Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Canon EOS (APS-C)

Sample Shots

Finally some image samples taken with the EOS 350D (RAWs converted via RSE 2006). Please note that it was a rather overcast day at the time.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples (=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.

Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Exposure Data: f/11.0 @ 1/200s
Size 2311x3471
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 17.0mm
Exposure Data: f/11.0 @ 1/200s
Size 3471x2311
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 17.0mm
Exposure Data: f/10.0 @ 1/200s
Size 2311x3471
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Exposure Data: f/9.0 @ 1/400s
Size 3471x2311
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Exposure Data: f/9.0 @ 1/1600s
Size 2311x3471
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Exposure Data: f/2.8 @ 1/3200s
Size 3471x2311
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 35.0mm
Exposure Data: f/13.0 @ 1/100s
Size 3471x2311
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Exposure Data: f/2.8 @ 1/250s
Size 2311x3471

Verdict

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS is not a perfect lens but it lives quite well up to the very high expectations of the user base. The resolution figures are among the very best seen so far for an APS-C standard zoom lens. The center resolution is nothing short of outstanding and the even borders can keep a very good to even excellent quality level. The distortion characteristic is quite typical for a zoom lens in this range (pronounced barrel distortions @ 17mm, moderate pincushion distortions @ 55mm) whereas CAs are unusually moderate. Unfortunately vignetting is a weak spot of the lens peaking around 1EV at f/2.8 throughout the range. It's not a show stopper but a little annoying nonetheless. The build quality of the lens is pretty good but in relation to the price tag of the lens Canon should have used a little less plastic - finally even the much cheaper EF 70-200mm f/4 USM L features a magnesium-alloy shell. Probably a marketing decision to keep professionals away from APS-C DSLRs. All-in-all the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS is clearly a level up from the other Canon standard zooms - a highly desirable lens though the pricing may rise a few question marks.

Optical Quality:    
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:
      
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