Canon 15-85mm for 500D

Phall82

Phall82

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Colin
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Hi all

I'm stuck in two minds. I have a 500D and have only had it a few months but I've caught the bug and I'm desperate to upgrade but don't yet have the money for the 7D and 15-85mm I crave.

My question is, is it worth me upgrading my 18-55 IS kit lens for the 15-85 in the mean time while I wait for the money for the full upgrade or would the 15-85 be too much for the 500D anyway? It would still be a stretch to afford the £500+ lens but with a baby on the way in September I don't want to feel I've not got the best available to me (for my budget).

Any thoughts on the improvements with the 15-85 with a 500D over the IS kit lens?

Thanks

Colin
 
Unless you need a feature or ability that your camera doesn't have or you have a real issue with the handling I think lenses are a much better idea than a new camera.

I've never used the kit lens but my niece had one and didn't have a good thing to say about it. I'm pretty sure that the 15-85mm is a nice lens but why not consider a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 or the similar Sigma 18-50mm f2.8? They're a lot cheaper and although they don't have the zoom range they're f2.8 which the Canon isn't.
 
The 15-85 is a cracking lens.The build quality is the best in the EFS range by a long way.It feels very nice in the hand.The IS is also very good.It's also as sharp as the 24-105L.
The negatives-it suffers from zoom creep and vignesstes like a b****r when used wide open.It's a shame it isn't F4 throughout the range but you know that before you buy it.

I would wait before upgrading to the 7D.Get to know your 500D first.

Cheers
Gary
 
vulcan2912 said:
The 15-85 is a cracking lens.The build quality is the best in the EFS range by a long way.It feels very nice in the hand.The IS is also very good.It's also as sharp as the 24-105L.
The negatives-it suffers from zoom creep and vignesstes like a b****r when used wide open.It's a shame it isn't F4 throughout the range but you know that before you buy it.

I would wait before upgrading to the 7D.Get to know your 500D first.

Cheers
Gary
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I agree here but not all of these 15-85 lenses suffer lens creep. Some are fine. Great sharp lens!!!
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll leave the 7D (for now) and upgrade to the 15-85mm.

I'm happy with the 500D generally, I just think I'm missing out with having the kit lens.

Thanks
 
I think that's a great idea. Also, do you have a zoom lens (ie the 70-200 f/4) ?
 
I've got the 7D/15-85 combo and I've very impressed with it :)

The lens is nice and sharp and I find the AF very good/fast and tbh, I can't find anything negative to say about it.....
 
aeronic said:
I think that's a great idea. Also, do you have a zoom lens (ie the 70-200 f/4) ?
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Yeah, that's the lens I've got. That's what made me want to improve my standard 18-55IS lens. I've also got the 50mm 1.8 which is amazing in low light.

If i changed to the 15-85 I'd be happy with those 3... For now :-)
 
The other alternative is the sigma/tamron 17-50 f/2.8 lens which will give you great low light performance in a zoom. (for about £250)
 
Russ77 said:
I've got the 7D/15-85 combo and I've very impressed with it :)

The lens is nice and sharp and I find the AF very good/fast and tbh, I can't find anything negative to say about it.....
Click to expand...

I agree, it's a great combo, and the 15-85 lens is excellent.

When I had the 450D, I started with the same kit lens (18-55) and upgraded this to the Sigma 17-70 OS HSM which can be picked up for £340 new. It's a very good lens, definitely a step up from the kit lens, and f2.8 at the widest was handy. The 'macro' functionality is also useful.

I'm actually keeping the lens (selling the 450D body), even though I have the range covered by the 15-85.
 
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