EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM vs EF17-40 f4L

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Which would be the best lens for my 7D? I have an EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM but I have found it to be a bit lumpy at the 17 mm end this does not allow a slow smooth change of focal length, especially when using video. It is ok for 'ordinary' photography. I have taken it back to the shop and tried 2 others but they all seem to be the same. My other lens is a EF 70-200 F2.8L IS USM.
 
The 17-55 is a cracking lens and would compliment your 70-200 very well.
 
Both are good lenses but are rather different. If you want an absolutely bombproof lens for a round the world trip the the 17-40 is great. The 17-55 has better IQ, range and aperture but is quite a bit more fragile.
 
Both are good lenses but are rather different. If you want an absolutely bombproof lens for a round the world trip the the 17-40 is great. The 17-55 has better IQ, range and aperture but is quite a bit more fragile.

And the 17-55mm has IS - but on every other count I totally agree with you.

If I were making the choice - even for a long trip - I would take the 17-55mm. The 17-40mm is a cracking lens, but it's only benefit is build quality and while it is good - the 17-55mm is no wealking here either.
 
As I have posted here many times recently, I swear by the combo of my 7D and the 17-55 f2.8. It is a similar focal length to the 24-70 on FF.

f2.8 makes it useful in poor light or where you want a narrow depth of field, a focal length of 55mm is quite handy on a crop for portraits, 40mm is a little narrow, and the IS allows you to hand hold and slower speeds than normal.

I don't have any experience of the 17-40 L, but the build quality of the 17-55 is above that of most FE-S lenses.

Steve
 
they are two totally different lenses... and the 17-55 has f/2.8 and IS... a combination to die for!
 
Another +1 for the 17-55/2.8 IS - I used this combo on my 7D and it was an absolute peach. It was my most used lens and I loved it. I would take the 17-55 over a 17-40 for the 7D any day. It was sharp as hell and worked a treat in low light. The IS was a real help - A great lens.
 
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