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Should I get the 17-55mm IS USM lens?

Started Jun 6, 2015 | Questions thread
Euell Veteran Member • Posts: 5,724
Re: Should I get the 17-55mm IS USM lens?

Abu Mahendra wrote:

I wouldn't. That Canon lens is an aging lens, good five years ago when the options were fewer and sensors less dense. If you can live with the risk of focus inconsistency associated with Sigma and the absence of IS, I'd steer you to the Sigma 18-35/f1.8. Sharper at f/1.8 than the Canon lens at f/2.8. Mine suffers from focus inconsistency on 6x0D bodies, but I keep it because the optics are so exceptional. I'd then round off the top end with the new, $125 50/1.8 STM lens.

Alternatively, you can consider the 18-55STM kit lens, backed up by two fast primes, the 50 STM and the 35IS.

The 17-55 is certainly not a dated lens and is quite sharp enough for the 7d2, and certainly the 60d. The lack of IS on an all-purpose zoom, such as the Sigma, is a nonstarter. Moreover, while I am still considering the very sharp Sigma 18-35, the posts here indicate focus issues that can be a pain in the neck to address. No such problems with the 17-55. The 18-35 seems like a specialty lens to me, rather than a general purpose standard zoom.

 Euell's gear list:Euell's gear list
Sony RX100 Canon EOS 7D Sony a6500 Sony a7R III Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM +18 more
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