Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Macro Lens
The Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is a 17–85mm f/4 lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras. Used copies start from $99.99 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Macro Lens
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Lens Overview — Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Key Features — Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
17-85mm Focal Length Range: Covers wide-angle through short telephoto on APS-C bodies, equivalent to roughly 27-136mm full-frame, making it a practical walk-around zoom.
Built-In Optical Stabilization: Canon's IS system helps compensate for camera shake during handheld shooting, particularly useful at the longer end of the zoom range.
Ring-Type USM Autofocus: Ultrasonic motor delivers fast, quiet autofocus with full-time manual focus override without switching out of AF mode.
APS-C Exclusive Design: Engineered specifically for Canon's EF-S mount APS-C DSLRs, optimizing image quality for the smaller sensor format.
f/4-5.6 Variable Aperture: Opens to f/4 at the wide end, providing reasonable light gathering for a zoom of this range in well-lit conditions.
Close-Focus Capability: Achieves a maximum magnification of 0.2x, allowing moderately close shooting of small subjects without a dedicated macro lens.
Lens Specifications — Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Travel, Landscape, Portrait, Macro |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | APS-C |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 17–85mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Filter Thread | 67mm |
Description — Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
The Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Macro Lens is a zoom lens designed for APS-C format Canon DSLRs using the Canon EF mount. It spans a 17mm to 85mm focal length range, covering a broad standard zoom territory suitable for a wide variety of shooting scenarios. The lens includes optical image stabilization, helping to reduce the impact of camera shake when shooting handheld.
Both auto and manual focus modes are supported, giving the photographer the flexibility to choose their preferred focusing method for any given situation. The maximum aperture reaches f/4 at the wide end of the zoom range. For filtration and accessories, the lens accepts 67mm filter thread attachments — a convenient and widely available size.
At 475g, the lens is a reasonably manageable option for APS-C DSLR users looking for a versatile zoom. Mount compatibility is limited to the Canon EF mount, so it is best paired with compatible Canon APS-C DSLR bodies.
Pros — Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
- ✓Wide 17–85mm focal length range offers genuine versatility for standard zoom shooting on APS-C bodies
- ✓Optical image stabilization helps reduce camera shake during handheld shooting
- ✓Supports both auto and manual focus modes for flexible operation
Cons — Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
- ✗Maximum aperture of f/4 at the wide end is not particularly fast for a zoom lens, limiting low-light performance
- ✗APS-C format and Canon EF mount limit compatibility — not usable on full-frame Canon bodies or other systems
- ✗Variable maximum aperture means light gathering decreases as you zoom toward 85mm
Videos — Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens review (with samples) — Christopher Frost










