Know your gear
The EF17-40mm f/4L USM is an ultra wide angle Canon EF zoom lens meant for professional and high amateur SLR EOS camera users.
While it is an excellent lens when used with an analogue SLR camera, the EF17-40mm f/4L USM is especially well suited for digital SLR cameras with an imaging sensor size smaller than the 35mm format. Indeed on such digital SLR cameras these focal lengths can give an angle of view approximately equivalent to that of a 28-70mm lens used on a 35mm camera, which makes it the ideal standard zoom lens.
The EF17-40mm f/4L USM has 12 lens elements arranged in 9 groups. Super Spectra Coating on the elements ensures excellent color balance and minimizes ghosting and flare. To provide superb image quality over a 17-40mm zoom range the lens uses three aspheric elements of two different types, while Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass is used to prevent the chromatic aberrations that often can degrade the subject edge clarity.
Minimum focusing distance is just 28mm throughout the entire zoom range. The Auto-focus works silently and quickly thanks to a fast central processing unit with an improved AF algorithm. You can override AF mode with manual focus should you wish. Controlled by an electromagnetic diaphragm, the EF17-40mm f/4L USM's circular aperture can achieve a more attractive appearance to out of focus background areas in a picture. The front of the lens does not rotate as you focus. This means, for example, that polarizing filters still function effectively as you zoom in and out. At the rear of the lens there's a drop-in gelatin filter holder. Highly resistant to moisture and dust, the EF17-40mm f/4L USM is ideally suited for use in harsh environments. Environment friendly lead-free glass is used throughout its construction.
While it is an excellent lens when used with an analogue SLR camera, the EF17-40mm f/4L USM is especially well suited for digital SLR cameras with an imaging sensor size smaller than the 35mm format. Indeed on such digital SLR cameras these focal lengths can give an angle of view approximately equivalent to that of a 28-70mm lens used on a 35mm camera, which makes it the ideal standard zoom lens.
The EF17-40mm f/4L USM has 12 lens elements arranged in 9 groups. Super Spectra Coating on the elements ensures excellent color balance and minimizes ghosting and flare. To provide superb image quality over a 17-40mm zoom range the lens uses three aspheric elements of two different types, while Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass is used to prevent the chromatic aberrations that often can degrade the subject edge clarity.
Minimum focusing distance is just 28mm throughout the entire zoom range. The Auto-focus works silently and quickly thanks to a fast central processing unit with an improved AF algorithm. You can override AF mode with manual focus should you wish. Controlled by an electromagnetic diaphragm, the EF17-40mm f/4L USM's circular aperture can achieve a more attractive appearance to out of focus background areas in a picture. The front of the lens does not rotate as you focus. This means, for example, that polarizing filters still function effectively as you zoom in and out. At the rear of the lens there's a drop-in gelatin filter holder. Highly resistant to moisture and dust, the EF17-40mm f/4L USM is ideally suited for use in harsh environments. Environment friendly lead-free glass is used throughout its construction.
Enhance your purchase
Canon EF wide-angle zoom lens 17-40mm is rated
4.80 out of
5 by
17.
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Seth0607 from
Wow. Just Wow.
I bought this around several weeks ago and do not regret it one bit. Took this lens and paired it with my 5D Mark II and shooting sunsets over the lake with it was PHENOMENAL. Highly recommend this lens to anyone who wants to pursue landscape and real estate photography.
Date published: 2020-09-11T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
rkfjacobson from
Affordable L Glass Lens
Great value L glass lens. I got this lens to upgrade from my kit lens for my Canon Rebel T5. Just tested this lens out by taking exhibit hall and cosplay photos at San Diego Comic Con. Pros: The lens is relatively small and light weight, which was great for carrying around all day, and the color is fantastic. Cons: This lens does not have image stabilization and is definitely not as sharp at the widest aperture (f4, which means taking indoor photos with lower light results in very soft focus photos. Looking forward to trying this lens out for some landscape and travel photography in future!
Date published: 2019-07-22T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Melissa S from
Very nice lens
This is a great lens with a very nice 17-40mm range. It takes crisp photos. I am very pleased with it.
