Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF

Review

The Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is a versatile zoom lens designed for Canon's APS-C sensor cameras, making it a popular choice among amateur and semi-professional photographers. With a focal length range equivalent to 27-136mm in full-frame terms, it’s well-suited for a variety of shooting scenarios, from landscape to portrait photography. Let's delve deeper into its features, performance, and usability.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is practical and functional. It has a compact form factor, allowing for ease of transport. The lens features a sturdy build, which feels solid in hand, but it does have a fair amount of plastic components. While this helps keep the weight down to around 1.14 lbs, it may not instill confidence in durability over time compared to more premium options.

The lens incorporates a smooth zoom ring coupled with a well-placed focus ring, making adjustments intuitive. However, the lack of weather-sealing means that it’s best to avoid shooting in harsh weather conditions to protect the internal elements.

Optical Performance

Optically, this lens provides a good balance of sharpness and color rendition. At the wide end, it performs admirably, with decent edge sharpness, although some distortion can be observed at 17mm. As you zoom into the longer focal lengths, the sharpness improves significantly, reaching peak performance around 50-70mm.

The lens is equipped with Image Stabilization (IS), which is quite effective in minimizing blur from camera shake, especially at slower shutter speeds. This feature proves incredibly beneficial for handheld shooting, particularly in low light scenarios. However, it's worth noting that the maximum aperture of f/4-5.6 is not particularly bright, which can limit performance in very dim conditions.

Autofocus System

The ultrasonic motor (USM) offers fast and near-silent autofocus, which is ideal for both stills and video. The focus accuracy is commendable, although the lens can sometimes struggle in low light conditions or with tracking moving subjects. Manual focus override is available by just rotating the focus ring, which is a nice touch for those who prefer more control over their adjustments.

Versatility

One of the standout features of the Canon EF-S 17-85mm is its versatility. Its focal length range covers a lot of ground, making it a fantastic all-in-one solution for travel photography, general-purpose shooting, and everyday use. Whether you're shooting wide landscapes or tight portraits, this lens can handle it all reasonably well.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Versatile focal range for various shooting scenarios.
• Effective Image Stabilization aiding in low-light conditions.
• Fast and silent autofocus thanks to the USM.
• Compact and lightweight design for easy handling.

Cons

• Build quality might feel less durable due to plastic components.
• Maximum aperture is on the slow side, limiting low-light performance.
• Distortion and edge softness at the widest end.

Verdict

Overall, the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is a solid lens that finds a sweet spot between performance and convenience, making it a great option for Canon photographers seeking an all-around zoom. While it has its shortcomings in terms of maximum aperture and some distortion, the lens compensates with effective stabilization and versatility. It’s a worthwhile addition for those who value flexibility in their lens choices.