Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

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Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

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Reviews	Views	Date of last review
507	952976	Nov 18, 2012

Recommended By	Average Price
89% of reviewers	$672.06

Build Quality Rating

Price Rating

Overall Rating

9.52

8.87

9.0

Description:
A new and affordable L-series ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that's ideal for both film and digital SLRs. Superior optics are assured by the use of three aspherical lens elements, in addition to a Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass element. Optical coatings are optimized for use with digital cameras. This lens focuses as close as 11 inches (0.28m), and offers both Canon's full-time manual focus and a powerful ring-type USM for fast and silent AF. It has a constant f/4 maximum aperture, and offers the choice of screw-in 77mm filters or a holder in the rear of the lens for up to three gel filters. Finally, it offers weather-resistant construction similar to other high-end L-series lenses.

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EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

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jpfy
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Registered: Dec 11, 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 31

Review Date: Oct 19, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10

Pros:	Image Quality, Build, AF speed, sharpness
Cons:	Would love it to be faster but would be much more expensive

I am very happy with this lens, It replaced my 18-55 EF-S. Much better constructed and sharper but then 10x cost.
But I can use it on my 50E giving an ultra wide angle.
Love it.

Oct 19, 2005

neographikal
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Registered: Aug 14, 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 22

Review Date: Oct 19, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10

Pros:	Sharpness even wide-open, AF-speed is simply awesome. One of the fastest focussing lenses there is and build-quality is just next to perfect.
Cons:	Some CA on some shots, but nothing to worry about. Yes it's F/4 but that's what you pay for.

I had the 18-55 kit, and this is just such a relief. It's damned fast with autofocussing, it's sharp even wideopen in the corners. On some shots there is some CA visible, but nothing to worry about in my regard.

If you're looking for a really decent wide-angle zoom, this is the one. It outperforms the Tamron 17-35, Sigma 20-40 and Sigma 17-35 by a long shot. Yes it does cost €200,- more, but that's worth it!

Oct 19, 2005

George Chew
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Registered: Sep 2, 2005
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 11

Review Date: Oct 19, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 9

Pros:	Very sharp and value for money, not too heavy to carry around for street photography.
Cons:	If it could have a stop faster, but then have to pay double.

Greetings,
I dumped my EF-S 10-22mm for this lens, as I foresee I'll be getting a FF Canon DSLR soon. Initial impression of this lens is very good. Test pics are very sharp and with very good contrast. This is a much better lens than the EF-S 10-22m for about the same price. I think I'm bitten by L bugs. Enjoy...

Oct 19, 2005

albertomonte
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Registered: Sep 19, 2005
Location: Italy
Posts: 0

Review Date: Oct 15, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10

Pros:	obiettivo eccezionale quasi privo di distorsione molto nitido e particolarmente contrastato. Per nulla pesante o ingombrante. Il suo prezzo" ottica L " è accessibile rispetto ad altre ottiche dello stesso livello qualitativo
Cons:	nessuna

non ha nulla da invidiare alle ottiche come il 24-70 2,8 nelle relative focali o il 16/35 2,8 -paragonato sempre alle stesse focali con il 24-105 Stabilizzato mi ha lasciato molto sorpreso.
In pratica, in termini di nitidezza e contrasto, viene fuori con grande onore e qualità. Ottimo obiettivo veramente.

Oct 15, 2005

mlavander
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Registered: Dec 11, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 701

Review Date: Oct 13, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: $679.00 | Rating: 10

Pros:	Aweome photo quality
Cons:	Would love the same lense as f/2.8...but then I should have bought the 16-35mm.

I used my year end bonus to buy this lense in 2004. At the time I was using a 300D Rebel. I chose this lense since the 2005 North American International Auto Show was coming in Detroit. It worked AWESOME! The 17mm wide angle letme get right up to the vehicles. Anyone that has shot at the auto show knows what a pain it is to be away from the vehicle - people walk in front of you, even thought they see you are taking a photo.

