 Unlike most other EF-S lenses, the 17–55mm does not have a direct equivalent in the range of traditional EF lenses.As a general purpose EF-S zoom lens, the alternatives to the 17–55mm are the EF-S 18–55mm 3.5–5.6, which is a cheaper kit lens; the EF-S 17–85mm 4–5.6 IS USM, which is midway between the 18–55mm and 17–55mm in some respects — depending on which version of the 18–55 one is comparing — and boasts a longer telephoto end; and the newer EF-S 15–85mm 3.5–5.6 IS USM, which has similar build quality to the 17–55mm and the largest focal length range of the group.The 17–55 is at times compared to the EF 17–40mm 4L USM, which has similar image quality (despite the latter being L series and the 17–55 not being so designated), though the 17–55's faster aperture and IS make it more suited (by one stop) for hand-holding and available light photography.