It seems like people are always looking for a deal. It’s also very nice to have a Canon L series lens. Can you have both? It turns out that you can. The lens was the predecessor to the lens which has now been replaced by the 16-35mm II. Now two generations behind, the lens can often be found used for between $350 and $700 used. This lens still sports all of the great qualities Canon L glass has to to offer and preforms very close to its younger brother the 16-35mm. 17-35mm is also a sweet spot for a Crop sensor camera like the T2i, 60d, or 7d, and f2.8 is still pretty good as far as low light performance is concerned.
There are a few things to think about when considering an older lens like this. Canon probably wont repair this lens, so if your focus motor fails or the auto manual switch stops working you’ll probably have to use a 3rd party repair shop. Also, a used lens this old could have problems like scratches or mold so it’s a good Idea to buy from a local shop, or a place like ebay, where you can get some kind of buyer protection.
The is still common enough to find used regularly and can be a real bargain if the price is right. If you really want to go back in time the Canon 20-35mm f2.8 could also be an option, however this lens is almost 20 years old and very hard to come by. Canon’s L glass has always been very well built so it’s not surprising that these older lenses preform quit well over time and at these prices it’s a better deal then the Canon 17-40mm f4 lens.
