Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens Review

I've been testing the 17-40 L for the last month and it has shown to be an excellent lens for landscape photography on Maui as well as group portraiture. I'm amazed at the color rendition the lens provides without any post processing necessary. For the money, this is a great wide angle lens and a good intro to the quality of Canon's "L" glass.

Build Quality
The 17-40mm is a solid lens. After using the Canon 28-135mm IS lens and other more economical lenses like the kit lens and 75-300, it is easy to see the difference in the L lens category. I like that the zoom component is internal and the zoom and manual focusing rings turn so smoothly. The lens weighs in around the same or less than my 28-135 and feels amazingly light after using my 70-200mm IS all day.
Another plus is that the lens comes with a lens hood and a soft case. The lens hood is rather large, but apparently, this is necessary for wide angle lenses on a full frame sensor camera. But for those using 20 or 30D's and Rebels, a narrower hood can likely be substituted.

General Findings
While this lens gives photographers that wide end to capture group shots and landscape, you will also find it performs quite well just inches from the subject. I often use the lens right up next to my subject to create very unique angles, with very interesting results. I also have used the lens just inches away from flowers and other still life objects.

Shortcomings and Conclusions
As a walk-around lens, this may not be the best choice out there. I often find the desire for a bit more reach, and find myself changing lenses if available. If intended for mostly wide angle shots, it is a great "one-lens solution", but if you also enjoy candids and portraiture on your photo adventures, you may want something up to 85mm or more.
But the quality of color and sharpness and relative affordability of this L lens make up for any of these shortcomings! In the end, it is one of my most used lenses and always stays in my camera bag.


Fred miranda users give the lens an average rating of 8.9





From the Manufacturer
A new and affordable L-series ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that's ideal for both film and digital SLRs. Superior optics are assured by the use of three Aspherical lens elements, in addition to a Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass element. Optical coatings are optimized for use with digital cameras. This lens focuses as close as 11 inches (0.28m), and offers both Canon's full-time manual focus and a powerful ring-type USM for fast and silent AF. It has a constant f/4 maximum aperture, and offers the choice of screw-in 77mm filters or a holder in the rear of the lens for up to three gel filters. Finally, it offers weather-resistant construction similar to other high-end L-series lenses. About half the price of the 16-35 f/2.8 lens, this L-series lens has an entirely new optical design with three Aspherical elements and a Super UD-glass element. The combination provides superb contrast and sharpness, even at the widest settings. It’s ideal for both film and digital SLRs, and features the same weather-resistant design, rear gel filter holder, and high-speed Ultrasonic Motor as the EF 16-35mm lens.