Date published: 2019-12-26T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
zhuphoto from
Excellent Wide Angle Lens
Pros:
1) 1/2 the price of 16-35mm f/2.8L
2) Great picture quality IQ matches the 16-35mm f/2.8
3) Fast AF USM
4) Solid construction
Cons:
f/4; need flash or higher ISO when shooting indoors or on a cloudy day
Review:
Loving this lens so far; at times I wish I saved for the 16-35mm 2.8II however I just bump the ISO on my 5D MKII. ISO noise isn't a big deal on the 5D MKII; I wouldn't recommend this lens for Canon's APS-C sensors(get the 2.8 or 17-55mm f2.8 IS). Indoors or night time I attach a flash(get a good flash unit and learn to use it; with good flash you can freeze motion in low light settings while preserving the surrounding story)
Bokeh at f4 is surprisingly good when shooting closeup. IQ(image quality) is fantastic; on par with the more expensive 16-35mm f2.8 II from f8 and up.
This lens is a bargain in my opinion for what it does.
Date published: 2012-06-13T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
denisesdragons from
Great Lens
This has got to be one of the best lenses I own. I use it all the time. The photos come out crisp and clear with a nice depth of field. The lens is perfect for architectural photos. I would recommend this lens 100% It is not a cheap lens but is definitely well worth the money you spend on it.
Date published: 2012-07-19T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
500pxcommarkchristian from
The best ultra wide angle for Canon!
I recently switched from Nikon to Canon and this was my first lens purchased for my 5D Mark II. My decision was made after reading several reviews from websites and blogs. I have to tell you they are all right! This lens takes sharp and vibrant pictures. Good bokeh too, though not the best. A review from one of the best photographers in Seattle stated this was even better than the 16-35 f/2.8 I. This is an ongoing theme I have read. Even though it is only f/4.0 it is plenty fast for me as it is a landscape lens. If you are looking to take wedding and sports photography then it is not for you. A picture says a thousand words so I will just let mine speak for themselves.
Date published: 2012-08-09T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
fotofreak from
Popularity speaks for itself
High quality lens at a reasonable price. I bought one a year ago and ended up giving it to a friend
who liked it. So I bought myself another one.
I could not see buying the similar 2.8 16-35 lens at twice the price. The 4.0 lens suits my needs due to the fact that I usually shoot smaller aptures for increased depth of field when shooting with a wide angle. Sure you can shoot in lower light with the 2.8,I shoot with a tripod if I want maximum picture guality.
Date published: 2010-05-06T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kobe24 from
AWESOME LENS!
Perfect for wedding pictures and video.
Date published: 2012-07-19T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dwitz from
Great Lense!
Great lense for real estate photography. I use this on most of my real estate shoots and it is a very sharp lense.
Date published: 2019-10-01T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Nicci from
Damaged product
Loved the camera but on about day 3 when cleaning the lens, I noticed a crack in the plastic, only small and didn’t affect taking photos but obviously shouldn’t have been there. Currently send back and waiting for refund. Disappointed as you expect if they individually inspected this wouldn’t have gone unnoticed. Packaged well so would be very surprised if it happened in transit.
Date published: 2020-07-16T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Corey or Squirrelman from
Fantastic Wide Angle Lens for my Full Frame DSLR!
This is such an amazing lens for my Canon 6D Mark II. I have wanted to have a wide angle lens for my full frame and this is a fantastic lens at a very good price. It is going to be my go-to lens for group pictures. I am SO glad that I have added this to my gear.
Date published: 2020-01-29T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
BrandyB from
Lens EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Love this lens full view and great crisp pics. My pics come out even better with this lens.
Date published: 2020-08-18T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Cindy Sue from
Nice wide angle lens
This lens is perfect for shooting indoor real estate photo shoots. Crisp nice wide angle shots
Date published: 2020-07-04T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Tad from
Amazing Lens for an affordable price
Outstanding Lens!!! I have taken pictures in low lights as well as challenging lighting conditions. This lens have given me nothing less than breathtaking results.
This picture was taken with Canon EOS 90D and Canon 17-40 f/4 lens:
f/22 at 1/4 sec
ISO: 100
and ND4 filter coupled with uv filter
I wanted the vignette in the picture and that is why I had my filters stacked together.
Date published: 2020-02-02T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jim Laurent from
null
Used his lens on several real estate shoots, it’s been a great addition to my kit and my new primary lens for Real Estate.
Date published: 2022-01-13T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
James Laurent from
null
Used his lens on several real estate shoots, it’s been a great addition to my kit and my new primary lens for Real Estate.
Date published: 2022-01-13T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
AV8TR from
JUST WHAT I NEEDED
A Great, Over-all, Sharp Lenz. Just what I needed to complete my landscape Photography. I recommend this lenz to all photographers who need that extra oomph for Landscape and Room use
Date published: 2021-12-16T00:00:00-05:00