The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ($1,179 direct) is the top-end standard zoom lens for Canon APS-C cameras . Rebel D-SLRs are generally bundled with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens that, while quite sharp, has a relatively slow f-stop, often requiring you to use the camera's flash in dimmer...

Big; Expensive; Soft at 55mm

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ($1,179 direct)  is the top-end standard zoom lens for Canon APS-C cameras. Rebel D-SLRs are generally bundled with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II  lens that, while quite sharp, has a relatively slow f-stop, often requiring you to use the camera's flash in...

This digital-only, 27-88mm equivalent ($1,000, street) is a pro-caliber upgrade of Canon's popular 17-85mm amateur Image Stabilizer lens ($515, street). It has the hallmarks of Canon's professional, full-frame L-series (solid construction, aspheric elements, UD glass).

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM was announced in early 2006. The lens is designed to fit APS-C type cameras and has a reduced imaging circle with protruding back element which would cause mirror clearance issues if used on a full-frame camera.

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens, with a fast, fixed f/2.8 aperture, very high image quality , 3-stop Image Stabilization and a very popular focal length range, is one of the best general purpose lenses available .

Despite lacking the L branding this lens is a good quality item of kit, as indicated by its price. The build quality feels right with all the switches and rings having that positive smoothness of operation to them.

Good build quality with smooth operations; Excellent Image Stabilisation; Good image quality; Popular Filter size

Expensive with no-upgrade path; Distortion at the longer focal length; Slightly bulky for focal range

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens is a fast lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, so you can use it to obtain a shallow depth-of-field or help with reasonable exposures in lowlight situations.

As mentioned the lens is not a designated L grade lens and while this may not be really obvious based on the naked specifications it does show up with respect to its build quality.

Dont get me wrong, this is optically fantastic, its like having a bag full of primes on your camera. My list of cons is long and I'm being very picky with them - but the zoom creep is the most troublesome for me.

Stunning image quality (wide angle distortion excepted), f2.8, IS, super fast focussing, good size and weight; DPP lens profile to correct distortion

For the very high "L" level pricing it should have better build quality; not suffer chronic zoom creep; not have so much distortion at 17mm; and it should be weather sealed

This lens while being a bit expensive is worth every penny. While being extremely sharp and a constant 2.8 this lens is above any 17-50 lens out there in its class.

Constant 2.8 throughout the whole zoom range

Nothing