Canon EF-S 17-85mm, a major improvement from Canon's EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 II kit lens offers attractive features appropriate for individuals who are into photography while traveling light.

? Powerful ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) produces fast and silent autofocusing (1.15ft close; ? Standard zoom lens with f/4-5.6 maximum aperture; ? Very handy weighing 475g (1 lb) measuring 78.5mm (3.1") in diameter and 92mm (3.6") long; ? EF-S Lens mount ideal for EOS (Canon) bodies...

? Intrusion of magenta chromatic deviation and marked barrel distortion brings poor performance at wide-angle; ? Average close-up performance; ? Slow aperture speed

I suspect that a lot of people who read reviews for this lens currently have the kit lens and are looking for that next upgrade. That was the situation I was in when I got this lens.

I purchased this lens looking for something that was powerful enough to capture candid close-ups, vivid landscapes and action photos. The 17-85MM is by far my favorite lens in my camera bag. It's a versatile, compact and easy to handle.

Consistent Output; Easily Interchangeable; Lightweight; Quick Focus; Sharp Focus

I purchased my 17-85mm when I got my Canon 60D last November, at the time the current selling price of the lens alone was ￡350, it offers the same specification as the Canon 18-55mm and that the same of any kit lens including the Nikon 18-55mm, being F3.5-5.6, up close the lens is big, heavy, has a...

67mm thread; Metal Mount; Strong; middle focusing ring

no lens hood included

Great lens but there is better out there

Fast; reasonably inexpensive; Quiet; good images

Better lenses avaialable to do the same job

I found this lens to be a great walk around lens. With the IS it provides lower light hand holdable shots otherwise not possible. Great overall lens for the 20d. Cons: A little vignetting at extreme f4 @ 17mm.

Firstly, let me tell you that I'm a Canon nut. I can't get enough of the stuff and embarrassingly, I've even been known to trawl a popular online auction site to buy apparel that's adorned with the Canon insignia, in that oh so recognisable font. However, I'm not on their payroll.

I've been staring at this lens for quite some time. I've read a LOT of reviews of this lens, some lo

IS; stationery front element; good range for walk around lens

Many have bad things to say about it; slow max aperature; C sized sensors only

When new this is a brilliant lens. Sharp images and fantastic wide to telephoto range. I'm on to my second one of these lenses on my 40D, the first accumulated small particles of dust between the elements and the second one has done the same over a period of a year.

I have had this lens for almost 6 years and it is my best friend! It lived in Germany with me for 3.5 years as I traveled all over Europe and even into the sandy environment of Egypt. This lens is a great walkabout lens that can do almost everything, in my opinion.

Consistent Output; Durable; Rugged; Strong Construction