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Customer Reviews for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
EF-S lens designed for professional use on APS-C type cameras
Close focus to 1.2 ft.
Fast ring-type USM, internal focusing mechanism, and new AF algorithms
f/2.8 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization combine for excellent low light ability
Average Customer Rating:
(50 Reviews) 49
Rating Snapshot (50 reviews)
5 stars
28
4 stars
15
3 stars
4
2 stars
1
1 star
2
40 out of 50(80%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Review 1 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: Lurcus
Location: New York, NY
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Very good and quite bad...
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:May 20, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus, image quality, stabilizer
Cons: Poor build quality
I've hade this lens on my second body (7D) for nearly one year and I still think that's the best APS-C standard zoom on the market, as far as optical performances and focal range are concerned. Distortion at shortest focals is an issue and corner sharpness wide open is not impressive at all, but that's to be expected considering the kind of lens. What you wouldn't expect from such a lens, considering its price, is the poor built quality. It's not terrible, it's just not in line with the price. Same thing for the expensive hood, sold apart. I really hope for a "Version II" with a better built quality.
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Review 2 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: mel
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Casual User
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Badass but dusty
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 8, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images, quiet, light, low lighting
Cons: Poor build quality, dusty
This lens is really great, it's super fast and quiet even in low lighting. Portrait are beautiful less noise then my old lens. I fell in love with this lens after upgrading it from my EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. It doesn't have the zoom range as the EF-S 18-200mm and a lock, but it's lighter. The build quality is bit similar. The EF-s15-55 get really dusty inside easily and fast though which I don't like. I would love to see an update of this lens.
L build quality.
Longer zoom.
Lock
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM & EF24-70mm f/4L IS USM Features.
Longer zoom.
Lock
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM & EF24-70mm f/4L IS USM Features.
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Review 3 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: KennyDNY
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Outstanding Lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 6, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
I read all the negative on this lens but after carefully weighing my options, I purchased it and I have to say, I'm happy I did.
Let me say first that it should be obvious that any zoom lens will have dust issues as they get older. Pumping the focal length in and out will carry dust into the lens body. It's cant be helped. If there was some unfortunate folks that got a lens that didn't live up to the Canon name, well that's why we buy from reputable sources, warranties.
All and all I'm ultra pleased with this lens, wishing there were more constant aperture, internal focus , fast lenses in the line up.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: Rj
Location: Columbus Ga
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Good Buy
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:October 5, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images, works well in dim light
Cons: lack of resitance of focus ring, lack of weather resistance
Having used this lens for over a year as a primary go to lens
I find that it has it's place . i also own the 70-200mm f2,8is mk 1
i use this lens every chance i can. you have to compare apples for apples... the dif in a L lens well what can you say it's a L lens ....that being said this lens has nice weight and balance the manual focus ring is quite sensitive but after repeated use its managable The auto focus is fast enough to perform as built.
i use this for weddings , events , portriats product and it always serprises me when i see my images on screen . the color capturing of this lens is wounderfull. I am never left without enough color detail . because of the light weight, operating without (IS) you have to really look very very hard to even notice any camera shake .which helps a lot in very dim light arenas Somtimes the focal point would fool you but that could user error at times . for the money if canon would just make it water resistant give the focus ring a do over like adding just a tweek of resistance this lens would feel more expensive and make you feel good with the cold cash your layin down ..
although i would love a 24 - 70 mk2 and its fabulas glass for another k which also is in another class , useing this on the my 7d's with it's crop sensor give 's an equal range in those tight locations . I just love my 70-200mm which is in a whole nother class also . for the money, the wounderfull color in the images , and features. if you own a crop sensor camera this lens needs to be in the top five lenes in your bag
I find that it has it's place . i also own the 70-200mm f2,8is mk 1
i use this lens every chance i can. you have to compare apples for apples... the dif in a L lens well what can you say it's a L lens ....that being said this lens has nice weight and balance the manual focus ring is quite sensitive but after repeated use its managable The auto focus is fast enough to perform as built.
i use this for weddings , events , portriats product and it always serprises me when i see my images on screen . the color capturing of this lens is wounderfull. I am never left without enough color detail . because of the light weight, operating without (IS) you have to really look very very hard to even notice any camera shake .which helps a lot in very dim light arenas Somtimes the focal point would fool you but that could user error at times . for the money if canon would just make it water resistant give the focus ring a do over like adding just a tweek of resistance this lens would feel more expensive and make you feel good with the cold cash your layin down ..
