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Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM Post a Review
Reviews Views Date of last review
36 121978 Apr 1, 2003
Recommended By Average Price
86% of reviewers $784.50
Build Quality Rating Price Rating Overall Rating
9.28
8.96
8.6
ef17_35_1_

Description:
With a maximum angle of view of 104º, this lens uses a large aspherical lens for element 1 and another aspherical lens for element 15. They correct distortion and greatly improve peripheral resolution. A gelatin filter holder on the rear of the lens accepts up to three pre-cut gel filters. The lens also accepts screw-on filters (77mm).
Keywords: EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM
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Mike Subocz
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Registered: May 31, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 71
Review Date: Oct 21, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $565.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Light weight, good focus speed, great color and contrast.
Cons: None at this time!

I picked this great copy off CL a few months ago and haven't been happier. I ended up switching from a 24-70L to the 17-35 and by doing so opened up more possibilities. The USM works great and the colors are nice. I was skeptical going for such an old lens, but it goes to show you, Canon makes a great product.

BTW I also used a 17-40L 4.0 (less that 2 years old) but I wasn't impressed. I tested the 17-35 against the 17-40 to be sure, and the 17-35 performed better, so I kept it.

I should also mention the 17-35 is a good walk around lens.


Oct 21, 2009
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plm25
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Registered: Jul 21, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 9
Review Date: Apr 29, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $250.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: weight, sharp, price
Cons: none

I picked up this from local craigslist for $250. Focusing, IQ is excellent.

Apr 29, 2009
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six66
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Registered: Mar 1, 2008
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 1
Review Date: Feb 6, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $600.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: weight, price, constant 2.8
Cons: none .. absolutely perfect for the price i paid

it was either the newer 17-40 f4 or the 13 year old 17-35 f2.8. I found a used but very good condition 17-35 f2.8, tested it along with 17-40. Constant f2.8 at 600 is hard to beat.

Feb 6, 2009
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whitetail
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Registered: May 21, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 140
Review Date: May 21, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Cost (for an L!), build, quality, speed, minimal barrel distortion at 17mm
Cons: Weight (to be expected from an L), a little soft wide open

I became sick and tired of dealing with my dslr kit lens, so I decided to upgrade. It was a choice between the Canon 17-40 f/4 and this lens. I really wanted to avoid upgrading to only f/4, even with the quality of an L. I found a used copy on eBay at a very attractive price. I only paid $525 USD for it, a fraction of the 16-35 f/2.8 II 's cost, without trading much quality. I have the speed and sharpness of a wide angle f/2.8 L, without giving an arm and a leg. This lens was much bigger than I expected (it was my first L), especially with the hood on. However, it has turned into my main workhorse lens, since I use it on a dslr with 1.6x crop factor. It seems a little soft at f/2.8, but is nice and sharp when stopped down to around f/4. It captures shots wonderfully, with the quality and clarity expected of the L line.

May 21, 2008
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neilvandyke
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Registered: Mar 8, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 142
Review Date: Apr 26, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated

 
Pros: Good build quality, good image quality.
Cons: Soft wide-open.

I use this on a 20D body, as my wide zoom. Funding-wise, it was essentially a trade from a Tamron 17-50/2.8 plus a 28/1.8 (both excellent copies).

I would prefer more reach, but I have a second 20D with a 70-200 on it, plus a 50/1.4 ready to swap on to either body.

I immediately stuck a new multicoated UV filter on front of the 17-35/2.8L, as it's not sealed, and the the front element moves in and out a bit within the barrel.

I'm still trying to find a longer hood that mounts without modification.


Apr 26, 2008
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kawter2
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Registered: Sep 10, 2004
Location: N/A
Posts: 160
Review Date: Apr 3, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: sharp, light, cheap, good build
Cons: only thing i can think of is f4, but it honestly hasn't been an issue as i can drag the shutter a lot @ 17mm

Such a great lens. I purchased it before there was a 16MKII but I have found this lens to be significantly sharper than the old 16-35 Tons of photos on my blog http://ericjphotography.com/blog I would be lost if it weren't in my bag. I should mention that i use it on a 5D and really would only suggest it on FF

Apr 3, 2008
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adamrose13
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Registered: Mar 12, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 258
Review Date: Mar 12, 2008 Recommend? no | Price paid: Not Indicated

