My new EF 17-40 F4L and distance scale

Hi all,

Finally got round to getting myself this highly rated lens after working with the Kit lens on my old 300D for so many years. I'm just about to get the 24-105 F4L at the end of the month (pay day ) and the 70-200 F4L to complete the F4L trilogy, in the new year.

Sorry if this sounds like a newbie "L" question What is the distance scale for?

I thought it was supposed to show you the hyperfocal distance but it only moves when I rotate the aperture (focus) ring. It does not change when I change the focal length.

The weather is a bit dull and wet at the moment so I am stuck indoors. Any suggestions on what I can try out with the lens indoors? I've done some abstract/kitchen work with my kit lens, so I guess I could re-do them with my new F4L lens

I've noticed that the on board flash doesn't work with this lens as there is a shadow at the bottom of the picture. Arrggh!

I've also got to get myself a UV filter from what you all suggest to protect the front element.

I've also got to get a WA adaptor for my filter holder, 77mm is not cheap!!

AND I've got to buy a new flash gun!!

Phew!! Doesn't life seem to change when you get an "L" lens!? You have to virually upgrade all your accessories. Atleast I can share the 77mm polariser filter when I get the 24-105 F4L. But the 70-200 is 67mm.

I'm gonna need a new kit bag as well!!

Anyway, I'm hoping to get some new shots to show you all, before I end up having to re-kit myself from scratch.

Oh, and the 18-55 and 55-200 are going on eBay, if anyone is gonna want to buy them anyway!

You can't use the hood when using any on-camera flash (eeven the pop-up). You're going to love this lens. There's no comparison with the kit lens.

rammy wrote in post #2154223
Sorry if this sounds like a newbie "L" question What is the distance scale for?

I thought it was supposed to show you the hyperfocal distance but it only moves when I rotate the aperture (focus) ring. It does not change when I change the focal length.

Distance scale shows distance from the sensor plane to the subject. In other words, distance scale shows focused distance and can also be used to prefocus on desired distance. BTW, it is focusing ring, not aperture ring. EF lenses don't have aperture ring and aperture is set on the camera.

rammy wrote in post #2154223
I've also got to get myself a UV filter from what you all suggest to protect the front element.

If you want UV filter for protection, buy high quality multi-coated filter e.g. B+W MRC, Hoya SHMC etc.

JNunn wrote in post #2154314
You can't use the hood when using any on-camera flash (eeven the pop-up). You're going to love this lens. There's no comparison with the kit lens.

Thanks JNunn; so I can't use the lens hood with a speedlite also? I guess I would use flash indoors anyway (unless I need fill-in flash) so don't need the hood? Would fill-in flash still be okay? Probably not if subject is too close?

I've got that feeling you get when you know you are "about to fall in love". I'm sure when I get some shots I'll be on a natural high. How long did it take you guys to get over the "honeymoon period"

Thanks for the info and the correction Tiha, I use to have a Praktica film camera, which is probably where I keep confusing that other ring So can I just get this right in my head; I can use it to set it to a hyperfocal distance if I set a focal range of say 40mm, then I can just read the distance scale as I turn the focus ring to get the best front to back DOF?

I've got a HOYA polariser so I'll go for the Hoya UV filter you have suggested.

Brits, is there a quality difference between Jessops and Hoya? I guess there is cause of the price?

rammy wrote in post #2154470
So can I just get this right in my head; I can use it to set it to a hyperfocal distance if I set a focal range of say 40mm, then I can just read the distance scale as I turn the focus ring to get the best front to back DOF?

Yes, you can use it for setting hyperfocal distance if you know it. E.g. at 28mm and f/11 hyperfocal distance will be about 12 ft. Set 12 ft on the distance scale and at f/11 everything from 6 ft to infity will be in focus. Zoom lenses don't have marks for DOF but you can use DOF calculator like one at: http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

rammy wrote in post #2154223
Phew!! Doesn't life seem to change when you get an "L" lens!? You have to virually upgrade all your accessories. Atleast I can share the 77mm polariser filter when I get the 24-105 F4L. But the 70-200 is 67mm.
I'm gonna need a new kit bag as well!!

