17-55mm IS 2.8

Just opened a package from B & H. The 18-55 kit lens looks like a toy next to this thing. I am looking forward to using this lens to take pictures of the changing Fall landscape. I also purchased a B & W professional polarizing filter (KSM) for the lens. Does this lens have a sweet spot for the sharpest pictures?

Congratulations!

All lenses have a sweet spot, but the 17-55 f/2.8 is very sharp even wide open. When I got mine I shot an ISO 12233 resolution chart at various apertures and found it was sharpest at f/5.6, but f/4 was really just as sharp. Tiny difference. And f/2.8 was again a tiny bit softer.

The only real difference is at f/2.8, where the upper left corner is soft because of curvature of field. Not the other three corners, though. This was on my particular copy of the lens and there will certainly be variations between copies.

Basically, I set aperture for light conditions and desired DOF, not worrying about sharpness. If it's at f/2.8, it's still very very sharp.

-js

I have the Nikon version (just got it) and I can tell you the thing is a best. I now know why it's called a brick.

There's a nikon version of a canon lens? haha, okay.
And the 17-55 IS is actually quite a light-weight in my opinion.
Like number six said, I'm sure it has a sweet spot, but it's really pretty good in all its range and aperture. You should be happy with any combination of focal length and aperture it can dish out.

Congrats Chuck, . . the 17-55 ROCKS ~ there are many haters who talk smack (dust and other silly negatives) to justify not ponying up for the best non-L L in the stable.

Careful though Cowboy, . . the IQ and speed is a gateway drug ~ and after you become totaly hooked (you probably are already!) the next step is the the only other lens needed in a 2 lens crop kit: 70-200 MK II. Since you have already shown a willingness to pay the piper for the real deal, you might as well start putting the $20's in the dream jar now.

Congrats!!! LOVE mine. Never once worried about a sweet spot. It is all sweet.

I have a 70-200 F4L IS. I will start putting the twenties in the jar for a 10-22mm. Than it will be time for some primes. Need to invest in gear before I retire.

Its a great piece of gear. Use it however you need and it will not disappoint.

The hood is really big and when I am in a situation where space is a premium, or I know I will be in tight quarters, removing it helps quite a bit...

Enjoy!

javig999 wrote in post #13152693
Its a great piece of gear. Use it however you need and it will not disappoint.

The hood is really big and when I am in a situation where space is a premium, or I know I will be in tight quarters, removing it helps quite a bit...

Enjoy!

Speaking of hoods, the hood for the 17-55 from Canon is ridiculously expensive. I got a Chinese hood from an ebay vendor for $8, shipping free. It works just fine.

-js

CHUCK A wrote in post #13152114
Just opened a package from B & H. The 18-55 kit lens looks like a toy next to this thing. I am looking forward to using this lens to take pictures of the changing Fall landscape. I also purchased a B & W professional polarizing filter (KSM) for the lens. Does this lens have a sweet spot for the sharpest pictures?

Yes, this is a fabulous lens, and yes, the kit lens is a toy by comparison! Others spoke about the sharpness, comments which I essentially agree with. I wanted to add that that the color rendition and mid-tone contrast made possible with this lens will really allow your Fall landscapes to have excellent tonal relations.

Congratulations!

Razeus wrote in post #13152217
I have the Nikon version (just got it) and I can tell you the thing is a best. I now know why it's called a brick.

"The Brick" is the 24-70 f/2.8L which weighs a half pound more than the EF-S 17-55. Neither of them are all that heavy, though.

This is the lens that stays on my camera. I certainly use my other lenses, but in the bag ready to go this is the one on the camera. I have had it since 2007 and never been disappointed.

I've been using mine for a long time ... needle sharp!! No regrets.