17 - 40 mm f4.0 L lens on 1000D body

[hongkie]

Cropped body, no IS. F4 . Prepare to pump your ISO to the max if you expect sharp pictures at night with the expense of grainy quality. The good thing about 17-40mm is the red ring and its build and lastly, its superior sharpness even at 17mm.

 

[raydio]

I am surprised at the negativity towards the 17-40. I quite like that lens. Regardless, I agree with the posters above... a 17-40 is not an ideal lens for a crop. Best to go with a UWA. Great examples are:

1. Canon 10-22
2. Sigma 10-20
3. Sigma 8-16
4. Tokina 11-16

All the above are excellent lenses and have been rated highly for various reasons. Each would be superior to a 17-40 on a crop especially for landscape photography.

 

[obfuscate]

Just get the 17-40mm, the focal length it offers will fulfill most of your shooting needs. On top of this, the lens does not extend nor does the front element of the lens revolve when focussing. In terms of sharpness, there isn't a significant degree of difference between this lens and the 17-55mm. What the 17-55mm offers is faster/shorter shutter speeds all other things being equal. Regardless of whichever lens you get, buy a flash and an omnibounce equivalent to get past the low light situations. If flash cannot be used, get the Sigma 30mm f1.4.

 

[horizon8]

I've brought my 17-40 to Europe for 14 days and just returned. It has been a great walk about lens for me. Light, smooth and fast and accurate USM focusing and sharp. Close up shots are fantastic even at F4. though some might be particular at Bokeh-ness effects. Whenever it comes to shooting at night, I'm on 17-40 because it offers me a decent constant aperture at F4. I wasn't particular with IS becos i just need to pump my ISO slightly higher to achieve that quality which is perfectly fine becos my body can handle that. Daytime I usually compliment with my 18-135 for that reach and capturing candid moments.

Conditions wise certain parts of Europe was snowing esp when I brought it up to the Swiss Alps. A no. of times my lens and body was exposed to snow and rain. though as much as I try to cover it with my pull over. Thats where the weather seal of the lens comes in handy. There wasn't a moment of condensation when I step into a warm building. Although you don't test the limit of your equipments. I normally brush off the snow and wipe the condensation with a cleaning cloth.

I'm more of a landscape person that's why I enjoy this lens. Thinking of upgrading to the 17-55mm but then won't be for now. Just my 2 cents worth. Enjoy!

 

[Chrissp]

TS, a lens is overkill only if you bought it and don't use it. Many have already provided you with good advice and suggestions but ultimately, you need to decide. Just don't, don't get a lens just because there's a red band around it. Ask youself this: if the 17-40 is not a designated L lens and given its specs, is it what you want and need? If yes, buy it and enojy it. If not, consider other options.

 

[NewbietoPro]

Keep your kit lens. It's good seriously.
Get a tokina 11-16mm f2.8 for landscape instead.

 

[evilorgi]

i think you are more into the L and the red ring than the actual usage of the lens... to be frank, i was once like you while i was using a 450D... in the end i found that 17-40L, despite being a L lens, still doesnt fulfill my needs for a fast lens! i would advise you get 17-55 f2.8, it's a way faster lens and sharp wide open as well.. well, for this the only consideration might be non L as well as slightly pricier... haha!

 

[yapye]

Hi thanks for all your advice, i downloaded the canonsglens app and saw the huge difference in field of view between the efs 10-22mm and the 17-40mm L lens. Its really a very big difference. will get the 10-22mm lens

 

[Halfmoon]

10-22mm is a great and very sharp lens!!! Hope you will enjoy it!!!

 

[sanfong]

For crop body user, TS. Please stick to your options only to xbody lenses unless you are very sure one day you will upgrade soon.

There are great range of 3rd party lenses for xbody and they are lenses are L grade at half of the prices. Do pamper yourself with the choices. I have stick to 50D with Tamron 17-50 f2.8 for almost 2 years, and I have Tokina FE 10-17 and Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 as well. And the new Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VC and Sigma 10-20 f3.5 are better than Canon's 17-55 f2.8 and 10-22.

Right now I dun have the luxury of choices as I have upgraded to Canon FF and its better to stick L lenses to it.

 

[terencechung]

Hey TS, im using 1000D and own the lens too.

I am using that as my general purpose lens and so far so good to me. Just get it and try.