Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, reviewed by drmaxx

drmaxx wrote in post #17354277
Here's my very personal take on the lens. Not very technical - as I also ignored the rating for the more technical aspects.

This is my grab and go lens for my crop 60D. Usually the only lens I have along while traveling. Very versatile range (equivalent to 24 - 136 on a full frame) that covers most outdoors situations. The other main use are candid shots of outdoor parties, where you can switch fast between group shots and single portraits. Not perfect as the aperture is not exactly large enough to get perfect head shots - but for dynamic candid situations it is quite forgiving.

Picture quality is great for a zoom lens. There is substantial barrel distortion and vignetting on the wide end. Lightroom deals with that quite well. But besides a soft spot on the wide end it is amazing sharp.

There are better lenses for any specific given task. There are faster lenses, there are sharper lenses. But as an all-rounder lens it is really a great zoom lens - especially on a crop body.

Agree. I love mine on my 60D as well. Its extremely versatile.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/g94t​hp

I agree also. I have mine on my 7D and have got some really excellent shots with it. It also goes everywhere with me. I am surprised it doesn't get more press from other camera sites.

Just hired one for the weekend as I wanted to try it out before buying. It only came in to my work this morning so have only had a brief play at lunchtime, seems a very nice range and it's nice and sharp.
Will be having a right go with it over the weekend.
The good thing is my 72mm filters for my Sigma will fit.

Woofess wrote in post #17426780
I agree also. I have mine on my 7D and have got some really excellent shots with it. It also goes everywhere with me. I am surprised it doesn't get more press from other camera sites.

The Canon 15-85mm is mentioned quite often on other sites in my experience. Its interesting that references to this lens often focus on the cost and indicate that the lens is way overpriced. I find that odd considering the quality of the build, the quality of the optics and the absolutely unique focal range, which goes from UWA territory to medium telephoto. The perfect general walk around lens IMHO. People who actually own one and use it regularly are more apt to say that rather than overpriced, this lens is a bargain.

Well, the hire over the weekend went well - so well in fact that I have gone and bought one and expect it to be delivered tomorrow.
Only gripe is lens creep but I really like the quality and colour rendition and 15-85 is a great range to have.

You can always try the o-ring fix for the lens creep.

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=14803139

vertigo235 wrote in post #17467435
You can always try the o-ring fix for the lens creep.

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=14803139

Hah! That's my fix.

I just ran a little comparison of my 15-85mm against my 18-55mm STM. They are very close, but in most of the comparisons I ran, at the same focal lengths, the 18-55mm STM is a bit sharper and shows better contrast. Is this to be expected? Do I have a dud 15-85mm?

OK, my previous post referred to comparing the center of the images.

I just checked the edges, expecting the 15-85mm to be much better. Instead I found the lowly 18-55mm kit lens to be significantly better.

Thanks for the O ring link - I will see if I can blag one from my work's Maintenance dept and give it a go.
Oddly enough, my new lens came in the mail yesterday and it seems so far my copy has less creep than the hire one I just sent back but maybe that's because it came without a hood.

briser_fae_the_broch wrote in post #17468788
Thanks for the O ring link - I will see if I can blag one from my work's Maintenance dept and give it a go.
Oddly enough, my new lens came in the mail yesterday and it seems so far my copy has less creep than the hire one I just sent back but maybe that's because it came without a hood.

Not every 15-85 creeps, but in my experience the majority will creep to varying degrees. Generally the creep is between around 24-50 mm, but as I said, it does vary. It also varies depending on the angle of the lens with the worse creep occurring when the lens is pointed straight up or straight down. Some people have a copy that creeps but have never noticed it until they've specifically tested for it. If you carry your camera on a neck strap and don't normally shoot either up or down at extreme angles, you may not notice it either. Most new copies don't exhibit any creep out of the box, but develop it over the first few weeks of use. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones.

Just to confirm mine creeps exactly where you stated, from about 24 then maybe going a little past 50mm.
It's not too bad though, mostly happens when walking with camera hanging down on strap.

Just to add to this 'creeping' issue: Mine definitely has creep. And it doesn't help that I have my camera on a shoulder sling where it hangs most of the time on my hip. I don't consider it a problem as I usually use this lens to shoot by hand in dynamic situations. I could imagine that it is definitely annoying, if you have it on a tripod and at high or low angles.

I certainly will have a look at the o-ring/rubber band idea.

Here's my simple solution. Just took a silicon rubber band from my kitchen
http://www.amazon.com …tailpages02?ie=​UTF8&psc=1