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Customer Reviews for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Optical coatings optimized for digital cameras
Close focus to 11 inches
Super UD and three Aspherical lens elements ensure superior image quality
Dust- and moisture-resistant, constructed for professional use
Average Customer Rating:
(45 Reviews) 45
Rating Snapshot (45 reviews)
5 stars
35
4 stars
5
3 stars
1
2 stars
4
1 star
0
40 out of 45(89%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Review 1 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Big Rez
Location: Hampton,VA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Great lens
Overall Rating
Features
4
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 2, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
This is a great affordable L series lens. It is wide enough for a full frame or crop body. It is built like a tank and a very reliable lense @ f/4. No need for 2.8 if you use a flash or light your subject correctly.
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Big Daddy Canon
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Good Investment
Overall Rating
Features
4
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:October 26, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: i don't know
Very sharp images low price, great build quality, and super fast autofocus. definitely would recommend this to a friend.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: ric
Location: huntington n.y.
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
extremely happy!!
Overall Rating
Features
4
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:August 17, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
extremely sharp lens. light weight. easy to use. love it!
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Don
Location: NE Florida
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Excellent 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:June 23, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
many of my shots utilize this fantastic lens. It is perfect for indoor gatherings and that's when I use it the most. All of the photos I have takken with it are, in my opinion, suburb.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: ABQ.Joe
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Best L Value
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:December 1, 2011
Pros: fast, sharp, great contrast, rich colors, lightweight
Cons: limited in low light
I use the 17-40 f/4L on a 7D body for landscapes and perspective shots.
The 17-40 is lightweight, fast-focusing, sharp, and has great color and contrast. The only area where the 16-35 f/2.8L wins is aperature. Bokeh isn't that much of an issue in this focal length, but you can get some decent results wide open and close up at 40mm.
At half the price of a 16-35, it's hard to beat this lens. Bring a tripod along for Blue Hour, and add a slim polarizer to really knock some socks off.
If you're having that 16/17 debate in your head, put your savings towards more L glass. The 17-40 can't shoot handheld in really low light, but it's lighter and artistically identical in every other way.
If budget or weight aren't even a slight consideration, or if you "live" in low light, get the 16 of course.
107 of 109 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Tc
Location: Tampa fl
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Well Worth The price
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 3, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: a little expensive
I recently purchased this lens and it was totally worth it. This lens produces sharp images. The lens feels sturdy and it is very well built. This lens works ok in low light conditions but if you don't have a wide angle lens definitely buy this one.
18 of 23 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: LIfe In Still
Location: Toronto, Ontario - CANADA FOLKS.
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
You Will Not Regret The 17-40L
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 28, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, high iq, minimum focus distance
The 17-40L lens is an amazing lens to own. Don't just think landscapes, portraits, action photography...this lens allows you to get right up in the mix. The contrast and colors produced by this lens are perfect. Throw on a circular polorizer or neutral density filter and you'll find yourself shooting outdoors for hours. Combined with a decent body (7D) for example, F4 should not be an issue. AF is quick, lens is light and feels nice in your hands and well weighted in comparison to the camera body. What else can I say.....oh ya it's affordable. P.S. - Take a look at the Canon 85mm 1.8 if you haven't already....it's a great kept secret!!!!
18 of 20 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Fort Worth Photo
Location: Fort Worth Photo
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
Beautiful Landscapes
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:May 23, 2011
Pros: Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
This lens delivers great outdoor photos. Colors are magnificent and contrast very good. I shoot with a 50D, and the range is very nice. I can't comment on any the brightness in the corners when shooting wide on a full frame. This lens delivered amazing photos in Alaska. This was the first L series lens that I purchased. If shoot with a smaller sensor, try the EF-S 10-22mm. I haven't, but that range would be a nice complement to a general purpose lens. As it is, I have a lot of overlap for the money with my 24-105mm L and 28-135. With a full frame sensor, you get more extra wide angle, if that makes sense. Although it may overlap the focal range of other lenses, it is relatively small for an L zoom, which makes travel with it relatively easy. For the money, I would take the 17-40mm over the 16-35mm for landscapes. Inside photos of family gatherings, however, beg for the speedier lens.
19 of 22 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Jzzman
Location: NYC
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: No
Surprisingly good lens!
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 19, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Purchased this len as a back-up to the 16-35 mm 2.8 and was greatly suprised at the overly sharpness and image quality. Not as fast as the 2.8 but still a good lens for shooting group shots and 'scapes. Not disappointed with this purchase at all!
7 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Bob
Location: Austin, TX
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Excellent wide angle AND it's a zoom
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 9, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, relatively lightweight
Cons: included lens bag is too small with hood attached, canon l glass is too pricey
You'll not go wrong with this lens; it's fast, accurate and sharp throughout its range.
I'm so sold on "L" glass, it's all I use.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: grandpawrichard
Location: Burlington, WA.
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Fantastic 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:March 22, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, wonderful tack sharp lens!