Now it is working awesome as a close-up mountain bike photography lense. I just purchased the 70-200mm f/2.8L to team up with the 17-40mm for cyclocross racing. They will work great together.

The photo quality with this lense and my 20D are amazing. At 1:1 viewing, I can read CHRIS KING on the headset of a racer's mountain bike headset - and its extremely sharp. The action effects with speeds down to 1/30s are great!

Oct 13, 2005

afred
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Registered: Mar 19, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 710

Review Date: Oct 12, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: $540.00 | Rating: 9

Pros:	light, size, sharp, price
Cons:	f/4, build

Well, i've got to say, this is a very sharp lens. It might be my sharpest lens. I think i got really lucky with this one, because i dont see a difference between f/4 and f/8, and they're both tack. Then lens is pretty light, i was expecting it to be a little heavier. The build seems OK, but not great.

Oct 12, 2005

mauriceramirez
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Registered: Jul 16, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 2905

Review Date: Oct 12, 2005

Recommend? | Price paid: $800.00

Pros:	It's cheap.
Cons:	It's an f4.

available light works better photographically in most situations, and this f4 lens, like any f4 lens, flat out doesn't work for that. I'm not a landscape or flash lover so it's going back. Tripods are not my friend for travel.

I'd much rather get an off-brand f2.8 than an L f4. Better yet, a prime. Something that can work in light that's actually INTERESTING. Remember interesting light? It's kind of important.

This lens has turned me off to slow zooms for GOOD. What I really don't get are the all the 70-200 f4 lenses out there. What purpose on this earth can THAT ridiculous lens serve?

My guess: Status.

-m

Oct 12, 2005

arnolo
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Registered: Oct 7, 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 43

Review Date: Oct 9, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 9

Pros:	Very Sharp at wide angle and good colours
Cons:	A bit less contrasy at the long end of its range.

I found this zoom Sharp and contrasty in general. The sharpness drops a bit at the long end of the range, but remains very good.
I found it to be clearly sharper than the 28/2.8 prime at f/4, particularly on the edges (tested with 1.6x sensor of the Canon EOS350D).
I also compared this lens with the very good value 50/1.8 II ( at 40mm and f/4.... ok its a big dodgy given the difference in focal length). The 50 mil was very much sharper in the centre and edges of the picture at f/4

Compared to the EFS 10-22, this lens has a comparable sharpness, it also has a small amount of CA on the edges (almost undetectable on the 10-22), and is 120grams heavier. Finally, this lense appears to include a slightly wider tonal range than the 10-22 (particularly on the warm side of the spectrum). This in my view makes the pictures a little nicer to look at, but the difference is a subtle one and may depend on the lighting conditions.

It also comes with a hood and leather bag (unlike the 10-22).

I intend to use it as my main lens, and maybe to combine it with an EFS 60/2.8 macro or 50/1.8II when travelling (where weight is an issue and you cannot bring 5 lenses with you)

Overall this looks like a very good lens.

Oct 9, 2005

stimpy59
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Registered: Oct 4, 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 0

Review Date: Oct 8, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10

Pros:	Build quaility, razor sharp images. Great contrast and colours.
Cons:	Expensive at £550.00 in UK

Also tested several other lenses on my 20D: Sigma 18-50 f2.8, Tamron 17-35 f2.8 and Canon 20-35 f3.5. Had focus issues with the Sigma and I didn't like the colours produced by this lens. The Tamron produced more pleasing colours but was on the soft side and also caused the 20D to lock up. The 17-35 Canon was was very close to the 20-35 in the centre but too soft and the edges. So, if money is not an issue buy the 17-40. If you can't afford it just yet, wait until you can!

Oct 8, 2005

agentmckay
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Registered: Mar 29, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 4

Review Date: Oct 6, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: $598.00 | Rating: 10

Pros:	Excellent "L" build quality, quite sharp with nice contrast and color. Can't beat the price for an L lens. Light weight and easy to carry.
Cons:	a little soft at edges when at 17mm otherwise no cons.

