17-55 IS issues *rant warning*

Well, I figure I'll vent my frustrations a little bit.....

Last night I was doing some shooting around the house and noticed that my 17-55 wasn't focusing properly. It would not lock on focus and was hunting quite a bit. I thought this was odd, especially since I was using strobes and there was plenty of lighting in the room.

The lens has been such a good performer that I actually assumed it was my 40D that was having problems, so I threw on my other lenses and tried them out. Even my 50mm f/1.8 was focusing better! I tried my Sigma 70-200 as well and it locked on perfect every time. I took off the lens, cleaned the contacts, etc. to no avail. The lens would not lock focus and if I put it in Ai-servo it would rack back and forth continuously.

I guess I'm expecting a lot from a lens that I bought used for $850, but I assumed that it would perform up to spec. under the light use that I have put it under. The build quality isn't the best for the cost really, and I wish that canon would have implemented the new EF-S build quality like that of the 15-85 earlier so it would be in this lens. It's not as bad as my 28-135 was, but it's hard to get worse than that... I am easy on my gear and always keep it stored in my bag when not in use. This is truly a shame, because this has been my favorite lens to date and when it's on it's awesome. Here's hoping that it comes back performing flawless as usual.

sell it and get a 17-40 u'll miss the is and the 2.8 but build quality and reliability will be there

From things i've seen here, IS an USM problems are common with this lens

You're right on the build, the 17-55 is just built WAY too cheap for its intended market and price bracket, it simply cant cope with the use that most users of it put it through...

This is a shame, it really is a good lens..just needs an update with better build

Me and a few others speculate they might update it soon, a new 15-55 f/2.8 IS would be epic

wrussi wrote in post #10256781
sell it and get a 17-40 u'll miss the is and the 2.8 but build quality and reliability will be there

It's tempting for the build, but I'd really miss both the f/2.8 and the IS. That makes the 17-55 the most versatile lens on crop IMO, even with the iffy build quality. I also like having the extra 10mm on the long end for portraits.

KenjiS wrote in post #10256790
From things i've seen here, IS an USM problems are common with this lens

You're right on the build, the 17-55 is just built WAY too cheap for its intended market and price bracket, it simply cant cope with the use that most users of it put it through...

This is a shame, it really is a good lens..just needs an update with better build

Me and a few others speculate they might update it soon, a new 15-55 f/2.8 IS would be epic

Yeah, pair better build quality with a 4 stop IS system and it would be a total beast. I was really impressed by the 15-85, but I like having the f/2.8 for dof.

I'm sorry to hear that. I've used mine in poor lighting, dragged it around several national parks exposed to the elements, tossed in bags and back seats, etc but always had great results with it. Mine was purchased used as well.

Sounds like you sent it to Canon. Hope they get it working right for you. It is an excellent lens, and maybe not as fragile everyone seems to believe.

go spam somewhere else dude.

To my way of looking at it, this lens has nothing to recommend it. The price point is way to high for a lens with it's build quality and the fact it's an EF-S. If I'm going to spend that kind of money on a lens, I'm going to get one that fits on all my cameras...

NaKiD EyE wrote in post #10256880
go spam somewhere else dude.

???

JWright wrote in post #10256929
To my way of looking at it, this lens has nothing to recommend it. The price point is way to high for a lens with it's build quality and the fact it's an EF-S. If I'm going to spend that kind of money on a lens, I'm going to get one that fits on all my cameras...

If there was something equivalent with an EF mount, I definitely would have purchased it. For the flexible FL range, maximum aperture, IS, and optical quality, I don't know that there is an equivalent. For a FF camera the 24-105 is close, but on a crop body that lens wouldn't have nearly the width and you lose an aperture stop.

Honestly, despite having a 10-22, 50mm, and 70-200, the 17-55 was the lens that was on my XSi 95% of the time.

If they ever do come out with a 24-70 with IS, I'll definitely be getting it for my 5D2.

JWright wrote in post #10256931
???

There was a lump of spam on the board but a mod must have scooped it up.

maybe your copy needs some TLC?

FWIW; my 17-55 has been performing flawless on my 40D since i got it new 2 years ago.


J.

charliec wrote in post #10257018
If there was something equivalent with an EF mount, I definitely would have purchased it. For the flexible FL range, maximum aperture, IS, and optical quality, I don't know that there is an equivalent. For a FF camera the 24-105 is close, but on a crop body that lens wouldn't have nearly the width and you lose an aperture stop.

Honestly, despite having a 10-22, 50mm, and 70-200, the 17-55 was the lens that was on my XSi 95% of the time.

If they ever do come out with a 24-70 with IS, I'll definitely be getting it for my 5D2.

You will not loose an aperature stop with a 24-105mm on a crop camera. It's still a 4.0 max no matter what camera you use it on.

Sell it, get an ultrawide, mid length prime or two, and a tele (assuming you have at least two of these already) and never look back.

CanonGarcon wrote in post #10257385
You will not loose an aperature stop with a 24-105mm on a crop camera. It's still a 4.0 max no matter what camera you use it on.

I think what he meant was losing a stop going from f/2.8 (17-55) to f/4 (24-105).