I bought this lens in December of 2010 and I absolutely Love it! What can I say, It's a Canon L series lens! The build is substantial in weight and the Glass is Superb!
This lens will take you from Ho-hum photos to SPECTACULAR Photos!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: sy
Location: colorado
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
My favorite
Overall Rating
Features
4
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:December 27, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, sharp images, ultra-wide angle
Cons: built quality?
I don't know about yours but my copy is very sharp! You get heavy distortion on the corner especially FF sensor cameras but that's something you expect from this type of lens. This lens usually stays on my camera. It's supposed to have dust and moisture resistant, but somehow one tiny tiny dust got into the back of the front lens.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: kmggdc
Location: St. Louis
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
distortion at 17-20mm range
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:October 3, 2010
Pros: good quality build
Cons: have to avoid the widest angle.
I have owned this lens for several years and use it to shoot kitchen interiors. Shots are often tight with the need for wide angle. I bought this over the 16-35mm due to the price. However kitchens are full of linear / vertical geometry and we shoot parallel and level. Unfortunately this lens has tremendous distortion along the perimeter of the shots. It is especially noticeable in our work since we are always aligning our shots with vertical lines in the room. If there is a vertical object such as a wall or cabinet edge, it will show tremendous distortion in the mid section of the shot. I has to cropped out on the final edit or corrected in software (not always possible since we use HDR photography).
To compensate we shoot at 20mm; but that defeats the purpose of owning the 17mm. If I had to do it over I'd get the 16-35mm. Hopefully that does not have this issue.
This lens is likely great for someone not shooting subjects with geometry, so my complaint is specific; but it is a real issue with this lens. I am dissappointed in that this carries the L designation, I don't think it is Canon's best to say the least.
54 of 72 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Pesto
Location: USA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Soft!!!
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:September 4, 2010
Pros: great focal range
Cons: soft
I owned this lens for quite a while, but rarely used it because the image quality was not acceptable. This would be a very useful focal length / range and it is too bad that it is not at all sharp.
12 of 28 people found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: George
Affordable full frame wideangle
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:August 10, 2010
It's the best, afforable wide-angle for full frame. No sense to use it on APS-C as there are better alternatives. I actually liked the 10-22 on crop better than this.
Nice and sharp, good saturation, some vignetting - especially at large apertures.
7 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Melo
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Great lens at a bargain price
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:June 27, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
This is probably Canon's best value per dollar lens. Combined with the optically-sound EF-S 10-22mm the pair costs about the same as a single 16-35/2.8L.
This is a great general purpose lens for both full frame and cropped sensors. It comes with a very nice hood and a lens pouch. It handles extremely well and optical quality is excellent even at f/4. Its one of the very few lenses that I can't really think of anything to criticize.
This is a great general purpose lens for both full frame and cropped sensors. It comes with a very nice hood and a lens pouch. It handles extremely well and optical quality is excellent even at f/4. Its one of the very few lenses that I can't really think of anything to criticize.
16 of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: fruitytooty
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Never off my 7D
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:May 12, 2010
Pros: Super-sharp images
Great build quality. Not as wide as I was hoping for my 7D but I couldn't afford the 16-35 2.8L.
This is on my camera 90% of the time. The other 10% goes to my 50mm 1.4 (another awesome lens!).
If you want a wide angle that doesn't give any distortion go with this lens. I am probably going to buy the 15mm Fisheye lens as well for all my artsy-fartsy shots.
26 of 30 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: rhc7
Location: Flint Hills of Kansas
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Good Capable lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:May 5, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Used initially on RebelXT. lens sharpness/clarity expanded XT capabilities..Lens always on camera. Now with 40D, see true capabilities of the lense. even shot in low light with monopod/tripod...get great results. Great started "L" lense to get feet wet... Performance is at 4, wish it was f2.8...great overall lense, need to get a UV filter with threads for another filter (polarizar), can not use at current time. Yet, using 40d capable of bringing out the differnt green grass colors without photoshop...
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Z Man
Location: San Diego, CA
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Utility lens
Overall Rating
Features
4
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:April 13, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, excellent lens hood
This is a great all around lens. When compared to the 24-70mm F2.8, I felt it was much more useful on a camera, a 40D to be exact, with a crop sensor. Unlike the 24-70, with the 17-40, I dont find myself trying to cramp my head into the corner of the room in order to be able to fit everyone in the photo. Extremely clear photos paired with ultra fast focusing speed makes this lens a knockout for just about any photo job.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Nickname: Diabolical
Location: Boulder, CO
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Loving my first L
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 30, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
This was the first lens I bought for my new 50D (came with 28-135) and I couldn't be happier. I thought about going with the 10-22mm so I could get really wide shots with the APS-C sensor but after only a few uses I was glad I went with this one. Image quality is wonderful and I really appreciate the build quality of the L series. Ill take the extra time to save for every lens to make sure it's and 'L'
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.
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