Samples

The following images were taken with the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4~5.6 IS USM lens and the Canon EOS-350D / Digital Rebel XT. The recording mode was set to Large / Fine, thereby using the full 8.0 megapixel resolution and the least-compressed JPEG setting. The individual exposure mode, file sizes, shutter speeds, aperture, ISO and lens focal length are listed for each image.

The crops are taken from the original files, reproduced at 100% and saved in Adobe Photoshop CS2 as JPEGs with the default Very High quality preset, while the resized images were made in Photoshop CS2 and saved with the default High quality preset. The three crops are typically taken from far left, central and far right portions of each image.

						This image of Prague’s old town square was taken with the 17-85mm EF-S at its widest focal length of 17mm and an aperture of f7.1. The wide angle has allowed a large field of view to be captured, but light fall-off / vignetting is visible in the upper corners, even with the aperture closed by 1.6 stops. The crops from the lower left and central portions of the image are sharp and detailed, but the crop from a distant area on the far right is quite soft.

Town square: 2.67MB, Program, 1/100, f7.1, ISO 200, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4~5.6 at 17mm

Portrait: 2.04MB, Program, 1/100, f5.6, ISO 200, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4~5.6 at 80mm

This image of a guard outside Prague Castle was taken with the 17-85mm EF-S zoomed almost all the way in to a focal length of 80mm. The conditions were dim with a light shower of snow, forcing the aperture to open to f5.6.

The Image Stabilisation system delivered a sharp and detailed result, despite the relatively slow shutter speed for the focal length, not to mention shivering due to the cold conditions.

Stained glass: 4.90MB, Program, 1/40, f5.6, ISO 200, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4~5.6 at 85mm

				The photo of a stained glass window inside Prague Cathedral was taken with the 17-85mm EF-S at 85mm and a wide-open aperture of f5.6. The Image Stabilisation system has once again proved effective, allowing us to take a sharp image at a relatively slow shutter speed of 1/40 considering the long focal length. The crops are sharp and detailed, while the converging geometry is easily corrected in Photoshop if desired.

Interior: 3.16MB, Program, 1/4, f4, ISO 400, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4~5.6 at 17mm

This photo of the tomb of King Wenceslas in Prague Cathedral was taken with the 17-85mm EF-S at its widest focal length of 17mm and a wide-open aperture of f4. The scene was very dark, forcing a quarter of a second exposure at 400 ISO.

The camera was handheld, but once again the Image Stabilisation has counteracted any wobbles to deliver a sharp image even at this long exposure.

The crops are also satisfyingly sharp and detailed despite the wide focal length and open aperture.

Outdoor: 3.48MB, Program, 1/200, f10, ISO 200, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4~5.6 at 17mm

				This wide view of the Charles Bridge with Prague Castle in the background was taken with the 17-85mm EF-S at its widest focal length of 17mm and an aperture of f10. As you would expect at f10, the crops are sharp and detailed, although again light fall-off / vignetting is apparent in the upper corners. This is quite visible when composing through the viewfinder at 17mm and only avoidable if you zoom-in slightly.