New Lens To Arrive Very Very Soon by Kevin Thai

So it’s been a long time coming, but I’ve been eyeing on a couple of lenses for a potential upgrade to my still very solid Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens, but choices were down to the two following;

1. Canon EF 17-40mm f4L
2. Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8

Time and time again, I see these two lenses being the most commonly asked question for those who wish to upgrade and replace their existing standard walkabout zoom lens. Even though both were each designed for specific purpose and in my opinion shouldn’t really be compared side by side I can do understand why others out there will consider looking at both of these, because one simply being a Canon ‘L’ luxury lens and automatically assume well it must be better.

The Canon EF 17-40L, really is better lens when comparing them on paper but not in everything, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 still is highly regarded by enthusiasts and still very much holds it’s own merit and weight in the photography world. Let me break it down for you in the pros and cons of each one and remember this is on a crop sensor camera like a xxxD or a XXD series of Canon cameras;

Canon EF 17-40mm f4L
Pros

1. Solid build and reinforced lens barrel
2. Weather sealed (you do need a 77mm filter at the front to complete the weather seal)
3. Internal zoom
4. Red ring, screams professional
5. Comes with a lens hood and carry bag

Cons

1. Although constant F4 aperture, it is still considered slow for indoor shooting, most of the time
2. It’s an EF lens, 17mm isn’t very wide for a crop sensor camera
3. No image stabilization
4. 40mm end focal range can be limiting most people

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8
Pros

1. Designed for crop sensor in mind
2. Constant aperture of f2.8 throughout the entire range
3. Does feel significantly heavier (of course this is subjective, but I like my lenses to feel a little weight to them as it gives a nice balance)
4. Usable 55mm end focal range, becomes an OK portrait lens

Cons

1. Very expensive for a non L lens
2. Does not come with a lens hood or carry bag
3. Limited to only crop cameras, really this isn’t an issue as you decide to move to full frame you can still sell this on it’s own value quite well
4. Is not weather sealed
5. Does tend to attract more dust
6. Not internal zoom

Now I am most definitely sure, the above pros and cons I’ve mentioned are each to their own and can be quite subjective when choosing an upgrade for a standard walkabout zoom for a cropped camera, when I listed out those advantages and disadvantages, it really made up my mind for my type of shooting and seeing as how I don’t think I will be moving to a full frame anytime soon and as most people would say to get the best possible lens for your camera right now and only ever worry about full frame compatibility if and when you move to full frame.

Of course please do not take this article as the end all and be all for anyone wanting to upgrade to either of these two lenses, just take what I’ve mentioned with a grain of salt and I highly recommend you visit your local camera store to try each one on your current camera body as you may find one feels just that much better than the other.

That is all for now. Just if you haven’t figured it out by now, I’ve placed my order for the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 lens.