EF-S 17-85mm question

[stevekwiz]

I currently have the 300D with the kit lens. From what you already know about the new EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, is that something worth taking a serious look at? How important is IS in this range? How much better is the glass and the autofocus?

FYI, I also have a 55-200 Canon lens, which I would sell on eBay with the kit lens, and the 100-400 IS, which I ove. I am also going to buy the 20D by Christmas if I can swing it.

Thanks for your input.

[CoolToolGuy]

I think this lens deserves serious serious consideration when compared with the 28-135 IS as well as the 24-70L. The IS compensates for the lack of speed, and the size makes it easier to carry over the course of a day.

We won't really know how it compares optically until it becomes available, and the independent tests appear.

The range, however, is not available for a 1.6x crop camera in any single lens.

I will be watching the test results very closely.

Have Fun,

[JLS Photo]

On paper, the specs for that lens are very tempting. As CTG said, the IS compensates for lack of speed--more specifically, it helps minimize the shake from the photographer, but it doesn't give you a faster shutter speed. The distinction is important when we are talking about moving targets (cars, kids, sports, etc.).

Although it's not fair to judge the lens just yet, the pre-production shots I've seen have suffered from very bad purple fringing. I hope this is just due to the pre-production status.

[Andy_T]

As you already have the kit lens for your DRebel, there are 3 questions:

1) How is the image quality of the new lens compared to the kit lens and the 28-135 IS ... nobody can answer that question right now. Wait for some tests. However, assuming that the image quality of the 17-85 is not much better than the kit lens, then questions 2 and 3 become interesting...

2) Is it not very important for you not to have to change lenses, but you do need IS? If you don't mind to change lenses and want IS, then the 28-135 Is will give you 1.6x more reach (216 vs 135 mm on 35 mm equivalent on the long end)

3) Is it not very important for you not to have to change lenses and do you not need IS? If you don't mind to change lenses and do not need IS, then the Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI will give you superior image quality wide open and a permanent 2.8 aperture. OK, it's not Canon, and you lose 10 mm on the wide end, but the image quality difference will be considerable.

Best regards,
Andy