mdougc wrote:
I have a Canon EFS 18-55mm lens, and I really like the zoom range. Of 4 lenses, it is my always-attached lens.
But I want a lens for higher quality, with zoom capability in that range. 90% of my photos are in the 20-40mm range.
So, I have looked at two lenses -
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L
But price is the issue.
Does anybody out there suggest a high quality lens that zooms somewhere around 18-55mm???
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is excellent ($800 new). Very sharp, fast focusing, well made with both f/2.8 aperture and IS. It is well corrected for distortions and uses UD glass to minimize
If you don't need the f/2.8 aperture and want a little wider range (more versatility?), the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is another superb choice ($800 new). Also quite sharp, fast USM focus, nicely wider than most lenses of this type.
Both these would actually be a better choice than either L-series you mention, in a number of ways. First, they have IS, which the 17-40mm lacks. Next, they both also offer better image quality than either of the L's you mention. And the 17-55mm is a stop faster than either of those L's. The 24-105mm (~$1000) also doesn't go as wide as you say you like to be able to shoot. There's a noticeable difference between 24mm and 20mm! The 15-85mm, OTOH, goes a bit wider than most lenses of this type. And the 17-55mm nearly matches your current "kit" (much lower build and performance quality). Some EF-S lenses might not have quite as good build quality or be as well sealed for dust/moisture resistance as an L-series lens... but higher-end EF-S USM such as these two really aren't very far behind, are pretty well built and reasonably well sealed, may even be better than some L-series.
17-55mm uses 77mm filters and has a 7-blade aperture (curved), 19 elements in 12 groups (two UD and three aspherical). It's IS is rated for 3 stops.
15-85mm uses 72mm filters and has a 7-blade aperture (curved), 17 elements in 12 groups (one UD, three aspherical). IS rated for up to 4 stops.
24-105mm uses 77mm filters and has an 8-blade aperture (curved), 18 elements in 13 groups (one UD, three aspherical). 3-stop rated IS.
24-105mm L II uses 77mm filters, 10-blade aperture (curved), 17 elements in 12 groups (four aspherical). 4-stop rated IS.
17-40mm L uses 77mm filters, 7-blade aperture (curved), 12 elements in 9 groups (one Super UD, three aspherical). No IS.
If there were such a thing as an EF-S "L-series", the17-55mm and 15-85mm would qualify... they both use exotic glass, like L-series must... they both are cutting edge, high performance design, like L-series are expected to be.
However, there's no such thing as an EF-S L-series and never will be. By Canon's own definition, all L-series must be compatible with all Canon EOS cameras past, present and future. Since EF-S lenses are only usable on the AP-C camera models, none of them will ever qualify to get a red stripe painted on them... even if they meet or exceed all other criteria for L-series and even out-perform some L-series. All L-series, by definition,
must be "EF" lenses.
If interested in either of these lenses and you want to save a bit, I'd recommend shopping refurbished at the Canon USA website or look for a good, used copy. While you might find used from a private party for a little less, retailers such as KEH, Adorama, B&H typically offer a 90 day warranty on used gear. Private party purchases are typically without any warranty. The refurbs at the Canon website have the same 1-year warranty as new. Note: Stock of refurbished lenses is limited and it comes and goes rapidly at the Canon store. So you might need to be patient and quick to snag one of these lenses there.