 
Pros: not sure
Cons: not sure

can someone compare this lens to the 17-40L f/4...

in terms if IQ, sharpness, and build and just in general


Mar 12, 2008
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jimpee
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Registered: Feb 19, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 4
Review Date: Mar 2, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $598.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: •L quality build, color, contrast, and saturation •silent, fast focus •cost/value •2.8 throughout •full time manual focus
Cons: •not as sharp as other L glass that is 3x the price. •I'll only buy L lenses from now on (they're expensive)

I was on a budget and needed a fast wide-angle zoom for hand-held available light photos. I purchased this lens after agonizing for months over what to buy.
I read all the reviews, compared all the wide-angle lenses, and was unimpressed with the build quality, whiny zoom, and reversed mechanics of the Tamron 17-50. I passed on the Tamron, paid $200 more and have been extremely pleased with the value for what I paid.
For $600 (a steal, in my opinion) I have L build quality, low light focus that always works (unlike the Tamron), great saturation and contrast, and full time manual focus. The images aren't quite as sharp as my 50mm prime, but they are sharp enough for my needs.
If you're using a full-frame camera, I can see how distortion could be a problem. However, on my 30D this lens exceeded my expectations.













Mar 2, 2008
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marxzed
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Registered: Dec 8, 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 74
Review Date: Jan 17, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $450.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Good build quality, fast aperture, used units are available very cheep on eBay
Cons: not so shape or free of CA as the 16-35mm particularly in corners.... won't win you friends in the "elite L series snobs" crowd

Despite being twice superseded this is still a great lens. The 16-35 (particularly the MkII version) is noticeably sharper and more resistant to CA than this older lens......
HOWEVER... a used 17-35 can be picked up for 1/4 the price (or less) of the street price for the 16-35 MkII. Which give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Most of these faults are lost on a 1.6 crop camera such as my D60 and 20D. When used on my film body, yeh I can see some softness at the corners but I can generally compose and work around it.


Used on a 1.6 crop body this is now my primary walk around lens giving me effective FoV of a 28 to 55 mm zoom.

Pro's have been happily using this lens for years and so while it may not be as awesome as the 16-55mm 2.8 L MkII it is still quality kit and the cheap price on the used market make it a great bargain for us less affluent non pro enthusiast.


Jan 17, 2008
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Kristian ra
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Registered: Feb 1, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 52
Review Date: Jul 11, 2007 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $500.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, fast, relatively cheap
Cons: Not really built like an L

I bought the Sigma 18-50 EX DC f2.8 with my Canon 20D. It was a minor disaster - as I realised I don't like the Sigma tone (yellowish) nor the non-USM focus system.

So I had to upgrade - and was thinking of buying the Canon 17-40. However, I found a beaten up copy of the 17-35, and after testing it on a 1D - which assured good sharpness and only slight distortion on the edges - I figured out this would work perfectly on the 20D with 1.6 crop.

And it did. Images are crisp, great contrast and colour. Only problem is a slightly sluggish or non-smooth zoom, which probably is due to a heavy use in the past. But pictures turn out great - which is what matters. If you find one for the price of the 17-40, it's really not a question which one to buy, the 17-35 is after all the old, big brother.


Jul 11, 2007
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duckieNL
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Registered: May 30, 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1
Review Date: Jun 18, 2007 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $600.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Almost same range as sucsessor, almost sameprice as 17/40
Cons: No available anymore

I needed a wide angle lens with high light capacity. This because i wanted to shoot bands and DJ´s without a flash, to maintain the original colors. This is a truly great lens, perhaps not as good as its sucsessor 16-35, but for cropcams like my 10D/300D, it is great value. I have not yet had the pleasure of a 17-40 F4 but i think i have a better lens now for indoors en landscape photography for the same price as a 17-40.

Jun 18, 2007
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Ross T.
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Registered: Dec 14, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 185
Review Date: Oct 11, 2006 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Great Wide Angle Zoom Range....FAST!!!
Cons: None

I've had mine for over 10 yrs...Very Fast...Great Wide Angle Zoom Range...If you could pick up a used one it could be a Great Buy...Not my sharpest Canon Lens-Wide Angle Zooms never are...But this is a Great Lens...On my Canon 5D it's still a 17-35mm lens....A FUN Lens to Shoot, especially at 17mm....Very Happy with mine!!!

Oct 11, 2006
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ef17_35_1_


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