Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

Pros: IS, non-rotating filter mount, quiet operation, fast internal focus, 'lightweight', constant length focus

Cons: Maximum aperture only f4, somewhat expensive, no full-frame compatible, sharpness below fixed lens

The Bottom Line: Certainly the most versatile lens to date for Canon's dSLRs with weakness regarding sharpness and chromatic aberration.

Review: Most affordable digital SLR cameras like the D igital Rebel or E OS 20D sport a smaller image sensor (compared to 35mm film) and that translates into an 'unused' area that's covered by ...

Pros: IS, stationery front element, good range for walk around lens

Cons: Many have bad things to say about it, slow max aperature, C sized sensors only

The Bottom Line: The range on this lens makes it a great walk around lens. IS system allows hand holding at lower speeds. Some love it, some hate it.

Review: I've been staring at this lens for quite some time. I've read a LOT of reviews of this lens, some love it, some hate it. I suppose it comes down to whether you can replace the range of this lens with multiple bodies and multiple lenses or whether you ...

Pros: optical quality, IS, wide angle

Cons: cheap build quality, f4 aperture, slight electronic hum, lens hood

The Bottom Line: A good walkaround lens for the value.

Review: I bought the 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM lens bundled with a new Canon EOS 30d from B&H roughly 3 months ago. In these first few months, I've learned a number of things about this lens. Traditionally, I come from a background of 35mm film cameras and hard-metal ...

Pros: Phenomenal IS, 5x zoom range, USM.

Cons: High price. Slow aperture bad for people/pets. Didn't use IS as often as expected.

The Bottom Line: I liked this lens, but didn't love it enough to pay $600. For the same money, I got two other lenses that are more useful.

Review: The main feeling this lens gave me was indignation ... mainly at having to pay professional-level prices for amateur-grade optics. If you really need the image stabilization this is a decent choice, but if you don't (and it might be less useful thank ...

Pros: Nice zoom range covers just about everything I want to do - IS really works.

Cons: Quality control, weight. I'd have felt ripped-off if I'd paid $500 to $600.

The Bottom Line: If you need that zoom range and the IS is important to you, then buy it -- Just watch what you pay for it and inspect it carefully.

Review: I bought an XT in a kit with the EF-S 17-85mm. If I figure the body is around $850-$900, then I paid between $300-$400 for the lens, (yes, it was a good deal.) I had high hopes that this would be an ideal compromise for me, but I'm beginning to have some ...

Pros: great quality optics, image stabilizer, excellent range

Cons: low light flaws, expensive

Review: I bought it in a kit with Canon EOS 20D. At first eager to test the camera I took a few shots at home, using the built in flash. Of course I was not expecting great quality of the pictures with this small flashlight. The quality of the pictures was more ...

Pros: Lightweight and nice focal range

Cons: Price, soft pictures, and dark corners

Review: Bought the Canon 20D and 17-85mm (kit), tried it for 3 weeks, then decided I wanted the 24-70L. Sold it for a loss because it was after 7 days that NY camera stores allow on the return policy, remember this when buying. I took pictures with a Sony ...