15-85, 17-85, or 18-135???

I'm 64 with a bad back and neck, shot SLRs for years and had a darkroom. 6 years ago I went to a compact plus a G7, but have decided to go back to a compact(just got S95) and a DSLR. I probably will get a 60D (otherwise a T3i). I have a 50 1.8 II. When I travel and walk around, I will only carry one lens and am leaning toward the 18-135 because of weight, range, and price. But it isn't USM. I use PSE9, enjoy taking good photos, but am not a fanatic. I will get a longer zoom or FF in the near future. There would be limited printing.

The 17-85 is a little more money, F4-5.6, has USM, has less range, and is about the same weight.

The 15-85 has rave reviews, is USM, is 25% heavier, and 60% more expensive.

Will I see a significant difference in these lenes? Any suggestions or words of wisdom.

I tried one of these at a local shop. I really loved the extra 2mm you get on the wide end with the 15-85mm. The picture was tack sharp too. It wasn't really a heavy lens to me, but then again I'm 6'2 215lbs. Nothing really is that heavy for me.

If you shoot on the wide end alot, I'd choose the 15-85mm.

The 15-85 is not very heavy at all.
The IQ is spectacular. The range is great and the AF is fast and quiet.

It's as good or better than the 17-55.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=3​&APIComp=2

Haven't seen anyone really knock it.

Good luck.

Karl

Do you see clearly sharper pictures in your 15-85IS than the 18-55IS? Is the resolution advantage of the 15-85 going to show up in your photos? I have been happy with my 18-55IS, but would like a wider range.

I think so.
The kit lens is not a bad lens but the 15-85 looks much sharper.

On the 15-85mm watch out for asymmetrical vignetting, that really bit me in the ass. Get a good copy and tis very good though. Super sharp, and 15mm is win.

Otherwise, the 18-135mm is not nearly as bad as people say--it's quite nice, actually.

15-85mm

+1 for the 15-85mm.

the 18-135 is not a great lens, allot of distortion especially on the long end.

15-85 is a great lens, if you enjoy high quality images. This would be the best walk around lens for the 60D.

17-85 is a compromise. It is good lens. But not as good as the 15-85.

artyH wrote in post #11976809
Do you see clearly sharper pictures in your 15-85IS than the 18-55IS? Is the resolution advantage of the 15-85 going to show up in your photos? I have been happy with my 18-55IS, but would like a wider range.

I did. Started with the kit 18-55is, went to Sigma 17-70 (non OS), and now have the 15-85is. To my eye, the 15-85is is sharper and has better color/contrast than the 18-55is. It also does not need to be stopped down to get sharp results.

If you can tolerate the added weight,

the 15-85 IS USM is just wonderful. I have always wanted to take one home with me!

it would be my go-to lens if canon didn't make their mirrors stick out so damn much(nikon and sony got you beat hands down on this one)

the focal length is so natural on it. nose bleed sharp too.

15-85

The other two are no comparison

I ordered my 7D with the 15-85, its a very good lens.

I have not used the 15-85 other than briefly at a trade fair but I hear good things about it. The lens certainly felt nice in the hand and seemed like a good lens. It is rather expensive however.

The 17-85 has good IS, goes quite wide, and has very good focusing and moderate size and weight. Optically it is mostly OK but at the wide end, there is strong barrel distortion and lots of chromatic aberration. Used with DxO Optics Pro, or even Canon's DPP in raw, it becomes a much better lens after the aberrations are corrected. The aperture is a bit slow too starting at only f/4 and quickly reaching f/5.6 at only 45mm. These are now very inexpensive used so it is quite good value.

The 18-135 doesn't go quite as wide and doesn't have ring USM or FTM like the 17-85 but I find it to be a quite a nice lens in practice. The IS is very effective and using DxO to correct distortions makes it seem like a better lens than it is. Sharpness seems quite good in my copy, noticeably better than the 18-200. It starts at f/3.5 and doesn't reach 5.6 until 62mm.

Go for the 15-85 it's a superb lens.