Canon 17-40

[mickeyjuice]

This was just posted in the aus.photo newsgroup.

I just noticed that Dirtcheapcameras have this lens on their web page priced at $1331. This seems to me to be very good value compared to buying from
overseas. It is almost the same as the USA price (US$800) converted to A$ and adding 10%GST.

Oh GREAT. Just what I needed to read :-)

(For reference purposes, that's the same price down here as the Sigma 15-30, although I can buy the Sigma for about AU$300 less if I buy it from the US.)

Am tempted to grab this ASAP, and modify my plans by ditching the idea of buying both the 15-30 and the 24/28-70 in favour of the 17-40, as I'm already getting the 50mm.

===========================

Current plan: (buying from Delta Int.)

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX
Sigma EX 24/28-70 2.8
Canon 50mm 1.4
Sigma 70-210mm f/2.8 (already owned)
550EX Speedlite
SIGMA 1.4 X APO EX EXTENDER
Canon Remote Shoe cord 2

===========================

Maybe new plan: (buying from Delta Int.)

Canon EF 17-40 F4.0L (buying locally)
Canon 50mm 1.4
Sigma 70-210mm f/2.8 (already owned)
550EX Speedlite
SIGMA 1.4 X APO EX EXTENDER
Canon Remote Shoe cord 2

===========================

The above plans work out to the same cost in AU$ for me.


PROS:

Can get it now, rather than waiting a couple of months to get the lot from Delta International. (Have to get it in one hit because of shipping/customs charges.)

One less lens to be carting around.

Won't have as much to worry about regards the exchange rate falling before I can buy...

Will have a local warranty for it.

Is a Canon "L" lens :-)


CONS:

Isn't as wide as the Sigma 15-30

Doesn't open up as far as the Sigma 3.5 - 4.5




Did I miss any pros/cons?

Anything else I should be thinking about?

Any general comments on the thoughts re lenses in general?

I've read a bit about the 17-40 on the web but I'm after some more opinions from this group as well.

[justme_dc]

I don't know how much it matters to you but there is a gap in the covered focal lengths From 51mm to 69mm with option 2. It is missing 2mm on the wide end as well. Having no idea what your shooting style or subjects usually are I can't say if this will effect you. As to the half stop of light on the sigma you gain it on the wide end and lose it as you zoom so I think that kind of cancels itself out as a reason to choose it or not. I have seen some great results from Sigma glass on this and other forums. I buy only canon glass but that is just me. I will say that on the 10D the zooms I used the most were the Canon 24-70L and the 70-200L. It seems that you have both of those ranges covered in option 1. It's a tough call.

[Steve Barnhart]

I purchased a 17-40 F4.0 L a few weeks ago, and am very impressed with its sharpness and handling characteristics. I plan to use it as my primary lens for wedding photography. I haven't compared it to a 24-70, but quite frankly its good enough for my purposes!

Steve Barnhart
Barnhart & Barnhart Digital Studio
Athens, GA

[CyberDyneSystems]

Miccullen,

It looks like Plan B is the way to go! I can't beleive the small gapswill be much of a factor.


Hmm $800.00 US for that 17-40???? I don't have anything at the wide end of the spectrum yet,.. (been looking at the Sigmas too) ...and I think its about time I got some Canon glass on this 10D...


//scratching chin :D

[Jeppe]

miccullen wrote:

CONS:

Isn't as wide as the Sigma 15-30

Doesn't open up as far as the Sigma 3.5 - 4.5




Oh... its ½ a step... that wont make a difference... What WILL make a difference is that the Sigma will change Aperture/Shutter when changing focal length, now that might be an cosidaration...

Also.. The Sigma (when tested by a magazine) showed up as 16mm on the VA end. The Canon showed up as 17mm, so its really just 1mm..

Also, you could save some bucks on getting a sigma EF 500 DG Super (almost same as 550EX). Got one and it will give you great flash-images. Also.. you really wanna spend all that money on an 50/1.4.. I went with the 1.8.. Plastic? Yepp.. But does it deliver? Hell yeah!

So get the EF 17-40...

Oh.. by the way.. Im not shure that your Sigma 70-210/2.8 will work on a 10D.. If that is your housing..

[CyberDyneSystems]

70-210 may need to be "re-chipped" by Sigma. Unless he is referring to the 70-200 EX,.. ?

Anyways its a crap shoot but at worst Sigam will upgrade it for free :)

I absolutely LOVE my Sigma 70-200 f/2.8
It ROCKS and cost half what the Canon cost.