EF 17-40 vs EFS 17-55

[amaninus]

Hi all,

If I am using a 350D, should I get EF 17-40mm f/4L USM or EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM?

I am using a Tamron 17-50 now. Thought of "upgrading" to a canon lens.

Thanks for the advice in advance.

[Kit]

If you don't know which one to "upgrade" to then I suggest you hold that thought until you can answer that question yourself.

[Redsun]

IMHO the tamron 17-50 is a pretty good lens

[amaninus]

Originally Posted by Kit If you don't know which one to "upgrade" to then I suggest you hold that thought until you can answer that question yourself.

Actually wanted to get the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. Fancy the f2.8, IS & USM, but its not a L lens. The EF 17-40 is a L lens, but does not hv IS and F4 max. Is it true that the L lens is a weather proof lens and will have a higher resale value?

[Kit]

Originally Posted by amaninus Actually wanted to get the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. Fancy the f2.8, IS & USM, but its not a L lens. The EF 17-40 is a L lens, but does not hv IS and F4 max. Is it true that the L lens is a weather proof lens and will have a higher resale value?

Why is having IS, USM AND f2.8 useful to you?
Why does it have to be an L lens?
Do you think you need all those?
Do you shoot in rain very often?
If the resale value is your concern, spend your money somewhere else.

If you are asking those kind of questions, you don't need to upgrade at all.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by amaninus Actually wanted to get the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. Fancy the f2.8, IS & USM, but its not a L lens. The EF 17-40 is a L lens, but does not hv IS and F4 max. Is it true that the L lens is a weather proof lens and will have a higher resale value?

Yes. The 17-40 is weather-sealed but currently the 17-55 has a higher resale value due to f/2.8 and IS. But i find the 17-55 soft at f/2.8.

[lordpain]

if ure using a 350d. the weather seal for L lens is useless to u.

[amaninus]

Originally Posted by Redsun IMHO the tamron 17-50 is a pretty good lens

Hi, agree that its a good lens. But thought that the IS may help when I m in 50mm.

[amaninus]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle Yes. The 17-40 is weather-sealed but currently the 17-55 has a higher resale value due to f/2.8 and IS. But i find the 17-55 soft at f/2.8.

Hi, are u using the 17-40L? Is the F4 causing any problems when you shoot at home during nite time without flash? (pardon my ignorance, my kit lens shutter opens quite long when in F4)

[amaninus]

Originally Posted by lordpain if ure using a 350d. the weather seal for L lens is useless to u.

Hi, I m still learning this hobby. Hope I won't cause any flaming.
I thought dust present inside the lens will be minimised if the lens is weather seal?

[dRebelXT]

Originally Posted by amaninus Hi, agree that its a good lens. But thought that the IS may help when I m in 50mm.

50mm already hands shake meh?
i can easily get 1/20 at 40mm.. on 350D also.

[peapilot]

If you intend to stick with EFS mount then go for the 17-55 f2.8 IS USM. Build quality is excellent, resale value not lacking compared to 17-40 F4L.

Advantages of course includes 2.8 aperture, IS, and wider focal range. Disadvantage is the price and the fact that it's not compatible with cameras like the 5d or the 1 series.

[amaninus]

Originally Posted by dRebelXT 50mm already hands shake meh? i can easily get 1/20 at 40mm.. on 350D also.

Hi, so actually the IS doesn't really help?
I normally take photos indoor & nite time. Have not really try out zoom until 50mm.

[chopper]

Originally Posted by amaninus Hi, so actually the IS doesn't really help? I normally take photos indoor & nite time. Have not really try out zoom until 50mm.

Poor guy, ask some innocent question, kena all kind of funny answers... How helpful these people are.

Actually, my suggestion is also stick to your 17-50, it's f2.8, it's sharp. IS will buy you sharper image due to handshake, not people movement. If your night shots are buildings, street scenes, the IS helps. If your night shots are party, people shots, IS doesn't help. And in either case, F4 is going to be worse off for you compare to your f2.8 now.

