Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

Pros: IS, non-rotating filter mount, quiet operation, fast internal focus, 'lightweight', constant length focus
Cons: Maximum aperture only f4, somewhat expensive, no full-frame compatible, sharpness below fixed lens

Most affordable digital SLR cameras like the D igital Rebel or E OS 20D sport a smaller image sensor (compared to 35mm film) and that translates into an 'unused' area that's covered by ...

Pros: IS, stationery front element, good range for walk around lens
Cons: Many have bad things to say about it, slow max aperature, C sized sensors only

I've been staring at this lens for quite some time. I've read a LOT of reviews of this lens, some love it, some hate it. I suppose it comes down to whether you can replace the range of this lens with multiple bodies and multiple lenses or whether you ...

Pros: optical quality, IS, wide angle
Cons: cheap build quality, f4 aperture, slight electronic hum, lens hood

I bought the 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM lens bundled with a new Canon EOS 30d from B&H roughly 3 months ago. In these first few months, I've learned a number of things about this lens. Traditionally, I come from a background of 35mm film cameras and hard-metal ...

Pros: Phenomenal IS, 5x zoom range, USM.
Cons: High price. Slow aperture bad for people/pets. Didn't use IS as often as expected.

Update: This review was written a few years ago when the lens first came out.  In the meantime, the lens' high price has fallen by about 25%, reducing one of my main objections that I wrote about.  However, there are also more alternatives, ...

Pros: Nice zoom range covers just about everything I want to do - IS really works.
Cons: Quality control, weight. I'd have felt ripped-off if I'd paid $500 to $600.

I bought an XT in a kit with the EF-S 17-85mm. If I figure the body is around $850-$900, then I paid between $300-$400 for the lens, (yes, it was a good deal.) I had high hopes that this would be an ideal compromise for me, but I'm beginning to have some ...

Pros: Lightweight and nice focal range
Cons: Price, soft pictures, and dark corners

Bought the Canon 20D and 17-85mm (kit), tried it for 3 weeks, then decided I wanted the 24-70L. Sold it for a loss because it was after 7 days that NY camera stores allow on the return policy, remember this when buying. I took pictures with a Sony V1 and compared them to pictures with this lens, and the Sony pictures were sharper. Also, in low light when using the flash, the corners of the pictures will be dark.
Don't buy this as a kit, because if you decide you don't like the lens, you'll have to send back your camera, even if it's working fine. Buy the camera body, and lens separately, and go with something else. There are many better lenses out there for the money. After you use this lens for a few weeks, you'll be wondering about the "L" glass. If anything, start with the 17-40L if you can't afford the 24-70L and grow into better lenses.

Pros: great quality optics, image stabilizer, excellent range
Cons: low light flaws, expensive

I bought it in a kit with Canon EOS 20D. At first eager to test the camera I took a few shots at home, using the built in flash. Of course I was not expecting great quality of the pictures with this small flashlight. The quality of the pictures was more than satisfactory.

Then I took the camera on a day trip to test it in good day light. The lens performed exceptionally in good light. It had some flaws in low light conditions, where the speeds were less than 1/30s even with the image stabilizer. Of course this might be due to the maximum or f/4. There is some chromatic aberration at the extreme border of light and shadow.

Generally I am very happy with the lens. It has a great range and in case of quick trips there is no need for additional lenses.

Together with the camera they for a heavy package and in it is important to hold it steadily.