Canon 17-85 IS alternatives???

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thompo

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Neil Thompson
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Hello

Currently pondering wether to order my 40d body only or with the lens.

Lens is costing approx £200 when bought as the kit. But ive heard varying reports from its excellent and sharp to its slow and not that sharp :(

Ive got the higher range covered by a 70-300 plus a few oldskool m42 MF lenses 50/85/135/200 + a 2x extender if req.

So im looking something around £200 with better IQ than the 17-85 maybe wider than 20mm upto somewhere upto 50mm. Just as a general purpose walkabout lens with a bit of Landscape useage.

Any recomendations or just stick with the 17-85 for this price range?

Cheers
 
The 17-85 IS USM is a fine lens and came with my 40D, the lens was "unboxed" so I couldn't get cash back on it in Dec so they lopped of the discount anyway. Certainly way better than the kit lens which is an 18-85mm but non IS and with a nasty plastic mount.
 
Have to say that mine is very good too. I almost dismissed it before even trying it but glad to have kept it following some iffy reports.
 
I have a love hate relationship with mine!

It is certainly capable of excellent results, but on the flip side, its not a very forgiving lens either, so minor mistakes from the user seem worse on this lens than my others (hope this makes sense!). I do find it a bit soft - nothing that cant be fixed in PP mind. I guess what Im trying to say is that you have the potential for great pictures with this, but a bit of effort is required - get the sweet spot, sharpen up in photoshop and you wont be disappointed. However, you may well despair at some of the out of camera results (epecially if you bang away on auto).

Eventually, I can see myself replacing it, but Ive kicked around numerous alternatives and nothing has grabbed me yet. I can find nothing in my price range, that offers this range and IS. I briefly considered the Sigma 17-70 but I think when I finally make the move, I'll probably invest in some L glass. That wont be happening anytime soon!
 
Buy a faster lens. Sure IS is great but with a larger aperture it will be a more flexible companion. Something like a Tamron 17-50f2.8 or if you really want to splash, get the excellent Canon 17-55 f2.8IS
 
Not planning on splashing that much lol.

currently got the sigma 17-70 (2.8-4.5), 18-50 (2.8) and the 18-200 os in the running, dont really need the 200 reach but it would be versatile.
all seem to be rated higher than the 17-85 though most reviews i can find are outdated by a year or 2 maybe they have been producing better ones since then

will have to have a look at the tamaron :)
 
I've got the 17-85 lens and before purchasing this about a month ago, I read numerous reviews all reccomending this lens. I had intended to get the 18-55 as a kit lens but the reviews were less than favourable to say the least!

Only had the 17-85 for a month but no issues so far.
 
The 18-55 is not the same as the 18-50 (Sigma I guess)?

The 18-55 is a kit lens that is not all that great. OK but not great.

The Sigma 18-50 f2.8 is nice as is the Tamron 17-50 f2.8.

The 17-70 f2.8-4 gains some magnification but at the expense of a variable maximum aperture.

I like fast lenses with constant apertures. Makes metering easier and when you zoom your shutter speed won't change.

Cheers
JD
 
I can, unfortunately, not agree with Chewy ^ and I mostly do.

I have had my 17-85 for nearly three years and I cannot give it a raving review.

It has an adequate focal range yes. Only thing is, from 17-24 mm (the wide end) it distorts horribly.

Also at the long end but to a lesser degree.

It is not a "fast" lens, eg f/2.8 or so but you can get good results with it all the same - exposure-wise.

As a general walkabout lens it is acceptible - provided that you don't photograph people with it.

I have also lately discovered more and more dust behind the front element. This is to be expected, I suppose, as the lens does extend when zooming. Bit of a pain though.

Before you commit - and if possible - test one to see if you can live with the shortcomings of this lens and whether it suits your type of photography.

HTH!:thumbs:
 
Hi folks,

Decided to go for the 17-85 kit in the end, buying from HK so no try before you buy unfortunately.

im thinking i can try it out, if i like it ill keep it and if not i can sell it on and wont really lose any money on it. Which would fund a change to a different lens :)

Hopefully get to play with it on friday lol

Cheers
 
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