My personal advice, stick to a lens for at least 1-2 years, explore it as much as you can, until you know HOW the lens is limiting your photos boundaries, then you know WHY you need to upgrade.

Hope this helps.

[JoeJerry]

Originally Posted by chopper Poor guy, ask some innocent question, kena all kind of funny answers... How helpful these people are. Actually, my suggestion is also stick to your 17-50, it's f2.8, it's sharp. IS will buy you sharper image due to handshake, not people movement. If your night shots are buildings, street scenes, the IS helps. If your night shots are party, people shots, IS doesn't help. And in either case, F4 is going to be worse off for you compare to your f2.8 now. My personal advice, stick to a lens for at least 1-2 years, explore it as much as you can, until you know HOW the lens is limiting your photos boundaries, then you know WHY you need to upgrade. Hope this helps.

Wise guy

[amaninus]

Originally Posted by peapilot If you intend to stick with EFS mount then go for the 17-55 f2.8 IS USM. Build quality is excellent, resale value not lacking compared to 17-40 F4L. Advantages of course includes 2.8 aperture, IS, and wider focal range. Disadvantage is the price and the fact that it's not compatible with cameras like the 5d or the 1 series.

I see. like what u say, its not compatible with 5D or 1 series, I m not saying that I will upgrade to these full frame bodies, but who knows? Just want to be safe and don't want to get stuck in a situation where I cannot change to 5D. This is part of the reason for my concern on the resale value.

Upgrading of the body is not possible at the moment as I feel that I need the lens more than the body. F2.8 really help me take piictures of my son easier. Before all the advice from this thread, I was worried that the quality of the 17-55 may be compromised. Having dust inside the lens is my other concern.

[Kit]

Originally Posted by chopper ....... If your night shots are buildings..... the IS helps.......

Stopping down to at least f8 at around 7:30 at night, at ISO 100 would land yourself in the region of speed of around 8secs to 15secs, even longer. Assuming your latest IS technology gives you 3 stops(Canon's claim), you would still be using about 2secs. Woould love to see those 2secs handheld shots in 10x15 prints.....

[amaninus]

Originally Posted by chopper Poor guy, ask some innocent question, kena all kind of funny answers... How helpful these people are. Actually, my suggestion is also stick to your 17-50, it's f2.8, it's sharp. IS will buy you sharper image due to handshake, not people movement. If your night shots are buildings, street scenes, the IS helps. If your night shots are party, people shots, IS doesn't help. And in either case, F4 is going to be worse off for you compare to your f2.8 now. My personal advice, stick to a lens for at least 1-2 years, explore it as much as you can, until you know HOW the lens is limiting your photos boundaries, then you know WHY you need to upgrade. Hope this helps.

Hi, the tamron really makes the picture a lot sharper than my kit lens. =D

in fact, I use this lens to take picture of my son most of the time. I use to think that the IS helps the moment i hold the camera and click away. Even better when I zoom.
This is a learning thread. Your info helps me understand IS better now. Thanks

[Halfmoon]

Originally Posted by chopper Poor guy, ask some innocent question, kena all kind of funny answers... How helpful these people are. Actually, my suggestion is also stick to your 17-50, it's f2.8, it's sharp. IS will buy you sharper image due to handshake, not people movement. If your night shots are buildings, street scenes, the IS helps. If your night shots are party, people shots, IS doesn't help. And in either case, F4 is going to be worse off for you compare to your f2.8 now. My personal advice, stick to a lens for at least 1-2 years, explore it as much as you can, until you know HOW the lens is limiting your photos boundaries, then you know WHY you need to upgrade. Hope this helps.

Dear Choppper.....

Very good advice.... it make me think about my lens too............

[amaninus]

hey guys,

Thanks for all the prompt replies, guidance and comments. I appreciate them.

Thanks.