We are talking about the 7D upgrade havin the 1D4 AF - far better than the 7D
If you think a L lens is $2000 then you are looking in the wrong place.
Used 17-40 are $5-600
Used 24-105 are $about 1000
Not that different from APS-C, which are budget lens - not designed for the top of the range 7D and up cameras
OK, my last post regarding the EF-S topic in here, but did you ever use one?
Since I moved to digital I have aways had an APS-C camera - 40d/50d/7D. 50D was sold to buy the 7D. In March 2012 I gave away my 40D to a friend along with the 18-55 and 55-250. You will no doubt have spotted the 7D on my kit line - perhaps not
The build quality of the 17-55mm f/2.8 is very good - perhaps not up to L standards, but still good enough for most people (even 7D owners). Comparing it to the 24-105mm, you're getting superior IQ and a faster lens for less money and you get a new lens. I bet there are enough people who find this deal interesting.
I own a 17-40 and 24-105 and both are in regular use.
The 17-40mm is known to have only OK IQ and again it is slow. Take the Tokina 11-16mm in comparison - I get a faster lens with way superior IQ and L built quality (OK, no weather sealing - I give you that) again for the same price new.
Third, whenever I mention my 70-200mm f/4 L non-IS lens on this forum someone jumps up that this is a slow and boring budget lens - I personally love this lens, but there seem to be many people who have an unlimited stash of money and buy only the best equipment - lucky you.
I own a 17-40 and 24-105 and both are in regular use. Both are excellent lens and stalwarts of the L range. The 24-105 is a great zoom on aps-c, short end does portraits, long end is a useful short telephoto - very different use from the 17-55 which are trying to compare it with. The 24-105 of course is the kit lens of the 5DIII and is used by a lot of pro wedding photographers. Have you owned either lens that you are critisizing?
I also own a 70-200 f/4 non IS - which has the focussing broken. When it was working I gave it a lot of use - as you say - top IQ.
You are advocating ef-s lens as the way ahead - but howabout the non L ef lens - such as the 50 f/1.4 and the 85 f/1.8 which I always put in the bag too ?? You could buy these two used/refurb for the price of the 17-55.
I buy pre-owned kit to make my pension go further, I have only bought 3 lens new for example and all my bodies have been pre-owned.
This thread is about the 7DII and I believe it should not be competing with the 5DIII so it will have to have a new feature set - a 5DII level AF would not be accepted as that would be a downgrade from the existing 7D AF. Just 10fps and better AF and metering link to the AF point would achieve that plus improvements to the low light would consolidate it as an excellent entry level sports camera
