TFrog.com Lens Test

Another Real-World Lens Test

The 17-40mm f/4L USM comes highly recommended, almost universally among reviews. True enough, the build is solid, the focus VERY fast, the images clean and clear. The Canon 18-55mm kit lens is a good lens, not great, and is a respectable all-around performer, but the 17-40mm is a wonderful step up - and attractively priced for L glass.

First impression...

The very first impression was, "Gee, this thing is heavy." Not overly so, but heavy in the sense that it is a solidly put together lens, much heavier than the kit lens it replaces. Compared to that kit lens, the clarity is also impressive. Here's how the 17-40 stacks up with my other lenses, from left to right:

70-300, 100, 17-40, 18-55, and 50mm...

Standing next to the kit lens, the difference is obvious. But where the kit lens protrudes as it zooms,
the 17-40 does not. And, of course, the kit lens takes a 58mm lens cap,
the 17-40 takes a whopping 77mm.

The 17-40 also takes a funky lens hood, which draws comments from the uninitiated,
who obviously think that piece of plastic somehow makes the whole camera look
special. Once I got used to it, myself, I thought it looked pretty cool, too.
How it functions remains to be seen.

So, let's get to shootin'...

Click on any image for a 1200 pixel version

All shot at f/16, ISO100

17mm
A bit of distortion on the sides

29mm
No distortion

40mm
Slight distortion,
not so's you'd notice

A hurried shot of Philadelphia's City Hall from South Broad Street, taken through the windshield at dusk.
Click image for a 3000 pixel version - straightened, mild sharpening, cropped, but otherwise true.
1/30 second, f/5.6, focal length 37mm, ISO200 (not bad for hand-held).

Above: Let's go walkabout with the 17-40 at beautiful Chanticleer Garden

More to come...

Was this page helpful at all?

...back to Top

I'd like to hear from my visitors as to whether this sort of amateur lens test is worthwhile. We've all seen what the professional photographers can do, but rarely do the rest of us measure up to that standard. In considering whether or not to throw good money at a lens, I thought it would be interesting to see what the average Joe gets from it. Heck, anybody's results should be as good or better than what I've shown here. Drop me a line and let me know what you think. I plan on several more of these Lens Tests as time goes by... If there's a Canon lens you'd especially like to see, let me know.