Would you still buy the EF-S 17-55mm 2.8 IS USM?

Pepege wrote:

Recently I bought a Sigma Art 18-35mm 1.8 to improve the low light capabilities. But unfortunately it didn't work with DPAF on my 80D. A second copy had the same problems, so I gave it back with a heavy heart. It is such a nice, fast and optically great lens. Why can't they solve these annoying AF problems in their lenses...?

The only lens, that comes near to Sigma's 18-35 is Canon's EF-S 17-55 2.8. Introduced in 2006 I think it is due for an update. Or would you still buy it for new???

What would you like to have in an updated EF-S 17-55?

• Faster?
• 4-stop IS?
• STM or nano USM?
• Better sealing against dust?

Personally, I don't think Canon if offer something as fast as Sigma on their ASP-C lineup. But a mk II with improved IS and STM would be nice, wouldn't it?

I’ve been through the same thought process with the APS-C bodies. The only two fast “normalish” zooms I considered were the Sigma 18-35 and the EF-S 17-55. I never could pull the trigger on the EF-S 17-55 for some reason (but did own the slower EF-S15-85 for a while and loved that lens).

I tried the Sigma 18-35 Art a couple of years ago for my 7DII, but just could not get consistent AF results (OVF) no matter how many adjustments I made with the Sigma Dock. Returned it. BTW, It worked perfectly in Live View on my 7DII (first Generation DPAF) and the results were stunning. I tried the 18-35 again recently for my M6 and discovered what you discovered. Certain Sigma lenses do no work with the 2nd generation DPAF bodies...like the 80D. The 18-35 had “severe” backfocus on my M6, making it unusable. Returned it...again.

BTW, I’ve got 3 Sigma Art lenses (35, 50 and 85). The 50 and 85 focus perfectly on my M6 and 5D IV (in Live View).....both 2nd gen DPAF bodies. The 35 Art does not AF correctly (Severe back focus....unusable) on both my M6 and 5D IV in (Live View), but works perfectly in Live View on my 6D....and on the 7DII...which has first Gen DPAF.

Very odd behaviour of certain Sigma lenses and Canon’s newer DPAF bodies.  Canon seems to have modified their “secret sauce” in the new DPAF and Sigma can’t seem to correct for it via firmware updates on certain Sigma Art lenses....for some reason (hardware limitations?).   I always knew that AF via the OVF with these Sigma lenses could be problematic, but never suspected I’d see problems in Live View.

At least you have the nice 35 2.0 IS for wide aperture....low light.