Canon 15-85 vs Tamron 17-50 (non-VC)

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Aside from the obvious differences (i.e. focal range and aperture) which of these two lenses would you pick if you had to choose just one?

Ideally I'll be shooting mostly indoors for portraits of wife and baby (both close-crop and wider shots) but can't decide which lens would be best suited. I'm thinking that I should go for a faster lens (Tamron) for the relatively low-light that comes with indoor shooting. But would I be missing out on better IQ with the Canon 15-85?

Any thoughts or suggestions?
 
If it's mostly indoors, then definitely the Tamron. The 15-85 might slightly edge it on image quality (but the Tamron is very good indeed), but if you can't get the shutter speed high enough, even the sharpest lens won't give a decent result :)
 
If it's mostly indoors, then definitely the Tamron. The 15-85 might slightly edge it on image quality (but the Tamron is very good indeed), but if you can't get the shutter speed high enough, even the sharpest lens won't give a decent result :)

Agree with everything said there. For the price of the 15-85 you can buy the Tamron and a longer prime like the 85 f1.8 if you buy second hand.
 
Ok, thanks guys - sound advice!

Sometimes you need other people to tell you what you should already know :lol: Makes perfect sense now that you've said it.
 
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Agree with everything said there. For the price of the 15-85 you can buy the Tamron and a longer prime like the 85 f1.8 if you buy second hand.


Edit: Doh. Just re-read this.

I bought mine new. Still, I'm happy with both lenses.
 
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Agree with everything said there. For the price of the 15-85 you can buy the Tamron and a longer prime like the 85 f1.8 if you buy second hand.

I had the same dilemma ages ago and asked the same question. Ended up buying the Tamron and the constant aperture is excellent, still very sharp at f2.8. I have bought a 85 1.8 since then though
 
Am now also considering a wider angle prime, such as the Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM, which seems to gain favourable reviews. Bit more expensive but then again it's very fast.

Anyone used this Sigma lens?
 
Thanks to all for the advice looking at these lens myself The canon 85 f1.8 is a very tempting lens to have.

all the best
 
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