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Archive 2016 · How is the 17-40 L lens?

  
 
RSHPhotography
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


Hey all. Just wondering if anyone uses the 17-40. I don't have a wide angle lens yet. The 35L is the widest I have. I'm thinking it might substitute for the 35 if needed during a wedding.

When do you use this lens? Or is it just a back up type lens.
Thoughts? Can it hang with a 35L and 70-200 in terms of image quality and sharpness?



Oct 12, 2016 at 09:55 AM
LeeSimms
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


The 17-40 was great in its day but 16-35 IS walks all over it — no comparison.

If you don't need crazy wide, you should try a 24-70L II — the zoom that thinks it's a prime.



Oct 12, 2016 at 09:58 AM
rstoddard11
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


The 16-35 f4 IS is better, but the 17-40 at f8 is just as useful for landscapes at f8 and if you don't go wide that much, it is more affordable. I don't regularly shoot that wide, but end up renting the 16-35 f4 IS on trips. Basically the money I spent renting it twice a year keeps more cash in my pocket and the latest lens within reach.


Oct 12, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Jeff Simpson
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


I've owned almost all canon's wide angles.. I would get the 17-40 used (it's a great value) and see how you like it. if you have a larger budget, find yourself shooting wide a lot, or if you demand higher IQ (or IS), then upgrade to the 16-35 f/4. it's much better and is about ~60% more.

LeeSimms wrote:
The 17-40 was great in its day but 16-35 IS walks all over it — no comparison.

If you don't need crazy wide, you should try a 24-70L II — the zoom that thinks it's a prime.


used 17-40 = $500
used 24-70 = $1700






Oct 12, 2016 at 11:15 AM
LeeSimms
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


We got our 16-35ƒ4 IS during sale week at the Canon refurb store — $700 and change. The 17-40 (in stock today) is about $560. Your extra money gets you crazy sharp corners wide open and IS, which pays all sorts of after dark dividends.

I'm really happy Canon is revisiting most of their lens line-up. They haven't done a bad one in years. Looking forward to trying the new 24-105 and a friend shot a pre production 16-35 III — it will be a home run.

Patiently waiting for revisions of ...

50L
50 1.4 (the 1.8 STM is great - in my bag - replacing my 50L)
85 1.8



Oct 12, 2016 at 11:38 AM
Mitch W
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


Love my 17-40 and it definitely got used at every wedding I photographed. I thought I'd sell it once I purchased the 24-70II but found the 24 just wasn't wide enough for certain things. Other photographers I've shot with would often borrow my 17-40 for certain shots because their 24-70 was the widest they carried. With that said, I never used the 16-35is so can't compare. But yeah, I think the 17-40 is a very capable lens.


Oct 12, 2016 at 01:53 PM
IrishDino
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


I own the 16-35 f/4 IS and have owed the 17-40L

The new one is amazing. The old one kind of sucks (for landscape stuff).

But if all you're using it for is the infrequent wide angle shot and/or dance photos, I'd consider saving the money and buying a used 17-40L. I don't use my 16-35 enough to really warrant the price difference (although I did by mine new on day 1).




Oct 12, 2016 at 03:44 PM
elkhornsun
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


Wider is better for shots of the ceremony area and the reception for overview images. The 16-35mm f/2.8 is a minimum even with a full frame camera. A f/4 lens is of much less use in most venues where one is usually dealing with very dim lighting. Autofocus is also impacted when a lens provides half as much light the camera's AF sensors.


Oct 12, 2016 at 03:51 PM
Jeff Simpson
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


elkhornsun wrote:
Wider is better for shots of the ceremony area and the reception for overview images. The 16-35mm f/2.8 is a minimum even with a full frame camera. A f/4 lens is of much less use in most venues where one is usually dealing with very dim lighting. Autofocus is also impacted when a lens provides half as much light the camera's AF sensors.


you can shoot all day in dim churches with a 16-35 f/4. Most everyone is using a 5d3/d750 these days which makes this easily possible =)



Oct 13, 2016 at 01:21 PM
LeeSimms
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


5D4 has snap focus with the 16-35ƒ4 in even the darkest dance floors.


Oct 13, 2016 at 06:44 PM
joelconner
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


the 17-40 is a great, great lens for the price. I used one for 8 years before I finally sold it a few months ago. It really depends on your use for it to see if the 16-35 2.8 is worth the higher price. For me, I used it for the occasional ultra-wide shot but mainly for dancing (usually at 5.6-8) and it was great.


Oct 13, 2016 at 09:39 PM
glort
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · How is the 17-40 L lens?



I bought mine ( new) for a one off job. I am surprised how much I have used it.
never really thought I would have much work for it but it's done a lot more than I would have foreseen.

The image quality has always been great to me. If you want more technical nit picking or comparisons, Sorry, I can't help you. I don't get into all that irrelevant and pointless shit, I use the things to make money and unless there is some glaring fault that the customers are unsatisfied with, I use what does the job and don't over analyse things more than that.

Currently I mainly use in my photo booth and it's been great for that.



Oct 14, 2016 at 01:14 AM
RSHPhotography
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


It will be used this way:

5D2 - 17-40 or 16-35 f4IS

5D3 - 135L

So, now I'm a bit confused the 16-35 has IS which can be helpful, just wondering if it is worth the $300-$400 increase over the 17-40.



Oct 14, 2016 at 09:36 AM
LeeSimms
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


I love ultra-wide as much as anyone but, I'd do a 24-70+135 combo before a 16-35+135.



Oct 14, 2016 at 09:49 AM
RSHPhotography
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


85 1.8 trading places with 135L when indoors or tight portrait work.

LeeSimms wrote:
I love ultra-wide as much as anyone but, I'd do a 24-70+135 combo before a 16-35+135.




Oct 14, 2016 at 11:40 AM
LeeSimms
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


Yes. I use a 100L in place of an 85 because of the close focus options (85's always frustrate me when you can't get close enough)


Oct 14, 2016 at 12:14 PM
Jeff Simpson
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


RSHPhotography wrote:
It will be used this way:

5D2 - 17-40 or 16-35 f4IS

5D3 - 135L

So, now I'm a bit confused the 16-35 has IS which can be helpful, just wondering if it is worth the $300-$400 increase over the 17-40.


this is easy:

1. sell 5d2
2. buy used 5d3
3. buy used 17-40
4. profit

you will benefit much more from having a more capable body than spending more on the IQ bump/IS of the 16-35

if you can't get a used 5d3 now, then still get the 17-40 and save IMO



Oct 16, 2016 at 09:44 AM
drew.bowser
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


I JUST picked up a 17-40L on the board here for UNDER $300. Might as well grab one and try it. I paid $600 less than the 16-35 F/3L - and hey, its not a bad lens!


Oct 26, 2016 at 12:00 AM
Yaryman
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · How is the 17-40 L lens?


You can't beat the price for a used 17-40. It's a great travel lens. 17mm is plenty wide for most things and 40mm on the long end with a little crop gives you a 50mm lens.

It's a great lens for dance photos made at the wide end. I use it at f5.0 with no worries.

This photo was made at f5.6. It was little brighter here. Many shots on this trip inside churches I used the lens at f 5.0.

http://www.keithsimonian.com/portfolio/visual-excellence-personal-work/disputation-holy-sacrament-raphael-rooms-vatican



Oct 29, 2016 at 08:05 PM





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