Canon 15-85mm for an amateur photographer

Just got into photography last year. Sold off my 18-135mm which I got as kit lens as it was limiting my abilities.

Finally got hold of new EF-S 15-85mm today and took some random pics walking around outside today evening with my 60D and I have to tell you I was impressed. Good feel to this lens and I hope no dust issues due to double barrel. Looks like a good walk around lens on a crop sensor SLR to me and I hope this is not a soft copy.

Only thing I am not impressed is with shooting kids indoors in low light because of aperture. I can always use my 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8 prime indoors, but sometimes they are not wide enough. This lens is just not fast enough indoors in my opinion. I hope my 430 EXII will compensate indoors. Some "random" pics attached.

http://s88003226.onlin​ehome.us/images/IMAGE1​.JPG
http://s88003226.onlin​ehome.us/images/IMAGE2​.JPG
http://s88003226.onlin​ehome.us/images/IMAGE3​.JPG
http://s88003226.onlin​ehome.us/images/IMAGE4​.JPG
http://s88003226.onlin​ehome.us/images/IMAGE5​.JPG
http://s88003226.onlin​ehome.us/images/IMAGE6​.JPG

Thanks for the pics. Thinking about replacing my 18-55IS with either this or the Sigma 17-70 OS.

You can bump up the ISO under indoor conditions, we all know what the limitations are with doing that.

But even when using a 50mm 1.4, there are going to be times when you're going to want to shoot at smaller apertures. So if and when possible, I like to use a speedlight and bounce off of a ceiling or wall.

A 430EX II should be more than enough under most situations. I've even used the 430 in several weddings with no problems.

I thought I was into the whole "fast primes indoors" thing too, but I realized that other than the moody, low key stuff, good bounced flash looks better anyway. A little warming gel and bounce card can make for some great indoor pics.

bresdogsr wrote in post #12988194
Thanks for the pics. Thinking about replacing my 18-55IS with either this or the Sigma 17-70 OS.

Sigma is also a good option too, but this lens is discounted to $739.99 and I didn't want to miss this opportunity. So I pulled the trigger.

OP, congrats on your new lens. It really is a fine lens, glad you're happy with it. For me, this lens replaced a Sigma 10-20 & 17-70 non-OS combo and I'm really pleased with it. You'll be fine with the 430ex indoors.

Yeah I've been eyeing this lens too and also debating between this and the 17-70 OS. So hard to justify the extra $300 especially since there's so much other lenses and accesories to buy

Pics look good. Plane pic looks good, this is normal vignetting for the 15-85, plus.. shooting planes against a blue sky is like a torture test for vignetting. As long as your expectations aren't unreasonable.. you'll be quite happy with this lens..it is afterall, a walkaround. Slow, yes, but great in most other aspects.

I had the 15-85 and loved it for IQ but I could not get used to the variable aperture when you zoomed out.

I've had the 15-85 for over a year, it's a good choice.

boingy wrote in post #12988657
Yeah I've been eyeing this lens too and also debating between this and the 17-70 OS. So hard to justify the extra $300 especially since there's so much other lenses and accesories to buy

The $$ is my sticking point as well. I am also debating with myself the benefits of an extra 2mm wide and 15mm long. Will be geting rid of at least one tele and probably the 18-55 so I will make up the $ difference. Decisons Decisions.

I have one too and think it is a fine lens. For indoor shots of kids, I would add my vote to the suggestions of a flash. I often use a Tamron 28-75 for indoor shots of kids and usually shoot in the range of f3.5-4.5--backgrounds are not as blurry, but you have a higher chance of getting all of the face in focus. You would have to go only a little bit slower with that lens. My standard flash setup for kids is a 430EXII, a stofen omnibounce (about $15), and a Demb Flip-It (google it--about $30) to get a little reflected light thrown forward for catchlight in the eyes, etc. It's not as flexible as off camera flash and all that, but it is ample. In fact, I have a good bracket but find I rarely bother using it for candid shots.

paddler4 wrote in post #12990053
I have one too and think it is a fine lens. For indoor shots of kids, I would add my vote to the suggestions of a flash. I often use a Tamron 28-75 for indoor shots of kids and usually shoot in the range of f3.5-4.5--backgrounds are not as blurry, but you have a higher chance of getting all of the face in focus. You would have to go only a little bit slower with that lens. My standard flash setup for kids is a 430EXII, a stofen omnibounce (about $15), and a Demb Flip-It (google it--about $30) to get a little reflected light thrown forward for catchlight in the eyes, etc. It's not as flexible as off camera flash and all that, but it is ample. In fact, I have a good bracket but find I rarely bother using it for candid shots.

Thanks for the feedback. I have the flash, but didn't get anytime to open the box. I definitely need a diffuser and know how to use flash. Those are my projects for next few months when winter sets in on the East Coast.

bresdogsr wrote in post #12989898
The $$ is my sticking point as well. I am also debating with myself the benefits of an extra 2mm wide and 15mm long. Will be geting rid of at least one tele and probably the 18-55 so I will make up the $ difference. Decisons Decisions.

I completely agree with price point but very few good lenses in this focal length category. I tried 24-105 on crop, but when I read so many glowing reviews I had to buy for sake of focal length as well as IQ.

7D, 15-85, 430 EXII, F5, ISO 800, 1/100 ..... Very low light. Think he enjoyed his Bday cake?? (SOOC)

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.