Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens was introduced back in May 2006. It is the best EF-S lens that Canon makes so far. And it is the most expensive EF-S lens too. It is sharp, fast, fixed f/2.8 aperture and come with 3-stop Image Stabilizer (IS). It is the best general/multi purpose lens. It mounts at my Canon EOS 400D Digital body most of the time.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens

Specifications
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture - 17-55mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction - 19 elements in 12 groups
Diagonal Angle of View - 78°30′ - 27°50′
Focus Adjustment - AF with full-time manual
Closest Focusing Distance - 1.15 ft. / 0.35m
Zoom System - 5-group helical zoom (front group moves: 27mm)
Filter Size - 77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight - 3.3 in. x 4.4 in., 22.8 oz. / 83.5mm x 110.6mm, 645g (lens only)

It does not come along with hood and case like other L lens for this expensive lens. Therefore, I bought a cheap hood from eBay to attach to it.

Zoom out with hood attached.

I love the Image Stabilizer very much. It helps a lot in low light environment. I can take shot at even as slow as 1/8 s. A great help on places that flash is not allowed like museum. Besides IS, the sharpness of the lens also makes me love it so much. With fixed f/2.8 aperture, you can take a nice portrait too when zoom to 55mm. Its focus speed is fast due to ring type USM. It is a great lens to own but you have to pay for its price.

Below are some photo samples taken with Canon EOS 400D Digital.

f/3.5 1/60 ISO 100

f/2.8 1/20 ISO 800

f/2.8 1/30 ISO 400

f/2.8 1/30 ISO 400

f/2.8 1/30 ISO 400

f/4 1/1600 ISO 100

f/2.8 1/60 ISO 100

f/2.8 1/20 ISO 400

f/2.8 1/8 ISO 1600

f/2.8 1/30 ISO 400

Conclusion
You will love Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. It is fast and suitable to use in almost any environment. The best general/multi purpose lens for me.

Buy Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens at B&H Photo Video

Related topics:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens Review

Tags: 17-55, 2.8, Canon, EF-S, general, IS, lens, portrait, USM