Canon EF 17-40 mm f/4.0 L USM Ultra-Wide Angle Canon EF Zoom Lens - Black

I recently got a used Canon EF 17-40 mm f/4.0 L USM Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens, and I’m so glad I did! It’s been my favorite lens, I gave my previous one to a friend for her realtor business. Even though it’s used, it works perfectly and delivers super sharp, beautiful images.The ultra-wide angle is awesome for landscapes and architecture, and the build quality is rock solid—exactly what you’d expect from Canon’s L-series. The autofocus is quick and accurate, and the colors and contrast are on point. I’ve used it in all kinds of lighting, and it never disappoints.If you’re after a high-quality ultra-wide zoom, this lens is a great choice. Really happy I found it used at a great price!

I pretty much exclusively shoot landscape shots on a Canon 5D Mk II and had previously used a 24-105mm L f/4. Now, the 24-105 is an excellent all-round lens, but at 24mm it has massive barrel distortion - this is well known - so I usually have to correct this distortion if there's any kind of straight-line horizon in shot, which obviously affect the quality of the pixels even with the most sophisticated lens correction software. This hasn't really bothered me that much except on a few shots which I'd really have liked the crispness to have been retained at source instead of using faux sharpness with the sharpness filter.So, when I got this lens I did so specifically to use it at the 20-24mm range, not the 17mm side of things (as zoom lenses often perform at their best when in the middle of their range). I did some extensive tests when I got it and can categorically state that at around 21mm there is practically ZERO distortion. In fact between 20-24mm distortion is negligible, and certainly not anything I'd have to correct (Yey!), but at 21mm it's just sublime as far as distortion goes.The 2nd surprise was how much sharper this lens is than the 24-105. I did side-by-side comparisons of some complex textures and this lens simply blows the 24-105 out of the water at around 24mm, especially at the sweet-spot of f/11, although it's still very usable at f/16, and certainly better than the 24-105 at the same apertures.Now, for my needs (which is quite specific in that I will only use this lens at around 24mm) it is a superb lens which I would find difficult to match even in a prime, and as I always use apertures of f/11 or smaller for my landscape work, the fact that it's an f/4 lens is of no odds to me.However, if you are buying this to use the 17mm side of things then I'm afraid that I can't really comment on its use as that's not why I bought it. Similarly, if you are buying this as a general purpose zoom I'd reconsider because 17-40 is too narrow a zoom range and I'd suggest you go for the 24-105 instead for this case.As a 21mm-24mm landscape lens at f/11 or smaller though, it's hard to beat - and the price is excellent too.Oh, incidentally, before I bought this I bought the 16-35 MkII f/2.8 and at 21-24mm and f/11 this lens is actually superior. The 16-35 exhibited some distortion at that range whilst this one does not. So, I didn't buy this lens because I couldn't afford the 16-35 MkII, I bought it because it was the better lens for my personal (and specific) needs.

This is a superb lens optically but unfortunately has the position of the focus and zoom rings the opposite way around to all my other EF lenses which makes using it confusing to say the least.Images produced on my EOS 5D mkII are crisp with little distortion and good clear natural colour.

Like many people I purchased this lens as an upgrade to the kit lens. On a value comparison to the kit lens I would have only given this lens a 2 star rating, it is a lot more expensive and is not going to provide an earth shattering experience or turn you into a pro photographer. However, I am rating this in comparison to similar alternatives in its class, and as such it provides good image and build quality for less money than many other lenses of similar pedigrees. It's build quality is as good as it gets, and it has less weight and bulk than its f2.8 equivalents, particularly important as this is likely to be a lens that gets carried around a lot as opposed to something that gets used in the studio most of the time. It does not have IS, but for me this is not overly important in a wide angle. I think people rely on IS too much. It can be useful, but if you are photographing anything that moves you need a reasonably fast shutter speed anyway. If you are shooting subjects that don't move (still life, landscapes etc) then you should really be using a tripod. 40 years in professional photography have taught me that much.In conclusion, good lens at a reasonable price in its class. Won't turn you into a pro photographer, but might make you look more like one (definite “cool” factor when fitted to any Canon body). However, if you really feel the need for larger apertures or IS, then you should look at other alternatives.

Great lens. I bought it 6 years ago from Amazon, £140 cheaper than advertised here. Beware.

This is exactly what I was missing. I have a very modest collection of lenses and love a bargain so this is a big spend for me. I am very happy though. I have a 2nd hand full frame canon 5d and on it this lens is a superb super-wide angle. I also have a 550d and this lens becomes my absolute favourite walk around lens when mounted on this. The pictures I have taken so far with my 5d are better than I would have hoped, the colours, contrast and sharpness are sensational. The lens is quite light considering the excellent build quality, you know it is there but it's not killing my arms or shoulders even when on my 5d. I don't think I will need any other purchases for quite some time now for my camera (except maybe a nice thin filter to protect the glass).It seems some people may have received bad samples of this lens and this happened to me with some lenses in the past so I guess they are out there, however, all I can say is that I have received a cracker. I bought it straight through Amazon. With the £60 cashback from Canon it works out about £500 (at this time)