although i would love a 24 - 70 mk2 and its fabulas glass for another k which also is in another class , useing this on the my 7d's with it's crop sensor give 's an equal range in those tight locations . I just love my 70-200mm which is in a whole nother class also . for the money, the wounderfull color in the images , and features. if you own a crop sensor camera this lens needs to be in the top five lenes in your bag
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: Hari
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 16, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
Cons: Poor build quality
Excellent carry around lens with sharp picture and fast focus. IS is excellent and probably the only f2.8 lens in this range. Dust creeping into the lens is an issue though and needs to be watched carefully.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: ak troutbum
Location: Anchorage Alska
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Versatile very sharp lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 3, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
Have used this lens for approx. 4 years. Most of my other lenses are "L" types, it has produced results that are equivalent to those expected from an "L" lens. I use it for indoor large group social activities, both with and w/o flash--good depth of field for both folks close to the camera and those farther away. I also use it for flowers and'/or still life subjects where a macro is just too confining. It is also superb for scenic work here in Alaska and the Canadian Rockies. I would take it w/ me for my fly fishing but it is just too heavy w/ a fly rod!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: real07
Location: Birmingham, UK
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: Less than 1 year
Product replacement: No
happy :)
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 23, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
Cons: Poor build quality
Hello there..
Just wanted to leave some feedaback. I got into DSLR photography less than 1 year ago out of passion/interest. Bought the 60D body together with this lens 17-55 2.8 from Canon after reading loads of reviews. My main interest was good capabilities in low light and fast AF. I am happy to say this lens delivered. Sharp pictures, very good outcome in low light and I personally never had any problems with the dust (installed a Hoya UV filter as soon as I got my lens). USM is nice and IS is very handy. Although it felt a bit plastiky when I first laid my hands on it I had no problems with the construction and it never bothered me afterwoods. The weight does not bother me too much - I realised I ll have to put up with lots of gear when I decided to go into DSLR my aim being good image quality. It is difficult to compare this with other lenses - my only other lens is the nifty fifty - but the quality is considerably better compared to the 50 mm 1.8. Overall I am happy with the lens and hope my rookie input was helpful to some of you :P
Just wanted to leave some feedaback. I got into DSLR photography less than 1 year ago out of passion/interest. Bought the 60D body together with this lens 17-55 2.8 from Canon after reading loads of reviews. My main interest was good capabilities in low light and fast AF. I am happy to say this lens delivered. Sharp pictures, very good outcome in low light and I personally never had any problems with the dust (installed a Hoya UV filter as soon as I got my lens). USM is nice and IS is very handy. Although it felt a bit plastiky when I first laid my hands on it I had no problems with the construction and it never bothered me afterwoods. The weight does not bother me too much - I realised I ll have to put up with lots of gear when I decided to go into DSLR my aim being good image quality. It is difficult to compare this with other lenses - my only other lens is the nifty fifty - but the quality is considerably better compared to the 50 mm 1.8. Overall I am happy with the lens and hope my rookie input was helpful to some of you :P
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: PVL
Location: Bangor, ME
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
sharp, fast, IS, wish it was internal zooming
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 18, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images, fast, is
Cons: not internal focusing
I've had this lens for 4 years now, and it has gone through my "crop-sensor" evolution. Started with with Rebel XT, then Rebel Xsi, now on the T2i. It looks a little large on the T2i but it produces outstanding images. it is fairly sharp at 2.8, really sharpens up at 4.0 and the IS is quite useful. Canon makes the 10-22 with internal zooming, don't know why the didn't make this one that way, but I don't understand complex optics and marketing decisions. This lens is expensive, but it's very sharp and is the standard zoom for crop sensor for Canon crop sensor cameras. It's sharper than the primes Canon makes 50mm 1.4, 28 mm 1.8, etc. Those lenses don't sharpen up till f4, so there is no need to buy them, this lens will give you all the ranges of current Canon primes with IS to boot. One other gripe is the tendency of the front element to sag out when the camera is carried around for a long time. I accept that this is a big lens, but it is sharp and has IS. I just wish it had internal zooming.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: Dave
Location: Milwaukee
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Love the IQ, confused by sealing
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 10, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
Cons: dust, adjustments needed
After making micro-adjustments for focus, this lens is dead on. Canon support generally indicates micros are not needed, but I've had to fine tune three lenses thus far. Right not, the IQ is superb in terms of sharp lines. I now use this as my standard for lens comparison. However,the dust has also affected my experience. Clearing the particles is relatively easy (5 minutes), so it doesn't affect overall performance. But for this price point, would expect a bit more sealing.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: gt0077
Location: Medina, Ohio
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Great Lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:May 4, 2012
Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great
1 of 38 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: Art Fan
Location: Saginaw, MI
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Bad distortion
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:April 23, 2012
Warning! This lens suffers from BAD barrel and pincushion distortion. It is the only Canon lens I've ever returned. The EF 24-105 f/4.0L IS USM is FAR superior.
