Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

The gold standard for APS-C zoom lenses

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
80/100
LENS SCORE
Features 17
Performance 18
Durability 15
Price 13
Usability 17
Brand Canon
Model 1242B002

Key Features

OPTICS 19 elements in 12 groups with UD and aspherical elements
APERTURE Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture across the zoom range
AUTOFOCUS Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) with full-time manual override
STABILIZATION Optical Image Stabilizer providing up to 3 stops of compensation
DIAPHRAGM 7-blade circular aperture for pleasing background blur
MOUNT Canon EF-S mount designed exclusively for APS-C sensors
FILTER 77mm front filter thread diameter
MIN FOCUS 0.35m (1.15 ft) minimum focusing distance
CONSTRUCTION High-quality engineering plastic construction with metal mount
COATING Super Spectra coating to minimize ghosting and flare
ZOOM Internal zoom mechanism with rotating front element
COMPATIBILITY Compatible with all Canon APS-C DSLR cameras
WEIGHT 645g (22.8 oz) balanced for enthusiast bodies

The Most Important Rings & Switches — Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Ring / Switch / Control Status Note
Focus Ring ✓ Present Manual focus ring
Zoom Ring ✓ Present Mechanical zoom ring
Aperture Ring ✗ Not Present
AF/MF Switch ✓ Present
Image Stabilisation Switch ✓ Present
Focus Limiter Switch ✗ Not Present
Function (L-Fn) Button ✗ Not Present
Zoom Lock Switch ✗ Not Present
Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) ✓ Present
Weather Sealing ✗ Not Present

How-to Use Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Welcome to the How-to section of the lens. In this Light & Composition University website, each page for a lens has a how-to section and a section for learning. The rings, switches and controls of each lens are placed differently between brands and models. The how-to section helps you operate the lens; however, if you are interested in learning photography, you also need to know what each control changes and why you would change it. Click the “Learn” or scroll down.

Learn & Master Photography with Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

For over a decade, we have been teaching photography following a university standard. No one does it better than us. We have a selection of courses, diplomas, graduate and post-graduate programs, as well as some of our best-selling university press publications, to guide you in the best possible way for your lens. Enroll in the fundamentals and then move to the genres you want to master.

Technical Specification

Focal Length 17-55mm
Max Aperture f/2.8
Min Aperture f/22
Lens Construction 19 elements in 12 groups
Diaphragm Blades 7
Min Focus Distance 0.35m
Max Magnification 0.17x
Filter Size 77mm
Stabilization 3 stops
Focus Motor Ring USM
Mount Canon EF-S
Weather Sealing No
Weight 645g
Dimensions 83.5 x 110.6 mm
Hood EW-83J