Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

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dave_walton

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Dave
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I'm looking for a bit of advice really, does anybody have the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, I'm looking for a new walk about / holiday lens to go on my 7D.

I currently have the Canon 17-40 F/4.0L and I am just not happy with the photo's it takes, I had the 17-55 F/2.8 IS previously and I liked the pictures that took.

I think with the range it will partner nicely with my 70-200 F/4.0L IS and I already have the 50mm F/1.8 II and may get an 85mm F/1.8 and a 35mm prime in the future for lower light.

All advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Dave Stone said:
Hi Dave. Why aren't you happy with the 17-40 images?
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I guess the lens feels a bit short for me and I was looking at complementing my setup with the 24-105L, then I came across this lens.

I think I may not have too steady a hand and I think the IS on my previous 17-55 F/2.8 really helped.
 
I would go for a 24-105 f4L. I have had one before and stupidly sold it so I'm getting another and keeping this one! I find the focal length just about perfect for me and the image quality is SO nice!! I may get the 17-40 for landscape or the Carl Zeiss 18mm or 21mm manual focus lens for EOS cameras, now they really are stunning!!!!!
 
The 15-85 is a good walkround lens with decent IQ, although not an L it is pretty sharp and covers a good range. I find it a good complement to my Sigma 150-500

http://SPAM/c3whur/Trains/Img_1845.jpg
 
One thing to note about the 15-85 is it has lens creep when pointed up and down. Just something to consider. Apart from that it is a damn fine lens with good focal range.
 
Alan, Look at the Carl Zeiss lenses for EOS, expensive but HOLY COW!! Sharp as a surgeon's scalpel.:D I'm looking at the 21mm f2.8 for wide (although not that wide on crop!)
 
I have the 15-85 on my 7D, I love it. Great quality IQ from it, nice and sharp and that 15mm is lovely....
 
mipevo6 said:
I have the 15-85 on my 7D, I love it. Great quality IQ from it, nice and sharp and that 15mm is lovely....
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That's what really sells this lens, the 15mm end! Great image quality and nice and wide too!
 
I have one and it's a pretty nice lens.Feels a hell of a lot better built than the 17-55.
Vignetting is it's weak point but Lightroom fixes that with no problems at all.
Not really noticed any zoom creep.It does move while walking about but so does the 24-105L.
IQ is ok and the IS is nice.It is definitely the nicest "feeling" EFS on the market.

Cheers
Gary

PS Zeiss 21mm is nice but a total waste of money on a cropper.The moustache distortion is also a pita.
 
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Keep the 17-40. It is a tack sharp lens. Get the 24-105 as a walkabout lens. Even on a crop body it has a very good range and again, tack sharp.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean when you say
I am just not happy with the photo's it takes
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about the 17-40. Mine is sharp as a sharp thing at all focal lengths and apatures.
 
Dave Stone said:
I'm not sure I understand what you mean when you say about the 17-40. Mine is sharp as a sharp thing at all focal lengths and apatures.
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It might be just that time of year where everything looks dull and uninspiring.
 
mipevo6 said:
I have the 15-85 on my 7D, I love it. Great quality IQ from it, nice and sharp and that 15mm is lovely....
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Totally agree. :thumbs:

The 15-85 is a much better walkabout lens than the 24-105. The 24-105 is a great lens (I know because I have one as well) but it's just not wide enough.

Get the 15-85, you won't regret it. I didn't. :D
 
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Been checking up on this lens and it does look like an ideal lens for me. I prefer the wider range and it would save me having to buy a wide angle lens. I have had a Canon 10-22mm and that was w-i-d-e!!! too wide really! Nice lens though!

I'm gonna have to think hard about this one!
 
Well - I've got both the 15-85 and the 17-40L and to be honest, If I just want a single lens for a day out shooting, then I'll fit the 15-85 unless the weather looks a bit mankey. If there's a chance that I'll be shooting with the odd drop of rain in the air, or it's misty then i'll go for the 17-40. The 17-40's a bit sharper I reckon - not necessarily because of some mythical L glass magic, but because it's covering a smaller range and can be engineered with fewer compromises. But that smaller range means I often need additional lenses, and end up with a rucsack full of kit rather than a camera, lens and a toploader 70. I originally got the 15-85 as a kitted lens with the 7d, thinking that if I didn't like it, I'd be able to move it on for what I'd paid for it and put the money towards a 24-105L. Problem is I liked the 15-85 enough to want to keep hold of it for now. Maybe after I've given it a more thorough workout later in the year when I'm freed up to shoot a little more :shrug:

I generally shoot landscape stuff, try very hard not to take photos of people, and don't often bother with wide aperture stuff, but I do shoot on full frame as well, so I'm happy enough to have the F4 holy trinity.
 
AndyWest said:
Been checking up on this lens and it does look like an ideal lens for me. I prefer the wider range and it would save me having to buy a wide angle lens. I have had a Canon 10-22mm and that was w-i-d-e!!! too wide really! Nice lens though!
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I used to carry the 10-22 and 24-105 but found myself having to keep changing between them because the 24-105 wasn't wide enough. The 15-85 has stopped all that and although the 10-22 will still get used sometimes the 24-105 is unlikely to see light of day again unless I go full frame.
 
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