Walk-around lens for 7D2

EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 is my standard go-to lens on the 70D. I also have the 18-135mm STM as a general purpose lens but it has been relegated to standard duty on the SL1 body.

All good food for thought. Thanks

Even with several L series EF lenses and full frame body, the 15-85mm and 7D is my favorite combination for general strolling around with a camera. I may have gotten lucky, quality of my images is excellent and better than the 24-105mm L.

Sounds great and everyone seems to love the 15-85, the 17-55 and more recently the 18-135 STM.

I am probably in the minority on this next observation but, having owned or extensively tried out about four Rebels (including my current SL1), plus the 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D and 7D, I have never once found that a full frame lens performs better on a crop than a full frame. Say what you want about the crop producing the better part of the frame, etc.

So, I tend to like and prefer the size and weight of the EF-S lenses on my lighter crop Canon SLRs.

Of course, I think my 35 f/2 IS would shine even on a toy camera - it is that good.

Eastport wrote in post #17520168
Sounds great and everyone seems to love the 15-85, the 17-55 and more recently the 18-135 STM.

I am probably in the minority on this next observation but, having owned or extensively tried out about four Rebels (including my current SL1), plus the 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D and 7D, I have never once found that a full frame lens performs better on a crop than a full frame. Say what you want about the crop producing the better part of the frame, etc.

So, I tend to like and prefer the size and weight of the EF-S lenses on my lighter crop Canon SLRs.

Of course, I think my 35 f/2 IS would shine even on a toy camera - it is that good.

It's not surprising that EF-S lenses work great on crop bodies, because that's what they are designed for.

I have bad copies of both the 15-85 and the 17-55 so Canon is far from infallible - but your luck might be better.

True, but it does not explain why I don't think the EF lenses are as good on the crop as they are on the full frame. Other than the full frame tending to be a better camera -

I once had a mediocre 17-55 btw. And the test results don't show it any better than the 15-85 or 18-135 STM if I recall correctly. Indeed, in some cases it's worse. But that f/2.8 can be nice to have in a walk around. http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=3​&APIComp=3

Never have tried the 15-85 but will some day. Sounds like a great one lens solution but I have the 10-18 too so I really don't think I need the 15-18 part of the 15-85.

Eastport wrote in post #17520209
True, but it does not explain why I don't think the EF lenses are as good on the crop as they are on the full frame. Other than the full frame tending to be a better camera -

I once had a mediocre 17-55 btw. And the test results don't show it any better than the 15-85 or 18-135 STM if I recall correctly. Indeed, in some cases it's worse. But that f/2.8 can be nice to have in a walk around. http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=3​&APIComp=3

Never have tried the 15-85 but will some day. Sounds like a great one lens solution but I have the 10-18 too so I really don't think I need the 15-18 part of the 15-85.

There's no doubt the 15-85 is a wonderful zoom range. Having the 10-18 and 18-55 also covers the wide end, and more, but changing lenses is a hassle and can result in missed shots.

That's why I got the 15-85, it is such a promising walk around lens - it's just that mine is not such a great performer.

Archibald wrote in post #17520227
That's why I got the 15-85, it is such a promising walk around lens - it's just that mine is not such a great performer.

You have the 7D2, so can AFMA help? Or is it beyond that and requires a trip to Canon? I was really happy with mine.

Lbsimon wrote in post #17520230
You have the 7D2, so can AFMA help? Or is it beyond that and requires a trip to Canon? I was really happy with mine.

I'm jealous!

My 15-85 works OK, but is just not that sharp and has lackluster contrast. Can a repair fix that? I'm doubting that. Canon charges big bucks for lens repair and I don't want the hassle and expense of a repair if it likely won't help much.

Archibald wrote in post #17520254
I'm jealous!

My 15-85 works OK, but is just not that sharp and has lackluster contrast. Can a repair fix that? I'm doubting that. Canon charges big bucks for lens repair and I don't want the hassle and expense of a repair if it likely won't help much.

A little OT: no matter how I liked my 15-85 on the 70D, it could not match a combination of the 6D with the 24-105L, so off it went to Craigslist.

I was amazed by my copy of the 17-55 IS
The newer 24mm pancake lens and Sigma f1.8 zoom didn't exist yet.

If I had a crop camera, I would try the newer lenses, but I found no fault in my 17-55 IS
I suggest using a hood in sunny conditions, sometimes it would flare on the wide end.

From what I've seen on charts and comparison pictures the 18-135 STM has about the same IQ as the 17-55 USM.

So I guess it's upto whether you prefer more range or more speed.

I used to have the 18-135 STM and very much enjoyed but I got bored of it and sold it and got the 24mm pancake

Lbsimon wrote in post #17520345
A little OT: no matter how I liked my 15-85 on the 70D, it could not match a combination of the 6D with the 24-105L, so off it went to Craigslist.

My experience is just the opposite - the crop comparison beats the full frame when comparing the same lenses. Now the 24-70mm f/2.8 is a different matter. This has replaced my walk around lens on 6D.

I'd never considered selling my 15-85mm before the 24-70mm came along, it's that good. But now I seldom use the 7D with anything but telephoto zooms, so I think I'm going to sell it, and the 24-105mm.

Nethawked wrote in post #17522438
My experience is just the opposite - the crop comparison beats the full frame when comparing the same lenses. Now the 24-70mm f/2.8 is a different matter. This has replaced my walk around lens on 6D.

I'd never considered selling my 15-85mm before the 24-70mm came along, it's that good. But now I seldom use the 7D with anything but telephoto zooms, so I think I'm going to sell it, and the 24-105mm.

I think I was not clear enough. I was comparing the 15-85 on the 70D with the 24-105 on the 6D. In fact I never mounted the 24-105 on a crop and I don't even know what the result would be. So I think we are saying the same thing.

And like you, now the 70D is used only with the 100-400 II.