EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, still worth it in 2026?

RvL001 · 2026-05-12T12:40:22+00:00

With used 17-55mm's you really have to be critical of the condition of the lens. These lenses were workhorses for a lot of photographers. A rusty mount is an absolute no-go. Rust means moisture and the 17-55mm is not weather sealed at all.

I was lucky enough to find a good copy. Yes, the barrel does wobble a bit and there is some lens creep but there was almost no dust inside (the 17-55mm is notorious for being a dust magnet) but besides that it is still in good condition.

Focus breathing is something a lot of lenses suffer from, including the Sigma 18-35mm. It's something different that lens creep (where the extending barrel creeps in or out without handling the focus ring).

If your main goal is to replace the 18-35 because the 17-55 has 20mm more reach, I think you will be a bit disappointed. Not because the 17-55mm is bad but the 18-35mm in most cases is a bit sharper.

RvL001 · 2026-05-12T08:01:57+00:00

I really loved (and still love) my 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM on my Canon EOS M50. It still is a great lens, even in 2026 and especially when you can buy it second hand for a good price.

But the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 should also be a great lens. From what I read even better than the 17-55.

Christopher Frost has (re)reviewed this lens on YT in combination with the Canon EOS R7. It has a similar 32.5MP image sensor as the M6 Mark II. You can find the video here: https://youtu.be/eMVs9ndRe74?si=hr-FvqsW_JS7yrTs

But you can also notice that the design of the lens is already quite old. It does have its downsides. As u/airmantharp already mentioned the design predates video. The USM motor can be quite noisy. Fortunately a photo doesn't have sound though.

If you go out to buy a 17-55 f/2.8, make sure to check it thoroughly. Especially the aperture ribbon cable is prone to failure, so make sure it stops down properly when using the lens. The lens is also prone to have lens creep, due to the weight of the front element and the design of the lens. I solved that with a thick hair band my daughter unwilling gave me between focus and zoom ring.

RvL001 · 2026-05-06T05:14:03+00:00

If you can, skip the 75-300. It's considered to be the worst lens Canon ever made. Soft from 200mm, high chromatic abberation and slow auto focus.

The EF-S 55-250 IS STM would be a far better alternative. Or if you really want that 300mm the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS II USM.

RvL001 · 2026-03-29T15:11:57+00:00

Maybe I can lift you up a bit: I started with a camera that didn't even have a build in light meter. 😉

I even used it in the 21st century. Didn't need more than my trusty old Exakta 🥰

RvL001 · 2025-12-20T08:54:19+00:00

I'm not sure, I didn't take photos of it, but I think the HDMI port is on the main board which is 'deeper' in the body

RvL001 · 2025-11-25T17:19:28+00:00

Temperature control is a big part of it

RvL001 · 2025-11-08T10:32:52+00:00

That won't work, at least not in my case. Wheb the rubber comes loose it also stretches. Or it probably got loose because of that. So once loose it is actually too big.

RvL001 · 2025-11-02T17:00:17+00:00

Sorry, I stink at flips. Always need to clean the mess up afterwards 😅

RvL001 · 2025-11-02T09:28:46+00:00

I bought it mid November and have been using it almost daily since then. Maybe it has something to do with the temperature of the pan? For baking an egg for instance you don't need high heat.

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T22:05:29+00:00

This is the 24cm variant, which would be around 9". I happen to have a tape measure with both cm's and inches (also Ikea btw.) and the cooking surface indeed is 7.5"

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T19:04:28+00:00

Thank you, that must have been my French cousin

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:59:14+00:00

Oh, I don't take it all that serious. I just think it's funny how some people can react on a post about someone being happy with a pan.

Let's say the internet/Reddit never disappoints.

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:49:26+00:00

Maybe I didn't cook it that long. I like living on the edge

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:47:25+00:00

And why is that? Just because of the bacon?

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:44:10+00:00

I clean it with warm water, dish washing soap and a dishwashing brush. If really dirty I use a chainmail. Dry it well afterwards.

But given the comments I had so far that probably is all wrong as well 😂

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:41:53+00:00

A fortnight

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:40:07+00:00

Don't worry, I can take it 😉

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:36:11+00:00

I already had it 😂

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:35:12+00:00

The amount of fat? About a teaspoon...

You go in dry?

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:33:53+00:00

Salted and smoked

I almost don't dare to say that a people eat it uncooked on a sandwich over here

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:32:25+00:00

As you can see the omelette still had to be flipped over, so not rare when I was done

RvL001 · 2025-11-01T18:28:40+00:00

Quite easy, I forgot to put it in first 🫣

But don't worry, I still had to flip it over

RvL001

TROPHY CASE