7 of 23 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: Mr_Carlos
Location: New York, Elizaville
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Good lens, dust inside
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:March 21, 2012
Pros: sharp, constant aperture, fast autofocus
Cons: dust inside, overpriced, not sealed
Good walk-around lens, sharp images, good performance in low light conditions, fast and silent autofocus... BUT after a few days of use I got big dust particles inside the lens, for the price that's just unacceptable
20 of 21 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: wizray
Location: Ohio
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
since 2007
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 6, 2012
Pros: fast, reliable, excellent quality
I bought this lens, to replace the kit lens on my 30D, for a trip trip to Alaska in 2007. It has seen almost constant use since then and is now on my 7D. I have more than 5000 shots on this lens. I love it! I have never had a problem with it. It is changed often for my long lens in the field. I have no dust issues. I like the way it feels when in use.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: DrJP
Location: FL
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Great Lens!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:February 21, 2012
This is a great walk-around lens. Never disappoints.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: manu
Location: Boulder Colorado
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Disappointed
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:February 11, 2012
Cons: broken auto focus on 2nd day
Purchased the lens and within 2 days and about 100 photos, it broke. The Auto Focus feature stopped working.
6 of 21 people found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: CHurc
Location: Indiana
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
My go to lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 30, 2012
Pros: image stablizer, fast focus, low light shots
This is an awesome lens for indoor and low light shots. The IS is worth it's weight in gold. I bought this to replace the kit lens and it is obviously a huge improvement. I have had a filter on the end of the lens since it was new and have had no problems with dust in the lens. The lens definitely gets more attention because of it's larger size which can be a pro or con depending on the person. The focus is fast and quite. I use this to take pictures of my newborn without a flash. As he has started to move around I have come to appreciate the IS and fast focus. The zoom is a good range for candid indoor shots. This lens can be handed to a average person to take picture on your camera without fear of super blurry pictures.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: DoNotUseYourRealN
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Incredible optics but poor seals
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:November 27, 2011
Pros: sharp, bright, fast focus
Cons: dust, heavy
This becomes your everyday lens with extraordinary abilities. You can have a shallow depth of field, you can capture fast action, you can take closeups, you can use a polarizer in a forest, you can shoot indoors with ambient lighting, and you can even take pictures by the light of a campfire. It is extremely heavy but its sharpness and large aperture will often eliminate the need to cary primes. My big gripe about quality is that the lens barrel attracts dust then sucks it inside. Dust is, by far, the biggest factor in depreciation.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: Dyluck4
Location: Georgetown, Indiana
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Better Than What's Reviewed
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 19, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
I purchased this Lens in 2009 because of the Optical Image Stabilization IS potintial and price Originally; and it's use low light is good added that you know how to use your Camera's settings correctly too! I have had no problems with the construction as discribed in earlier reviews and have had no dust issues. I been able to take great photo's with this Lens in my Rebel XTi and XSi but I can't use it in my 1Ds Mark lll because it is an EF-S Lens, so make sure your camera can use this Lens through the Compatibility Chart. My wife now uses it with the XTi and she Loves it as she's tryed my 28-200 mmm and the 85 mm 1.8 which was even lighter than the 28-200mm as we were thinking here picture taking problems were the weight of the Lens, so when the 85 1.8 didn't help I let her try my 200 mm f/2.8L ll which was really too heavy but she was taking great shots with a few bad ones. I then thought, hey try this, it was my 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS and suprisingly she has no problems with the weight and her photo's are better. She even Loves this Lens for the several obvious reasons and it's still on the XTi. She uses it for all her indoor shots and I had used it wants for a Fire Works display at my sisters with no problems.This is a great Lens if you're budget is at that in between mark!
4 of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: fryedleo
Location: Lynchburg, Va
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Update to 3/23/2010 entry
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:July 25, 2011
Pros: Super-sharp images
Cons: Poor build quality
Here's an update to my entry a little over a year ago. I'd like to reiterate my commentary on the build quality. I was taking some pictures of an old family portrait that was laying flat on the kitchen table with the camera pointed down to get the picture. The front len bezel came apart and landed on the portrait. Fortunately the glass wasn't scratched . . Had the Canon guys not put it back together correctly when they cleaned the excessive dust out of in March of 2010? I can't answer that, but still stick to my "poor build quality" assessment, especially for a lens that costs as much as this one does.
18 of 20 people found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM
Nickname: AlvisMedia
Location: VA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Good but...
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:June 15, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, 2.8 is
Got this lens a long time ago. Its great for an EF-S but if you are wanting to go full frame buy the EF 24-70L or the EF 16-35L, EF-S lens won't work with full frames cameras. Lucky I have a 7D and can still use this lens. It is a great lens for what it is and it has IS which the other two lens don't, but I would buy the 24-70L over it all the same. Just wish the 24-70L and the 16-35L had IS.
7 of 17 people found this review helpful.
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