fantastic optics, very out of date packaging

after going through 18-135 STM, both 18-55 STM variant and 15-85 zooms for my crop camera and getting increasingly frustrated by their optical shortcomings (overall lack of detail of any 18-55 and serious decentering on my 15-85) I decided to take a plunge and try the bulky 17-55/2.8. it's a lens for my cycling kit along 80D and 10-18, so weight and size especially are quite important, so I was quite anxious if this has a chance of working for me.

turns out it does. size wise it is pretty big but I got used to it. overall weight is OK, balance with 80D body is a little front heavy. I would like it to be less, but it is what it is.

now for the optics... simply stunning. with micro adjustment (+3 W to +6 L on my 80D) it's beauifully sharp and most importantly: very even. not an L-level even, but beyond what any EF-S did for me. and this is a zoom that achieves detail level on par to good prime on a 24Mpix crop body.

past the sharpness: bokeh is very decent (pretty much no reason to own EF 50 STM if you have 17-55), good colour balance, little distortions, not much in a way of flare...

where the lens feels old-school is it's mechanic contruction. zoom ring operation is everything but smooth, lens barrel feels a little wobbly while zoomed out. and the lack of zoom lock doesn't really help for safety of the lens when walking/cycling. I solved it old school (bought a Lens Band as we used to do those things 15 years ago ) which is not most convenient but sufficient.

bottom line: it really is the best standard zoom for APS-C Canon, and the optics designed in the age of 8Mpix bodies is still magic on 24Mpix bodies, which is quite a feat. if you're OK with the size/weight, then it is an amazing combo with modern 7D/xxD body

akustykmagmanetpl wrote:

bottom line: it really is the best standard zoom for APS-C Canon, and the optics designed in the age of 8Mpix bodies is still magic on 24Mpix bodies, which is quite a feat. if you're OK with the size/weight, then it is an amazing combo with modern 7D/xxD body

This has been well known since 2006. It has long been considered that it should have been designated an L lens except for sealing and being EF-s. It was discussed heavily over a decade ago, I'm surprised it's not well understood now.

Croomrider wrote:

akustykmagmanetpl wrote:

bottom line: it really is the best standard zoom for APS-C Canon, and the optics designed in the age of 8Mpix bodies is still magic on 24Mpix bodies, which is quite a feat. if you're OK with the size/weight, then it is an amazing combo with modern 7D/xxD body

This has been well known since 2006.

I think the part about the lens performing great on 24Mpix hasn't really. and before I bought the lens it was one of the open question that I very much failed to answer it with those online reviews pretty much all dating back to 8-10Mpix cameras.

It has long been considered that it should have been designated an L lens except for sealing and being EF-s. It was discussed heavily over a decade ago, I'm surprised it's not well understood now.

you're obviously right on most points, but a decade in digital sensor evolution is still a lot, and also a 10+ year old lens may not perform the same as the out-of-the-box one. if you're considering 17-55/2.8 today, you're not very likely be buying new one, but rather lens that already has some years of usage. so there will be a question how the lens that is not L holds in terms of mechanics too (heck, even L lenses can show some trave of wear, mine 70-300L does for sure).

so yeah, I'm not sure how my quick review is relevant today, ie. how many people are still considering 17-55 nowadays. but for someone looking for one 2022 AD those questions about mechanical durability and optics on 24Mpix will be very valid. and difficult to answer with reviews using 20D.

Thanks for your review. I wondered as well if it still held up with newer high MP sensors after reading the reviews from its original release era.

I agree with you regarding the quality of photos from the EF-S 17-55.  I first used a borrowed on on a photo safari to Namibia with images from my 7D and then purchased my own copy, which I use on my 7DII and T8i.  I am always pleased with the IQ from this lens.   The fast f2.8 aperture is nice to have as well.