Canon 24-85mm USM EF lens

[ddjchemist]

I currently have the folowing lenses for my 20D:
~12-24mm Tokina Wide-Angle
~ Canon 17-85mm USM IS
~Canon 85mm f1.8 USM
I am considering selling on ebay 17-85mm lens in order to buy Canon 24-85mm USM lens. Since 24-85mm lens is much cheaper, I could make 200-250USD, which I could invest in buying Canon 70-200mm f2.8 Telephoto lens. Thus, I would have overall range from 12-200mm. Is it wise to replace 17-85mm with 24-85mm? Is the image quality produced with these two lenses significantly different considering that the two lenses have large price difference? Or is this difference due only to the IS in 17-85mm and its 7mm lower-end zoom range?
Cheers..Dan

[jedwards]

I have the 24-85 on a 20D, and I find it to be very good, especially from f/4 on the wide end and wide open on the long end. I can't compare it to the 17-85, but I am sure the IS is nice on the 17-85 - you will have to pay attention to your SS more on the 24-85. The AF performance on the 24-85 is very good, the contrast and color is a bit lacking but can be fixed in post.

24mm is not wide on a crop camera, the 17-85 has an advantage as it could be a single lens solution if you like to travel light once in a while. I was going to pick one up instead of the 24-85, but my funds were short by about $250.

[nitsch]

Well having owned the 24-85 and now owning the 17-85 here is my take on it.

The 24-85 is a nice lens which produces good results, however the 17-85 is noticeably sharper, has IS and has a more useful range at the wide end (I see you have a 12-24 so this aspect may have less importance for you). In summary, there is no way I'd revert back to the 24-85 just to get £200 in my back pocket, it's simply not worth it IMHO.

Bear in mind that this is only my opinion though based on the copies of the lenses that I owned, hope it helps though. If you are dead set on doing this swap it might be worth finding a store that will let you try the 24-85 before you get rid of the 17-85 otherwise you might end up regretting it.

[Billginthekeys]

NO. keep the better lens and save up. you loose range AND more importantly IS. you will regret loosing IS im sure, esspeically only over $200

[ddjchemist]

Thanks a lot for your replies. You convinced me to keep 17-85mm.
Dan