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Testing 17-40 L refurbished

Started Oct 16, 2012 | Questions
Armando J. Rodriguez, Jr. Senior Member • Posts: 1,169
Testing 17-40 L refurbished

Hello!!

I just received an EF 17-40 L refurbished, which I bought from Canon Direct Store online. I want to test it as thoroughly as possible: Are there any known issues that some of these lenses might suffer from? Any specific test I should do on it? I will use it with a 5D-II. I will do a MF adjust, but is there anything else I should do?

Many thanks for your answers,

Armando.

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'Heavens declare the glory of God,' and I hope my pictures will too.
www.pbase.com/arodri3

 Armando J. Rodriguez, Jr.'s gear list:Armando J. Rodriguez, Jr.'s gear list
Canon EOS-1D X Canon 6D Mark II Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF 135mm F2L USM +4 more
ANSWER:
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM Canon EOS 5D
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(unknown member) Contributing Member • Posts: 650
Re: Testing 17-40 L refurbished
1

This lens is pretty solid, except for the extreme corners at 17mm the images should be sharp. One thing worth checking on all wide lenses is the centering. Is the image sharp and in focus on both sides? My 17-40 is a bit weaker on the right side, hard to notice unless you specifically look for it. A faulty lens is clearly soft on one side of the image. One can make 2 test shoots (AF manual) with the camera turned upside down in one shot. If one side of the image is less sharp and the weak side is the same in both images, one or some lens elements might be out of alignment.

selected answer This post was selected as the answer by the original poster.
HarryLally Senior Member • Posts: 2,692
Re: Testing 17-40 L refurbished
1

The 17-40L is a very solid lens, extremely well built and reliable and it doesn't need IS. It works seriously well with the 5DII, where its excellent microcontrast and subtle colours balance the slighty contrasty sensor of the 5DII. I prefer it to my 35 f1.4L on that camera.

The main thing to check is de-dentering which can be a problem with WA zooms as there are so many complex elements. My copy has very slight de-centering on the left side. I've never sent it in for correction because I've heard of so many people who sent them in only for the lens to return even worse!

It's a lovely lens; its only weakness is soft corners from 17-20mm at large apertures but there is no perfect zoom out there. You'll love it.

Michael

OP Armando J. Rodriguez, Jr. Senior Member • Posts: 1,169
Kreitmann and Harry, thanks!

Thanks to both of you for your answer. I will check the lens for de-centering.

I guess that is the main issue, but I will leave the thread open in case anybody else has any other suggestion. I have 14 days to test the lens, but today did not have time to do any photography.

Take care,

Armando.

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'Heavens declare the glory of God,' and I hope my pictures will too.
www.pbase.com/arodri3

 Armando J. Rodriguez, Jr.'s gear list:Armando J. Rodriguez, Jr.'s gear list
Canon EOS-1D X Canon 6D Mark II Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF 135mm F2L USM +4 more
wolfbane Senior Member • Posts: 1,724
Re: Testing 17-40 L refurbished

Hello,

Partly influenced by photozone.de's review I bought on to go with my 7d when I moved over to Canon two years ago. No complaints on any score. Marvellous lens. Alistair

Knipser63 Regular Member • Posts: 365
Re: Testing 17-40 L refurbished

Excellent lens, ultra-wide is always a matter of composition. Technically it should be alright when from Canon. Maybe not that sharp in the corners. Good micro contrast, I promise: you will have fun!

http://zoneofpictures.jimdo.com
5DII, 17-40; 70-200 4,0L; 50 1,4

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Nikon D780
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