Canon TS-E 17mm F4 L Review
General information
This is a prime lens manufactured by Canon and the lens was released 2009.
The lens belongs to the category
wide angle prime lenses, a wide angle lens where you do not have the possibility to zoom in and out.
Aside from this lens is also classed as a Tilt Shift lens. By being a Tilt Shift lens means that you with this lens can tilt and shift the perspective and control the area in the image you want to be sharp. Read more and see sample images in the article below.
Product description from Canon
At launch 2009 Canon wrote this regarding Canon TS-E 17mm F4 L:
"The TS-E 17mm f/4L is a perspective control ultra-wide-angle lens designed to address the need for broader angles of view in architectural photography and similar fields. In addition to its superb optical performance — achieved through the use of a precision glass-molded aspherical element for the front element along with four UD elements, the TS-E 17mm f/4L features a special sub-wavelength structure coating (SWC) that substantially cuts flare and ghosting caused by light rays at a large angle of incidence. The floating construction corrects aberrations at short focusing distances, resulting in better image quality even at the image edges. We also added two new features — TS rotation, which allows the user to set the angle between the tilt and shift anywhere between orthogonal and parallel, and tilt lock, which securely locks the tilt mechanism in the neutral position — while aiming to make the lens more comfortable to operate by using larger control switches than previous TS-E models.
The widest tilt-shift lens in Canon´s lineup, the new TS-E 17mm f/4L lens expands shooting possibilities exponentially on EOS Digital cameras. Designed with UD glass to minimize and compensate for chromatic aberrations, with a specially coated aspherical element for the highest possible glare-free image quality, this tilt-shift lens offers a diagonal angle of view of 104° on a full-frame SLR camera. New TS rotation lets users freely combine tilting and shifting within the range of +/- 90° in the direction of movement. The lens also has an improved tilt & shift knob with an enhanced range of movement of up to +/- 6.5° and 12mm repectively, with a revolving function for better operability. It uses a circular aperture for beautiful out-of-focus areas and has an SWC lens coating to control ghosting and flare to a far greater degree than with earlier coating technologies."
Compatibility, autofocus and focal length
This lens is constructed to fit all models of Canon cameras, regardless of camera model or type of sensor.
The possibility of using autofocus (AF) does not exist, since this lens only supports manual focusing.
The lens has a focal length of 17 mm. Depending on which camera the lens is used, the experienced and perceived focal length will be different. Please visit the list of compatible cameras below, it will provide the equivalent focal length you get on each camera.
- See compatible cameras and perceived/equivalent focal length
- See a full camera compatibility chart for Canon TS-E 17mm F4 L
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
Lens brightness and image stabilizer
The lens brightness and aperture value is f/4.
The lens is to considered fairly bright. This will make it so much easier shooting in darker environments where you do not want or can use flash lighting, for example in churches or at different sports venues.
The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds.
Filter and Lens Hood
This lens does not support the use of filters which is slightly negative. To have the option to use filters, for their optic purpose or as protection, would have been nice but no.
Together with the lens there is a lens hood included but we have unfortunately no further information on model etc so feel free to contact us if you know more.
Images of Canon TS-E 17mm F4 L
In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.
Things to consider before buying
Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.
- Works on all sensor types
- A lens hood is included
- The lens is sealed against dust and moisture
- The lens supports only manual focusing, not autofocus
- Not possible to use filters
- Heavy (820 gr)
- The price (more info)
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Canon TS-E 17mm F4 L.
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
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