st0ney71 said:mixed reviews on this one. I'd spend a little more and get the Canon 17-40mm f/4L but that's just me.

I have Canon and I agree with you - but Canon 2.8 will cost you another $1100 or close to $500 for f4 - for some people it may work - considering it is a good lens/es - Good luck!

tenben said:No knock on the Canon, but I went for the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, 10mm longer and 1 stop faster than the Canon, all for less money.

Thanks for the heads up OP!

Less $219?

I got the Tamron too. a great lens.

TheBigCheese said:st0ney71 said:mixed reviews on this one. I'd spend a little more and get the Canon 17-40mm f/4L but that's just me.

A Little more??? How is 4X as much a little?

$245 vs. $1100 is apples and oranges.

try $665

you can find good used copies on CL in the low $500

Folks, it is a very good starter lens at a very good price - I'm not stating this lens is better over Canons - but, if you are comparing - don't forget it's 2.8 at wide end and 4 at 35mm - Canons f2.8 is $1300+ and Canons f4 is ~$700 and this are the best money can buy (I have both) - now - if you are not in position to spend $2100 for both or S1300+ for f2.8 or $700 for f4 this Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4 EX DG IF HSM will give you something in between Canons lenses for under $250 - beware it's a lover quality lens - with less performance to be expected a.k.a softness / all kinds of optical aberration / maybe color - Canons are "L" lenses, so definitely color is an issue here - again, if you want 17mm and f2.8 and pay as little as possible - !?!?!?!

P.S. With lens wide open, you have to know what you are doing - most of negative reviewers due to softness of the lens, I guess, expecting to have all of the image in focus and it's optically impossible. Good luck!

When someones post, "I got Tamron and its really great!" That really doesn't mean anything. What required is a link to the pictures you have taken and then claim. It is possible someone upgrades from kit lens or go directly from P&S to DSLR and be happy with Tamron.

I have not seen a single bad review about 17-40 F4/L. Also, lens life, resale value, operating noise, built and brand name has a value and that is why everyone is happy to pay$629 for 17-40.