20D w/ Canon 17-85 USM IS lens

[roadsclr]

Hello,

I am a proud new owner of 20D! I'm sure this will be the first of many questions to come. I purchased the 17-85 USM IS lens F4 - 5.6 as my everyday lens. I've noticed that when the camera is set to aperture priority I can not set the aperture below F5.6. Any ideas on what I'm overlooking? I thought that the widest opening would be F4.

Thank you!

[aggarcia]

This lense has its largest aperature at F4 to F5.6 depending on the lense's zoom position. It will be F4 @ 17 mm and slowly progresses to end up at F5.6 @ 85 mm. I do not have this lense so I can not tell you how much change to expect and where, but this non-constant aperature is common in zooms. Good Luck - enjoy your 20D and lense.

[kenyc]

What he said. I too just purchased the same camera a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. Lots to learn and relearn though...

Good Luck,
KAC

[roadsclr]

Thanks to both of you for your assistance. I'll experiment more later today!

[badrotation]

The 4 is the low end (zoomed all the way out) the 5.6 is with the lens zoomed all the way in. the biggest possible arperture will change as the zoom changes.