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Hey
I was looking at upgrading len's sometime soon.

Atm I have a sigma 17-70 2.8-45, and was looking at the 17-50 2.8 IS

Im using a 30d.

Besides the obvious advantage of a constant 2.8 and IS, whats the image quality and focusing like on that lens?

Thank you

Hi, this thread caught my interest. I have just pulled the trigger on a 17-55 f/2.8 IS from photobuff.com to replace my 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS a few hours ago! I wasn't all that unhappy with the 17-85, in fact I am very grateful that quite a few decent outdoor shots of the kids turned out really well. I got the 17-55 because I am finding that the majority of my shots are indoors, and that the kids don't sit very still (and if so, not for very long).

By all accounts the 17-55 is sharp, accurate & quick. I am looking forward to receiving it in a day or 2, and will let you know how it goes if you wish. It doesn't come cheap though!

It is supposedly a supreme lens concerning image quality, but I haven't used one to comment first hand. Let us know if/when you buy one and post some photos.

Having this lens I find the focus is quick, the colors are nice, sharp, vibrant and offer good contrast. I find when I shoot in RAW for landscapes I had to do very little PP.

Not too fond of the build quality however. Pretty much plastic.

Here are some landscape shots with the lens when I was down in Forster

http://ronaldcorral.smugmug.com/gallery/2927666#157887484

Enjoy
Ron

I got lot of dust and possibly water inside the lens( no weather seal ),plastic built but it is my sharpest canon lens for general use, a lot of time I got good result even at 1/6 s the IS really work.

I received my 17-55 from photobuff very promptly 2 days ago. It is a bit bigger & heavier than my 17-85 f/4-5.6, and the build is quite similar. The zoom mechanism is a bit stiff, especially at the wide end of the barrel, but this is only a very very minor issue. The lens performs wonderfully, the USM is quick & responsive, IS works well, and overall it is sharp, accurate, and the aperture lets so much light in ! The only regret I have is not having bought it earlier.

I agree with drsnoopy2 I also have the Canon 17-55 IS and I find it very nice to use. I use it more now that my Canon 28 - 135 IS, which is also a nice lens, but not as sharp.