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Description

Designed for the modern musician and videographer, the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens offers an exceptional blend of performance and portability. This ultra-wide zoom lens is part of Canon's prestigious L-series, renowned for its rugged construction and unparalleled image quality. Whether you're capturing the sweeping grandeur of a festival stage or the intricate details of an intimate studio session, this lens is your go-to tool.

The constant f/4 aperture provides consistent exposure across its versatile zoom range, making it perfect for both indoor gig documentation and outdoor concert photography. Its ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) ensures quick and silent autofocus, so you can seamlessly switch between shots without missing a beat. Crafted with three aspherical elements and one Super UD element, the lens effectively minimizes distortion and chromatic aberration, delivering crisp, edge-to-edge sharpness.

Weather-sealed and equipped with a fluorine-coated front element, the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM is built to withstand the rigors of any performance environment, from dusty tour buses to rainy festival grounds. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a budding content creator, this lens is an invaluable addition to your gear collection.

Key Features:

  • Ultra-wide zoom for full-frame DSLRs (17-40mm)
  • Constant f/4 maximum aperture
  • Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for fast autofocus
  • Three aspherical elements and one Super UD element
  • Weather-resistant design with rear gasket
  • Fluorine-coated front element for dust/water resistance
Shane Long Photography

Shane Long Photography

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens - Sample Images and Video - A Wedding Photographer's Review

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens - Sample Images and Video - A Wedding Photographer's Review by Shane Long Photography

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens - Sample Images and Video - A Wedding Photographer's Review

Shane Long Photography

Shane Long Photography

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM (Is it still worth to buy in 2020?) by Travis Javier

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM (Is it still worth to buy in 2020?)

Travis Javier

Travis Javier

Video thumbnail for The Canon EF 17-40mm F/4.0L USM Lens Review by Photo Feaver

The Canon EF 17-40mm F/4.0L USM Lens Review

Photo Feaver

Photo Feaver

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 17–40mm F/4L USM Review for Event Photography by Mik Milman

Canon EF 17–40mm F/4L USM Review for Event Photography

Mik Milman

Mik Milman

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM.

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners recommend using the EW-83J lens hood for better effectiveness and appearance on crop sensor bodies.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • When using this lens on an R10, an EF-RF adapter is required for compatibility.

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User experience

  • Some users report chromatic aberration, specifically blue fringing, which can be challenging to correct in post-production.

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  • Some users report the lens is soft around the edges on full-frame, making it less ideal for group portraits.

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  • Some owners found the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM underwhelming for image quality compared to the Canon EF-S 10-18mm, especially considering the latter's lower cost.

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Build quality

  • The lens is noted for its durability; even after being dropped multiple times, it continues to function well.

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  • The 17-40mm lens is praised for its ruggedness and weatherproofing, especially when paired with a filter, making it suitable for outdoor use.

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Use cases and applications

  • On a crop sensor like the R10, the lens provides a focal range similar to 28-70mm, making it suitable for street photography when shooting during the day.

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  • This lens is practical for travel photography due to its light weight and rugged build, despite lacking image stabilization.

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  • The lens is favored for use on crop sensors as it omits softer corners, making it a practical choice for APS-C cameras.

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  • For tripod-based landscape photography, image stabilization in lenses like the Canon 10-18mm is less crucial, making the Tokina 11-20mm a better choice for its speed.

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  • The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM is more suited for full-frame cameras; for APS-C, it acts as a standard zoom rather than ultra-wide.

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Value and pricing

  • The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens is a significant bargain at $165, when it typically resells for at least $250 in Europe.

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  • A price of $363 is considered high unless the lens is in immaculate condition with all accessories; similar lenses have sold for around $250.

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Comparisons

  • The Canon EF 17-55mm f/2.8 is regarded as an almost L-quality lens, preferred for APS-C due to its faster aperture and image stabilization.

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  • The Tokina AT-X 11-20mm F2.8 PRO DX is favored for low-light scenarios over the Canon EF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 due to its larger aperture.

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  • The Sigma 17-50 IS is considered comparable to the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 but is priced around $300 new, making it a cost-effective alternative.