I'm very pleased with my first L lens, excellent build quality and great color and contrast. I've not had it long but have taken some shots I really like. For the price you cannot beat it. Two thumbs up!

Oct 6, 2005

DonSnyder
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Registered: Jun 16, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 28

Review Date: Oct 4, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: $525.00 | Rating: 10

Pros:	I am amazed with the quality.
Cons:	The push pull.. type of internal mechanism might inhale some dust.. I always use a good flilter.

Oct 4, 2005

nick3d
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Registered: Jun 23, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 2

Review Date: Oct 4, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: $600.00 | Rating: 9

Pros:	"L" build quality, Great Color & Contrast, Perfect Handling, Nearly Flare Free despite being a 77mm WA lens.
Cons:	So-so value. F/4 doesn't do you any favor indoor. Not the sharpest lens you can have for the money.

I didn't have high hope in this lens coz it isn't one of the sharpest lens like most its L brothers. But once I try it I am stunned by its color/contrast/flare resist ability, it does make your shots look good -- isn't that what you want for a landscape lens? Its size/weight are just about right and focus fast make it a very nice walk-around lens on my 20D.

Sure its sharpness isn't really pleasing but this is a WA ZOOM. Value wise this isn't the best deal you have can around town -- but if what you need is stunning landscape result, this is your lens.

Oct 4, 2005

Wren
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Registered: Oct 28, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 96

Review Date: Oct 4, 2005

Recommend? no | Price paid: Not Indicated

Pros:	Classic "L" build. Good Color/Contrast.
Cons:	Barrel distortion at wide mm. The reason I bought this lens is to shoot WIDE angle. I already own the 24-70L. Wasted my money thinking I could capture architectural shots. F/4 - too slow. Unusuable on lowlight conditions.

I must say.. after reading a lot of raving reviews on this lens, Im very disappointed. This lens is way overrated. I think a lot of first time "L" buyers are smitten because they own an "L". I have other "L" lenses as well, ( 24-70, 70-200 ) but this one did not deliver. I don't know if I got a bad copy, but I just had to return it. I wanted a wide-angle zoom lens but the barrel distortion at 17mm is really bad. I opted for the ef-s 10-22 instead. I paid more money for this ef-s lens, but worth it. The barrel distortion even at 12 or 14 mm is minimal.

Oct 4, 2005

fcampana
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Registered: Sep 30, 2005
Location: N/A
Posts: 0

Review Date: Sep 30, 2005

Recommend? no | Price paid: $680.00

Pros:	Fast focusing. Heavy duty build.
Cons:	Image soft on the edges, especially left edge, at 17mm. Noticeable CA. Barrel distortion at 17mm.

I had high expectations for this lens because of all the great reviews. I was greatly disappointed. I tested two of these lenses and both exhibited softness near the edges of the images. And this is on a Canon Digital Rebel XT/350D (1.6x crop). Bought the sharper of the two lenses and sent it for calibration. After calibration, it's adequate. The left side is still noticeably soft compared to the center and right side.

Sep 30, 2005

coffeecan
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Registered: Sep 12, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 0

Review Date: Sep 28, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: $620.00 | Rating: 10

Pros:	Excellent optic: good color, contrast, and sharpness edge to edge. Build quality is top notch. Gasket protects DSLRs from dust and other nasties. makes a good walk around lens on 1.6 crop cameras, and with full frame opens up a whole new world.
Cons:	Would love for it to be a stop faster, but then I would also love a rocket car and a million dollars. :)

One of the best values in the canon line up. focus is fast and accurate, and it rarely hunts. This is a great range lens for a reduced frame camera covering 27-65mm, but unlike EF-s lenses gives you the flexibility to go to full frame.

Sep 28, 2005