Canon 17-40 f/4 L

[anonymous-user]

I'm finally taking the plunge this week and buying a Canon 20D. Was going to go with the kit lens (17-85) but as I'm mainly into lanscape think the 17-40L might be a better way to go. Is the L lens really that much better?

[nighthawk]

Hi m8

I think you mean the EF-S 18-55 as the kit lens

I owned this lens when I had the 300D, just before I traded upto the 20D i bought the 17-40 L

The 2 lenses can't be compared, the image quality of the 17-40 is far superior. It also has a constant f4 throughout the zoom range and full time manual focusing.

The autofocusing on the 20D/17-40 combo is stupidly quick, where as the 18-55 non usm will hunt around a while.

All sounds fantastic on that front, but if it's for landscape work bear in mind the image crop, a 17mm doesn't equate to 17mm on a true film slr, it's more like 27.
so you may want to consider a wider lens for that work.

I have the 17-40 on my 20D as a general walkaround lens.




That was one of the first images from it,

[-DeaDLocK-]

You caught that on a 17-40?? That's one mighty brave (or hungry) squirrel!

[srider]

nighthawk said:

Hi m8 I think you mean the EF-S 18-55 as the kit lens

Nope, he means the 17-85 EF-S IS. I got one couple of weeks ago. The 35mm equiv focal range is 28-135, which makes it a perfect walkabout lens imho. I've only used it for one shoot, but I'm not sure about ultimate image quality, I'd say it's about the same as the 28-135 IS, not quite as good as the 17-40. The IS is excellent, it's the lastest version good for 2-3 stops.

For landscapes have you considered the 10-22 EF-S? I got one of them couple of weeks ago too, and I'm VERY impressed. It's equiv to 16-35mm, which is amazingly wide, and sharp across the frame. I'm very happy with it

[anonymous-user]

Thanks guys. Yes I did mean the 17-85 kit lens and not the 18-55.

Em, the 10-22!! Maybe some more research needed!!! Never easy this choosing of equipment. As I'm starting with Canon from scratch (all film equiipment is Minolta) I really have a blank canvas so want to make sure I buy with future in mind rather than buy cheaper now and have to upgrade later,

[V6GTO]

Don't forget the Sigma 12-24 DG HSM!



Martin.

[Bee_Jay]

The 10-22 is stunning, many think it should be L designated (it has UD elements etc.) - it works out at about 16-35 in 'full frame' terms.

For some recent landscapes taken with this lens and a 20D see here: www.pbase.com/baguleys/gallery/lake_district