A quality modern mid range zoom for 1.6x crop with all the bells and whistles, constant F2.8, IS & USM. A bit soft at wide end at 2.8 which becomes sharper at f4. Like to see this lens upgraded to L quality for around the same price. Shoots good images but so does the 17-85 at f4.

Good images; IS; mid range zoom

Little Soft wide @2.8

The 17-55mm is on my camera 90% of the time. I love this lens! I highly recommend this to every Canon crop sensor camera owner from entry level to semi-Pro (EOS 7D) who are after image quality. This lens can produce the output quality of an L lens (i.e.

- Fast and bright f/2.8 aperture with IS and USM; No other lens in the Canon EFS Line up can match this (so far) - Sharp pictures wide open from edge to edge (best @ f/5.6 up to f/11 if focusing is done correctly).

- Not weather sealed - Can be susceptible to dust accumulation in front element (if reviews in the net are to be believed); I don't put UV filters on my lenses, but for this lens I didn't want to risk the lens collecting dust, a filter will complete the dust sealing.

Amazing image stabilisation that didnt work on a 550D but worked PERFECTLY on a 7D - easily best lens for EF-S - don't hesitate, just get one! Slightly too heavy, but will have to get used with it...

This large-aperture EF-S Series standard zoom lens features an optical system consisting of 19 lens elements in 12 groups. A class Canon lens, this is one on the expensive side. A great upgrade lens, pictures taken will be crisp clear.

This large-aperture EF-S Series standard zoom lens features an optical system consisting of 19 lens elements in 12 groups. A class Canon lens, this is one on the expensive side. A great upgrade lens, pictures taken will be crisp clear.

This is an excellent lens! The image quality with is lens is brilliant even wide open at f/2.8. The focus is very fast and quiet and It has full-time manual focus. The image stabilisation comes in handy when shooting hand held. What more could you want?

Superior build quality; Super-sharp images; Fast auto-focus

Great lens, takes sharp pictures, great low light quality. Kind of expensive, but cheaper than L class. Heavy, but good heavy(glass).

Consistent Output; Easily Interchangeable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Nice Bokeh

Expensive; Heavy

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...

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

Takes fantastic "L" quality shots. I can finally get wide shots up close. The only downside is the build quality. It isn't top of the line for ruggedness. I've heard that dust can get I side the lens, but I haven't had any issues myself. Overall I'm extremely happy with this lens.