L stands for Luxury. So if you've got the luxury to buy the big boys, you should have no problem buying little accessories for them as well.
Good protector or uv filters aren't that expensive on e-bay. You can get hoya pro-1 series at 77mm for around $30-40. Now a good circular polarizer is a totally different situation. But seeing how you only need 1, the $100+ price tag can be somewhat justified (use a $6 step-up ring on your 67mm). Lowepro makes some good roomy bags at a decent price.

A speedlite will probably not be affected by the hood - mine isn't.

On-board flash is pretty much only good for small/ short lenes. i have used it for outdoor fill with my 17-40 - I think the shadow is accentuated by proximity to the subject.

If you like to use flash, you need a speedlite. the 430EX is excellent value , but I'm saving for the 580EX - hopefully I'll grow into it.

tiha wrote in post #2154493
Zoom lenses don't have marks for DOF but you can use DOF calculator like one at: http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

Thanks Tiha! That's what I wanted to understand. I wondered why it didn't have the DOF scale. I'll print out and laminate a grid of settings to keep in the bag.

Mxwphoto, that is some useful info, thanks: I didn't even think of a step up ring for the 70-200 Great! I bought the Hoya Pro Polariser at the same time as I got the 17-40 lens because I used it so much on the kit lens.

Jacobs Photo in the Uk are selling the 17-40 for 505 GBP (909 USD) if anyone out there wanted a reason to go out and get one, it was enough of a reason for me The 24-105 is now at 680 GBP (1224 USD) and the 70-200 is now at 480 GBP (864 USD).

Anyone know why the prices have come down so much, are Canon bringing out some new L lenses, per chance?

Wow.. the 17-40 is rather expensive in UK. I guess we're lucky here in the U.S. I can get one right now from B&Hphoto for $680 and get $45 rebate and if I buy 2 items, I can get $90 off for a total of $610. If you got a friend in the states, you might consider having him or her buy some of your future gear for you.
As for new L lenses, there's ALWAYS rumors of new ones, but we'll never know till every year's March and September rolls around.

Re filters, check out ebay, they're much cheaper. I always get mine (UV and CPL) from Hong Kong and I've had no problems.

Never buy things like filters from Jessops, they're a rip-off.

I had my 17-40 imported from the States and I still paid £430 for it!

JNunn wrote in post #2154314
You can't use the hood when using any on-camera flash (eeven the pop-up). You're going to love this lens. There's no comparison with the kit lens.

I agree about the pop-up... but speedlites are just fne.

Speedlites are the answer. Pop up only in an emmergency.

The 17-40 is my favorite landscape lens. I can't live without it now. It catches color so well. On FF, it's even better.

curiousgeorge wrote in post #2157193
Re filters, check out ebay, they're much cheaper. I always get mine (UV and CPL) from Hong Kong and I've had no problems.

Never buy things like filters from Jessops, they're a rip-off.

I had my 17-40 imported from the States and I still paid £430 for it!

Thanks for the info curiousgeorge. Can you help me with some importing? Where do you get your lenses from, do you order online and have them sent over? I want to get the 24-105 and 70-200 and would love to be able to get the bargain price you have acheived. Any info about importing them please? Do B&H in the US do exports to Uk and do I have to pay the import duty and VAT. I guess that is why lenses in UK are so much more than the states?

Thanks forkball and suzyview; so the speedlite is the one to go for. Is there much of difference between the 430 and 580? Go for the 580 I guess if price is ok?

i have the 4L trinity, and i do love it...however there are times that i wish i dished out the extra moolah for the 70-200 2.8L IS. or the 24-70 2.8L

and then there are times that i dont regret them...seeing the pics that come outta my camera...freaking sweet. the 17-40 is an awesome lens. truly god's gift to canon SLRs.


as for filters...shoots i picked up a B+W 77mm UV filter...was like 100$ T_T at least i think so...not sure i dont like to check the recipts sometimes...makes my wallet and bank account cry like a little gril. o.O

anyway happy shooting!

There's a seller, 123Fstop, who I have bought my two L lenses from. I got the 70-200 f4 for about £400. Search for his user ID on ebay and e-mail him, he can probably get what you want even if it's not in his shop. I tried to order a lens from Amazon USA but they won't export. Not sure about B&H but you're more likely to have to pay duty from these stores. 123Fstop pretty much guarantees no duty whereas some of the HK sellers say there's a chance of this, which is why I don't buy from there because the duty would make it not worthwhile. The other thing you need to think about is that you won't be able to return your lens if you're not happy, though it's fully covered by Canon UK warranty.