An extraordinary dive ... but be careful quality control

The 17-55 f / 2.8 IS USM produces images of a delicacy and an absolutely extraordinary dive. I also have a 70-200 f / 4 L IS USM and the sharpness is the same! There really is a quantum leap compared to 18-55 IS basic kit. The opening of 2.8 allows to make very beautiful portraits, especially to 50-55mm.

A particularly interesting application of this objective is the video. I have an EOS 550D (same sensor as the 7D) and the possibility to develop without manually disengaging the AF is very convenient. Of course, it is necessary to invest in a viewfinder-type Zacuto to make quality video (manual focus), but if the stabilizer is added, it has an objective very well suited to video. Also provide an external microphone (the optical stabilizer makes some noise) for this application.

The main shortcoming of this goal is its weight. It's really heavy, especially compared to my EOS 550D (which weighs nothing ...), but any will say that it improves the stability of the shooting ... With 200g least it would be perfect.

A rather annoying problem is that some copies of this objective a focus offset. The autofocus focuses ultra-fast, but not in the right place (always too close or too far ...). This is a quality control problem Canon, which is clearly not acceptable on such a cherished goal (even if it is not an L). I had to share the first copy that I received for this reason (the second is perfect by cons). With EOS 7D can be a micro-focus adjustment, but not with my 550.

In short, it is a superb lens, perfect for the photo to open and HD video, but it is necessary to check when received it was well set at the factory.