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Critic Reviews

Lifetime Review of the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens | Fstoppers

fstoppers.com

A solid workhorse in the wide-angle lens category, the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM offers versatility and decent build quality, but it falls short in image sharpness. While it excels in autofocus and weather-sealing, the image quality is lackluster, especially on high-resolution sensors. It's a reliable choice for budget-conscious photographers but may leave those seeking premium optics underwhelmed. Ultimately, this lens is best appreciated for its affordability and durability rather than its optical prowess.

Canon 17-40mm f/4 L Review

kenrockwell.com

The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM stands out with its impressive optics and lightweight design, making it a top choice for ultrawide photography. While it delivers excellent performance and value compared to pricier alternatives like the 16-35mm f/2.8, it does exhibit some ghosting and complex distortion that can be tricky to correct. Overall, this lens offers consistent results and is well-built, making it a great investment for both amateur and professional photographers, provided they are aware of its minor shortcomings.

positive

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM | Lens Review - shanelongphotography.com

shanelongphotography.com

Canon's EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens shines as a versatile workhorse for wedding photographers, boasting a robust build and excellent auto-focus speed. Its lightweight design allows for easy handling during long events, making it a favorite for capturing moments in tight spaces. However, be mindful of its tendency to produce soft edges and occasional focus issues, particularly in dim lighting. While it excels in various scenarios, its f/4 aperture may require higher ISOs for candids. Overall, this lens delivers quality and performance at a reasonable price, earning it a loyal spot in any photographer's kit.

positive

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens Review with Sample Photos in Japan! — Myles Katherine Photography

myleskatherine.com

The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens is a solid choice for budget-conscious photographers seeking wide-angle versatility without sacrificing quality. While it may not match the sharpness of pricier counterparts like the 24-70mm f/2.8, it delivers pleasing images, especially for travel and architectural shots. Its lighter weight makes it ideal for long trips, though some edge distortion and lower light performance may be noted. Overall, this lens is a reliable backup for capturing stunning moments, making it a worthy addition to any photographer's kit, particularly for those starting out or looking for an affordable upgrade.

positive

Review – Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L - Your best source for Canon news, rumors and more

canonrumors.com

While the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L offers a lightweight and versatile option for budget-conscious photographers, it falls short in image quality, particularly at wide apertures. The lens is prone to distortion and vignetting, requiring software correction that can be cumbersome for users. Additionally, it lacks the sharpness expected from a professional-grade lens, particularly at f/4. Despite its robust build and suitability for APS-C cameras, those seeking superior optical performance may find better alternatives within Canon’s lineup. For casual photographers or those new to wide-angle shooting, it serves as a reasonable starter lens, but seasoned users may find it lacking.

negative

Long Term Review: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L - The Phoblographer

thephoblographer.com

The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens is a solid performer for landscape photography, offering impressive sharpness and build quality at a more accessible price than its f/2.8 counterpart. However, it lacks image stabilization and can struggle in low-light conditions, particularly for concert photography, where a faster lens might be preferable. While it delivers good image quality after post-processing, the added vignetting at wider angles could be a drawback for some users. Overall, it's a competent choice for wide-angle needs, but potential buyers should weigh the benefits against the limitations.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens Review

the-digital-picture.com

The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens balances impressive image quality with a lightweight design, making it a solid choice for both landscape and general photography. Its weather-sealing and fast, accurate autofocus enhance its versatility. However, corner sharpness lags behind the center, especially at wider apertures, and distortion can be problematic at 17mm. While it offers great value compared to the pricier 16-35mm f/2.8L, low-light performance is limited due to its f/4 maximum aperture. Overall, this lens is a commendable option for those seeking high-quality images without breaking the bank, provided they are mindful of its shortcomings.

positive

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Review

imaging-resource.com

While the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens boasts impressive build quality and excellent color rendition, it struggles with corner sharpness, particularly at the 17mm focal length on full-frame cameras. This affordable L-series lens shines with its versatility and weather-sealed construction, making it a solid choice for landscape and architectural photography. However, users should be prepared to stop down to f/8 or f/11 for optimal results. The lens's lack of image stabilization and relatively slow f/4 aperture may deter some photographers, but for those who can work within its limitations, it offers remarkable value and performance.

positive

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