Canon 17-85IS - anyone have one?

[Liz]

I'm going away - to Yugoslavia - for a week - leaving Sunday. It was a "surprise" gift so I'm thrilled! However, I just found out yesterday - so I'm a bit overwhelmed.

I'm trying to get a LOT of "stuff" (work mostly) done before I leave. However, I'm going to sell my 85mm/f1.8 which is basically new so I can purchased the 17-85 IS. I need the lens now, but will sell the 85mm when I return - and pay myself back.

I really need/want to take just one lens, and I've been looking at the 17-85 for a long time. I was just wondering if anyone has experience with this lens, and if you would tell me what you think - and maybe post a pic. I know to check the reviews, but it's always good to see what people you "know" think about it - and to see a pic.

Thanks so much!

Liz

[Arctirus]

I've got it and love it. In fact, there are very few instances that it leaves my camera. If I remember tonight I can email you a full sized jpg from it if you want or I can just post some smaller images from my website now.

This was shot with my 20D and the 17-85, untouched other than resizing.

[Liz]

I love this photo! I love the facial expressions, the uniforms, bike, the color is great. Perfect composition.

If I remember tonight I can email you a full sized jpg from it if you want or I can just post some smaller images from my website now.

Either ..... or both. I'd love to see more. Good color and quality are very important to me in buying a lens - this seems to have both....and no post processing is incredible.

Thanks! I'm going to order it!

Liz

[Arctirus]

You won't be disappointed and don't let anyone tell you that IS doesn't do anything on a lens of that range.

[Peter_AUS]

Liz, according the latest issue of EOS-Magazine, it is comparable with the 28-135 IS Lens which you have/had. It is in the same vein as the 17-40 L lens you have as well.

[Arctirus]

If you don't mind when you get back I'd like to see a comparison of the 17-40 and the 17-85 when you get back.

I tried to email you a photo tonight but I can only email you from the form on here. Could you PM me with your address?

[Liz]

I tried to email you a photo tonight but I can only email you from the form on here. Could you PM me with your address?

Done

If you don't mind when you get back I'd like to see a comparison of the 17-40 and the 17-85 when you get back.

Yes! The 17-40 is awesome. I absolutely LOVE this lens. The quality is incredible. It's my favorite.

Liz

[Liz]

Thanks Peter.

The 17-40 lens is awesome. The quality and color are unbeatable. I did like the 28-135 and I got some great results; however, the quality of the 17-40 beats it.

Liz

Liz, according the latest issue of EOS-Magazine, it is comparable with the 28-135 IS Lens which you have/had. It is in the same vein as the 17-40 L lens you have as well.

[Arctirus]

Thanks! I have to note, sorry everyone! I looked at the exif on the above photo and realized it was taken with my 70-200 F4.

[Liz]

Do you have any you could post - here - from the 17-85?

Thanks.

Liz

Thanks! I have to note, sorry everyone! I looked at the exif on the above photo and realized it was taken with my 70-200 F4.

[Arctirus]

Well I tried to send you a few full sized images last night but when I get to work this morning I saw that I got a failure notice back. Anyway, here are a few that I know I didn't PS.

WWII Event:



Church in Munich:



Building in Vienna:

[Liz]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to do all this - especially since you went through the trouble of having to post again here.

These are nice images, and I've been seriously considering this lens. I may have waited too long. I've been trying to call the different camera shops - mostly to no avail.

Liz

Well I tried to send you a few full sized images last night but when I get to work this morning I saw that I got a failure notice back. Anyway, here are a few that I know I didn't PS.

WWII Event:



Church in Munich:



Building in Vienna:

[tri3mast]

Liz,

The 17-85 IS is one awesome lens for the price and as one other poster said there are only a few instances that it leaves my camera.

On a recent self-assignment to the Trenton (Canada) RCAF museum I had the opportunity to photograph the restoration in progress of the Halifax bomber.

All the exposures where hand held at 1/8th and produced amazing sharpness, sharp enough that I could see each rivet on the fuselage when at 100% and the prints where amazing.

If you are taking only one lens on your trip then please let it be this one and I know you will not be disappointed with the results.

Robert from Canada

[Peter_AUS]

A bit late I think, Liz is already travelling.

[tri3mast]

A bit late I think, Liz is already travelling.

Well Sir.

Maybe others can benefit from my experience with this lens.

I'm sure Liz, wasn't the only one reading this thread.

Just feeling my way around this forum, didn’t expect a backlash.

Cheers Mate

Robert from Canada

[Peter_AUS]

Sorry Robert, but I can't see how my comment could be seen as a backlash. I understand you are new to these forums, but please, don't read into my posts what isn't there. If you actually read Liz's original message, there was about a 5 day gap between the original date of the post and her intended leaving date for Bosnia-Hertzigovnia which was the following Sunday.

Yes others might benefit from your info as well, but you could also post a review about the lens as well in the review section and maybe score a prize for the best review as well.