Canon's TS-E 17mm f/4L is a fantastic lens for architectural photography; especially interiors with smaller tight spaces. I am often asked which Canon wide angle tilt-shift lens to purchase (first), so here are some thoughts: 1. The TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II is slightly sharper and better corrected against chromatic aberration. Another asset for the 24mm is that is much easier to use with filters (I use the Lee Foundation kit with 4" x 6" gradient neutral density (GND) filters). The 24mm is my go-to tilt-shift lens and I prefer it for landscapes. But, when I need a wider field of view, especially for architecture, I regularly reach for the TS-E 17mm f/4L lens. 2. Although the 24mm tilt-shift is in some ways better, the TS-E 17mm f/4, might be the best tilt-shift to start with for any one of three reasons: 1. You plan to shoot interiors, 2. You plan to shoot cityscapes with tall highrise buildings (shooting downtown NY or Chicago for example), 3. You supplement your purchase with a Canon 1.4x EF Extender III. Extenders work beautifully with Canon's tilt-shift lenses, and a TS-E 17mm f/4L used in conjunction with a 1.4x extender will produce a 24mm focal length. One final note to those considering this lens: The bulbous nature of the front element makes using filters a challenge. But, thanks to Fotodiox, you can use a circular polarizer and neutral density filters with this lens with their "WonderPana" filter system, which they have made custom fit to this lens (they also have WonderPanas for other bulbous lenses, like Canon's excellent EF 14L f/2.8L II). The WonderPana simply attaches to the TS-E 17mm f/4L exactly the same way the lens cap snaps on. A brilliant design by Fotodiox! I still can't use GND filters with the lens, but between the the 1.4x Extender III and the WonderPana system, I can mostly replicate the TS-E 24mm with the TS-E 17mm. I still prefer having and using both, which I do, but knowing these things might be helpful for those struggling with the dilemma of either starting with a TS-E 17 vs the TS-E 24mm.

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Sharp, sharp, sharp with a world of creative possibilities.
Only lens capable of changing perspective and depth of focus in the same aperture.
Shifting and stitching can make pictures as wide as 11mm equivalent without fisheye effect.
Easy to focus in manual mode (do not have auto mode)

Expensive, and not easy to operate in tilt and shift mode.
Camera exposure metering will not work in shift and tilt modes.
Front element VERY exposed... take much care.
Do not accept front filters.

This lens can do lots of things that others dont. Amazing for landscape, architecture and panorama.
But its not a lens for beginners, changing the perspective, controlling light, focus depth all hand holding requires some training.
With a good tripod, some patience and a good post processing software it can deliver an amazing 11mm equivalent picture. Amazing for tight spaces.
Image quality is superb, very sharp, amazing colors...
But as the front element is very bulky, it is a very fragile lens. Handle with extremely care.

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