Canon 17-55IS now in the USA

24-105mm IS L I would say.

Those lenses on the Powershot and video cameras are not called L lenses just referred to as having L lens quality.

Gerhard

Take a look at the link Rick posted a pge or so back; Canon most emphatically calls the lens for the PowerShot Pro 1 an L, complete with red ring.

And the other link above doesn't state that only lenses that will fit all Canon bodies can be L. It identifies qualities which contribute to a lens being L, but doesn't identify any one as essential. My guess is that they don't make EF-S L lenses because of possible confusion in the buying market, and because they expect that professionals, the target audience, want lenses that they can use without worrying about whether it'll fit on any particular camera. An EF-S L wouldn't meet that latter.

Friends, my test is complete, however it requires password. You can EMAIL me (no PM, I can only do 1 per minute) for it: http://www.pbase.com/l​ightrules/fourpoundsho​wdown . I'm sorry I've had to do it this way, but I think you'll "enjoy" the test.

Great job!!

The 17-55 is breathtaking.. it almost makes me wish I hadn't gone full frame! (and now that I've spent the $$, I can't turn back..)

Thanks JoJo. Mail sent.

Well done Master Ma, but I have to say other than the 17-85 IS they all look pretty similar. I reckon the 17-40mm L looks overall best buy for the cash and I really wouldn't pay the premium for the IS lens over the 18-50mm EX. Maybe my eyes are gone

Since we're talking about the whole, "why can't EF-S lenses be L lens" thing, I'll throw in my two cents.

First, L lens denotes a Pro class and there are no cropped Pro body. By pro body, I'm referring to 1DsMII and 1DMII that are currently available. So to me, it would make no sense to have a pro lenses that cannot fit a pro body.

Second, most of the new L lenses are weather sealed. This is of no use on cropped bodies as non of them are weather sealed.

There I've said it now, I feel much better.
LOL

Just saw the test. Thanks again.
I have three main sources of lens testers, PopPhoto, photozone.de, and jojo.
he he he, I still check out others but none are as methodical and comprehensive.