Hi, everyone... if anyone is interested in this lens, I did a little write-up, as well as a comparison between the TS-E and the 17-40 L...

(I screwed up on the first group of 100% crops and you can't click through to the full size, but with the other samples you can... hopefully, I'll re-upload those and fix that.. you can still see the difference even with the thumbnails)


This review isn't made to be 100% comprehensive or anything.. just a first look at the lens for people who are considering it...

http://macdanzigphotography.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/a-first-look-at-the-canon-ts-e-17mm-f4-l-and-a-test-vs-the-17-40-l/

thanks for lookin...

-Mac

I appreciate you sharing your images and reflections on these two. I'm one of the ones with the 17-40 due to needing the kidney more than the TS-E, but it does get me thinking that I do have two kidneys.

I had to wait for almost 2 weeks on my backorder for this lens. I think it's worth it though.

Very entertaining and honest review. One thing I'd like to add is how much I like the bokeh, soft and gaussian blur-ish.

Thanks mac for review. Well done. I totally agree with everything you said. I absolutely agree with everything you said. I was told by my store that canon will be releasing so sort of a filter for 17 mm lens that somehow attaches to the grooves of the lens cap fits on. I hope he is correct.

Perry

I really don't want to hear any more.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

I can't believe there is no hood available for it...

Yakim Peled wrote:
I really don't want to hear any more.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Go on Yakim, you only live once go get the 17 and 24 tse and you will love. I originally want the 90tse for food and macro. When the 17 & 24 were released I got them instead hoping a new 90tse would follow suit. Well I could not wait anymore and I purcased the 90tse as well. I got into the bug just like you.

Perry

You know you want it Yakim... Resistance is futile.

Excellent review Mac.


"(Having the ability to rotate the barrel 45 degrees from right angle to paralell for both tilt and shift is an invaluable feature and doubles the creative possibilities of a tilt-shift lens)."

What do you mean by this? Is a function that is not available on the 90mm TS-E?

abdul10000 wrote:
Excellent review Mac.


"(Having the ability to rotate the barrel 45 degrees from right angle to paralell for both tilt and shift is an invaluable feature and doubles the creative possibilities of a tilt-shift lens)."

What do you mean by this? Is a function that is not available on the 90mm TS-E?

Not without partially dissembling the lens by removing four screws and manually roatating the front assembly, then re-assembling the lens. It can be done, bit it's rather a pain in the a$$. So much easier on the 17 and the 24 II.

Geofn wrote:
abdul10000 wrote:
Excellent review Mac.


"(Having the ability to rotate the barrel 45 degrees from right angle to paralell for both tilt and shift is an invaluable feature and doubles the creative possibilities of a tilt-shift lens)."

What do you mean by this? Is a function that is not available on the 90mm TS-E?

Not without partially dissembling the lens by removing four screws and manually roatating the front assembly, then re-assembling the lens. It can be done, bit it's rather a pain in the a$$. So much easier on the 17 and the 24 II.

I see, what is the benefit of this move?

abdul10000 wrote:

I see, what is the benefit of this move?

Have a look at this

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/modify_canon_tilt-shift.html

Perry

Thanks, everyone!

n0b0, that's an awesome shot. perfect example of what tilt can do.


pcho: I have also heard the filter rumor... let's hope it happens.


Abdul: as you can see, the hack you had to do in the previous versions is kinda involved, and I'm pretty sure it voids the warranty. now you can do it in 2 seconds while the lens is mounted... One of the benefits of barrel rotation is the ability to shoot in vertical (portrait mode) and still have the same native tilt/shift functions. Or, of course, reversing the native functions on a normal landscape mode shot, making the tilt work horizontally and the shift work vertically.

Daan B wrote:
I can't believe there is no hood available for it...


My experience with the lens so far is that it is very resistant to glare. But yes your right, no lenshood is available though there are other ways to shade the glass. If a lenshood is what you need you better pass on this lens. On the other hand if an amazingly well built and performing wide angle TS lens is what you want, this may be the lens for you.

Peter

Architectural Photography by Peter Montanti, www.mountainphotographics.com

My experience, too, has been that the 17 is quite flare resistant. Below are a couple of crops showing flare detail. This shot does not have the sun in the actual image, but full sun was hitting the front element of the lens when the shot was taken. This lens is by far the most flare resistant of any lens I've ever used.

Got any more shots with the 17?


Larry

coastwise2@comcast.net

thanks for the review, i found similar improvements in sharpness, when comparing my 24TSE II to using my 16-35LII and 24-105L at 24mm.

I actually had the 17TSE on order but passed when it arrived last June, since it doesn't take ND grads. I read somewhere that someone is working on a solution for this lens and the nikon 14-24, so that filters can be used. If a viable option to use filters is available, I think this lens would be number #1 on my lens lust list

As a pure landscape lens, this lens' ability really is hampered by the lack of filter mount but as a cityscape/architectural lens, it's still very much a viable option.

Nice review with stunning sharp images from the TS lens compared to the 17-40L.
The TS is a killer in terms of sharpness, but a killer in terms to your budget.
I think I will stick to my 17-40L and try using it as much as possible on a tripod and above F8. Have fun with your lens!

cwolf