for an EF-S primes collection.





My 17-55 is great but the long end is short outside (or the short end [H]) and too much heavy for a confortable walk carried by the strap. I really prefer a few little prime barrels into my pockets. I tend to use it at 17 or 55.





But they will never be released. Prime's are reserved 24x36 market. Those 24x36 are definitely over marginned. 5-6x the price of a good APS DSLR. It's still too much.





For the 17-85 II (false L), it's still possible...

[Matt P]

Why would you want an EF-S 70-200? There are 4 amazing EF ones! You may be right about a 2.8 5x lens, but look how far lens tech has come in 5 years, 10 years ago who would have thought we could focus on a dime and stop camera shake all in a tiny lens.