Canon Lens Comparison...

SaintSLR

SaintSLR

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Am currently using a Canon 60d with a 17-85 lens.

I was considering changing it for the Canon 18-135 STM lens, but keep reading conflicting reports on which is the better lens.

Does anyone have any "real life" experience with both lens's, and which one they feel is better?
 
I rather liked my 18-135 on my 50d, which I used as my travel lens. It was the mk1, non STM version and the STM is meant to be better.

However, it's now sat in a lens pouch as there's something loose inside. I'm not sure what, but at the 18mm end it won't go wider than f/5.6 so something's definitely amiss! Only Canon lens I've ever had fail on me :(
 
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Had a 17-85 a few years back. Currently have an 18-135 stm as my day to day carry around. Its lighter and more versatile than the 17-85 which is heavy and dated now. IQ on the 18-135 is marginally better imo.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll have a go with the 18-135 STM. It'll be nice to have that little bit of extra reach as well.

The other lens I was considering was the 15-85, but that is quite a jump in price!
 
Not sure what the 18-135 is like but, generally speaking, lenses with such a side focal length range are pretty average at best.

IMO, the logical upgrade paths from your 17-85 are the 15-85 or 17-55. I've owned all three and the latter two are both stellar performers and noticably better than the 17-85.
 
I have all of these lenses and the one I use most is the 15-85
the 18-135 stm I tend to use for video on the 70d
The 17-85 I sold many moons ago
 
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Unless you need constant f/2.8, the 15-85 is the best walkabout lens for a crop.
 
There might be a new 15-85mm STM lens out soon for the new 7dmk2 if rumours are to be believed which might be a bit better but otherwise I'm not sure you'll find a better 'Do It All' lens
 
Vertigo1 said:
Not sure what the 18-135 is like but, generally speaking, lenses with such a side focal length range are pretty average at best.
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Suppose it's a trade off, focal range over image quality.

Gazamonk said:
....and more expensive so they should be better.
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Typical!! Better quality = £££!!

Rebel t3i said:
The 17-85 I sold many moons ago
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Are they worth much, a shop offered me £50 for it which I thought was bit low, but wasn't sure?

Vertigo1 said:
Unless you need constant f/2.8, the 15-85 is the best walkabout lens for a crop.
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All the reviews I read point to the 15-85 being a quality bit of kit!

stryvya said:
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...on-fit-lenses/canon-ef-s-18-135mm-f35-56-is-1
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Thanks for the link, will take a look.

Phal said:
There might be a new 15-85mm STM lens out soon
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Hopefully knock down the price of the old version!!
 
I used to have a 18-135mm STM (It came with my 650d which was my first camera) and it was alright but not up to prime or L lens zooms etc. I've never used a 15-85mm but from the reviews etc, I imagine the quality is pretty similar so that alone won't be a reason to change lens. It would come down to whether you prefer the extra wideness of 15-85 over the extra reach of the 18-135mm (the extra wideness of the 15-85mm is likely to be more noticeable because the difference between 85mm and 135mm isn't fantastic).

What do you want? More reach or just better image quality?
 
Phal said:
What do you want? More reach or just better image quality?
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Was originally looking for a bit extra on the long end of the lens, but have recently been thinking of getting a wide angle lens. Started thinking that the 15 might give me that little bit wider that I'm looking for these days. Have got the trusty 70-300 anyway, so do have that range covered.
 
Well if you already have the 17-55mm then you'll probably notice the extra 2mm but I'm not sure it'll be that impressive. I can definitely recommend the Canon EF-S 10-22mm if you want ultra wide and then there's the new Canon EF-S 10-18mm which is a bit cheaper and seems to get good reviews :)
 
Phal said:
I can definitely recommend the Canon EF-S 10-22mm if you want ultra wide and then there's the new Canon EF-S 10-18mm which is a bit cheaper and seems to get good reviews :)
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Have been looking at the wide angle glass. Do you get much distortion at the wide end?
 
odd jim said:
It's not distortion, the 10-22 has the best controlled distortion.

What you see is simply the result of extreme perspective.
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Controlled distortion is definitely distortion :P I didn't say it was bad, I just said there was 'some' hehe :)

At 10mm you can't really get away from it but as you've said, it's well controlled.
 
SaintSLR said:
Are they worth much, a shop offered me £50 for it which I thought was bit low, but wasn't sure?
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You should get between £100-150 for a 17-85 in good nick - £50 is way too low.

I sold my 17-85 for £150 and bought a 15-85 used for £350. I've recently sold the latter for £320 on here. Basically you'd be looking at around £200 to switch to a 15-85.
 
Vertigo1 said:
You should get between £100-150 for a 17-85 in good nick - £50 is way too low.
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I did think that at the time. They were trying to say that the 17-85 is a faulty lens and would cost em to have it repaired. My question to them was "what if it's not broken!!" They wouldn't budge!!

Thanks for the info!
 
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