Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

Canon’s ultrawide zoom for crop frame SLR’s (Rebel, 20D, 30D) only. On these cameras the range is very similar to the 16-35 on a full frame camera. The lens is very sharp. It has amazingly little distortion and is surprisingly resistant to lens flare for such a wide zoom. NOTE: This lens works only on EF-S mount cameras. It does not work on 1D or 5D series cameras.

Roger’s take: I’m usually not too much of a ‘Canon snob’ and for most items we carry several alternative lenses in that focal length. This is an exception – I’ve tried the other ‘ultra wides’ and the Canon is just better. Its more expensive, but its flare resistant, sharp, and has surprisingly low distortion. This is one of those “if you haven’t shot with it you should” lenses.

High Risk Lens: The Canon 10-22 f3.5-4.5 lens has a SLIGHTLY higher failure rate than most lenses in our lineup.

• How high? The 10-22 has a problem rate of 1.00% of rentals, despite being checked out thoroughly before it leaves us.
• Why? Design flaw – weakness in the mid barrel.
• What’s the point? We’re letting you know on the front end make sure you order this lens in time to check it out before you leave for vacation or schedule your big shoot. We can send a replacement if it has a problem, but we can’t send a replacement Friday night to get to you you Saturday morning.
• Type of problem: The barrel separates just below the zoom ring, causing the zoom to become stiff. While this is rare, it seems to sometimes occur during shipping.
  Note: Like the 17-55, the 10-22 just barely makes our ‘high risk’ designation. Its a great lens, but has a bit of inherent weakness between the zoom ring and the barrel.