Canon Rebel T7 DSLR comability with SLR Lens

[HokeyHokey]

I'm looking to get an EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera, but I'm also looking to get a 17-40mm Ultra wide-angle lens, but the only Canon lens I can find specifically says it's for SLR cameras. Does that mean it won't work for a Rebel T7 camera?

[jrhoffman75]

Any lens that says it is compatible with Canon EF mount will work with your camera. The 17-40 lens was released back when film cameras were the standard. 

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

The 17-40 is an old lens but a good one.  As John said, it will fit on your camera, just be aware that because your camera has a smaller sensor than a FF camera, it will actually provide a Field of View (what the sensor actually captures) equivalent to that of a 27-64mm lens - which is still wide angle (but not ultra wide angle), and will have a definitely narrower FoV than it would on a full-frame body.

To give you an idea, here is a photo taken with a similarly crop sensor body, the Canon D30 with the 17-40 at its widest.

 If you really want ultra wide angle, then something like the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USI is a very good lens, and on your body would produce a FoV of 16-35mm - which is ultra wide. Neither this, nor the 17-40 f/4 is stabilized.

If you are prepared to accept Another great lens in the same general range, and that is stabilized, is the excellent EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, (FoV 24-136mm) which offers an extremely versatile range and great optics.  No longer made, but you can get good ones second hand - I have a couple and love them! 

Again, to give you an idea of this lens' widest FoV, this image is taken with one on a Canon EOS 60D - same size sensor as yours.

EOS 60D, EF-S 15-85@15mm, f/10, 1/250sec, ISO-400

[ebiggs1]

"Any lens that says it is compatible with Canon EF mount ..."

Perhaps a bit more simple to understand is the lens will have "EF" or "EF-S" in its name. I.E., EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens. Or,  EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.  BTW, the latter is a far better choice for your T7 and nearly the same price.

[HokeyHokey]

I'd be using it for real estate photos, so would image stabilization be a priority in this case?

[jrhoffman75]

You can use a tripod for real estate shoots, so I wouldn’t consider IS a priority for that use. 

[Tronhard]

Well, I will put it this way: one of the most renowned real estate photographers in the US, Scott Hargis, uses a Canon EF17-40, but with a full-frame camera that will give an actual 17-40 performance, so to get the same FoV the EF-S 10-22 would give you that extra angle.  I have one, and it's a good lens.   Scott has some videos on real estate photography and has an excellent e-book available called Lighting Interiors - a very instructive read.

Like any ultra wide angle you need to make sure that your verticals are vertical - introducing tilt into images creates a sense of tension, and makes the wall feel like they are falling in on you, and you don't want that in real estate images.

Here are a couple of samples of the kind of thing I think you are looking for. Both taken with the 10-22mm @ 10mm (so FoV 16mm)

[HokeyHokey]

So using a 10-22 with a rebel T7 gets you the same, or nearly the same, FOV as a 17-40 with a full-frame camera?

[Tronhard]

Yes.

[Waddizzle]

Lot’s good insights above.  

But, where are you looking to purchase one?  This is an older lens, so it is more than likely a used lens.  I am going to assume that it is used, with some degree of wear and tear showing on it.  

A new lens would come with a lens hood and a lens bag for storage.  Many used lenses do not.  Many used lenses can have mold and mildew growing inside of them.  

So, I ask again.  From where are you planning to buy one?  Inexperienced buyers are taking big chances shopping on eBay, and even Amazon.  Buyer beware.  A good source for used gear are places like KEH, MPB, B&H, and others that I have never used before.  

The Canon Online Refurbished Store is probably the best source for discounted Canon gear.  All of the gear fully checked out, and comes with a one warranty.  A warranty is a very different type of support compared to a “guarantee”.