…that I have yet another lens. In my defence, in the middle of this severe case of gear acquisition syndrome, I had the wideangle zoom planned already last summer so this not a whim. Since I went full frame, I haven’t had an extreme wideangle that takes filters. So it was never a question of if I need it or not, it was only a question of which – the Canon 16-35/2.8 or 17-40/4. Plan A was the cheaper and smaller 17-40/4 but then I started having second thoughts and I’ve spent the winter agonising if I should get the 16-35/2.8 instead.

What tipped me over (or back) to the 17-40/4 was the fact that the other Canon wide zoom has an 82mm filter thread. So not only would I pay more for the lens, but I would also have to invest in a filter system and a whole new set of filters, plus then go through the trouble of carrying them around and actually bothering to use the system (big deal – I have some experience with a square filter system and I hate it).

At this point I’m buying the gear second hand, a bit nervous about it because I’m not used to trusting my fellow human beings to deliver as promised, but everything turned out fine and the lens looks as good as new. After taking a generous two pictures (one at 17 and another at 40mm), I can confirm the first impression and say that I got a good deal.

I’m going to the cabin for Easter and it looks like it’s going to be a beautiful weekend – perfect when you have a new lens to play with!