Canon L EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
The constant f/4 aperture and Super UD element deliver consistent exposure and sharpness across the 17-40mm zoom range in a durable L-series build. Its versatile wide-angle coverage is complemented by a bundled accessory kit including filters and a backpack, offering strong value for a professional-grade lens. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who need a rugged, ultra-wide zoom with reliable optical performance.
Focal length 17-40mm
Aperture f/17
Mount Canon EF
Weather Sealed Yes
Weight 475 g
af type USM
lens type zoom
43 Overall Score
No current retailer price
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong af (93rd percentile) 93rd
- Strong optical (78th percentile) 78th
- Strong versatility (76th percentile) 76th
- Strong build (72nd percentile) 72nd
Cons
- Below average macro (12th percentile)
- Below average social proof (21st percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 17 |
| Focal Length Max | 40 |
| Elements | 12 |
| Groups | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/17 |
| Min Aperture | f/4 |
| Constant | Yes |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | USM |
| Stabilization | No |
vs Competition
| Spec | Canon L EF 17-40mm f/4L USM | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Nikon NIKKOR 20059 | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 17-40mm | 28-300mm | 18-55mm | 17-40mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/17 | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Nikon F | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 475 | 590 | 205 | 535 | 306 | 326 |
| AF Type | USM | VXD linear motor | pulse stepping motor | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Autofocus | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon L EF 17-40mm f/4L USM | 93.1 | 25 | 71.7 | 12.2 | 77.9 | 35.6 | 75.7 | 20.8 | 34.4 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.6 | 63 | 83.2 | 96.3 | 70.9 | 97.9 | 50.7 | 79.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 Compare | 84.8 | 81.4 | 83.7 | 95.4 | 54.6 | 82.8 | 82.8 | 86.2 | 92.3 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 54 | 97 | 67.1 | 72.3 | 96.7 | 95.3 | 75.7 | 94.1 | 34.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 54 | 86.6 | 83.9 | 49 | 86.2 | 88.3 | 80.5 | 86.2 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.4 | 71 | 37.5 | 77.9 | 82.8 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.3 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
