15-85 or 17-40?

On a cropped body it's a no brainer. 15-85 for sure! I have never understood why people use the 17-40 lens on a crop.

Gibbo wrote in post #13910754
On a cropped body it's a no brainer. 15-85 for sure! I have never understood why people use the 17-40 lens on a crop.

Why wouldn't I use a 17-40 on crop? It's a great lens, it's just a little shorter than I'd like. From almost everything I've read, except this thread, the 17-40 is a better lens, build quality, IQ, etc, it's just a short lens.

IQ the 17-40 is about equal to the 17-55.

Apart from it lacks Is , and is a stop slower, and doesnt have as much range.

If you really want the slightly better build quality then perhaps its worth it, but frankly it isnt.

No crop body is properly weather sealed either so thats not a decent argument for it.

15-85. There is no comparison. It's sharper. It's got IS. It's way way way more versatile. If you're not stepping up to full frame, why limit yourself?

then you have this comparison of the two:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=1​&APIComp=0

15-85mm is wider/longer, just as fast over the same range, and has IS...

the 17-40L is the last lens i'd buy on a crop camera...there are so many other crop dedicated lenses that will allow you to take shots that the 17-40L can't do...the same can't be said the other way around...

I'd love to get a wide angle zoom for FF, but the 17-40 just doesn't cut it for me. I really really hope Canon will perform an optical update on it. It's probably the worst performing L-zoom.

I have both which I use with a 7D, the 17-40 takes better photo's while the 15-85 can't be beat as a walk around lense.

So the general consensus is that on a crop body, which I will have for years to come, the 15-85 is a better lens. I'm afraid it's a lower IQ. Anyone own both?

15-85 has BETTER IQ than the 17-40 at all focal lengths and equal apertures. Don't get fooled into thinking that L gives you better optics on your crop. The 15-85 has L-quality optics in my book.

bkdc wrote in post #13911710
15-85 has BETTER IQ than the 17-40 at all focal lengths and equal apertures. Don't get fooled into thinking that L gives you better optics on your crop. The 15-85 has L-quality optics in my book.

Worded improperly, edited out.

MuteGoose wrote in post #13911742
My wife is going to kill me. I just got this 17-40 about a month ago. They are roughly equal value, maybe, hopefully someone wants to even trade lol.

You loved the lens until someone told you that you shouldn't! Stay off the internet at be happy.

bkdc wrote in post #13911478
15-85. There is no comparison. It's sharper.

It's not.

tkbslc wrote in post #13911746
You loved the lens until someone told you that you shouldn't! Stay off the internet at be happy.

No no, I still love it. I haven't even decided to switch. It fits everything I do just fine, and fits my needs just fine.

Mike55 wrote in post #13911749
It's not.

I've owned both. I think it is. Is there objective evidence?

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

The 15-85 IS lens has superb optics for its large zoom range.

Lionel wrote in post #13911669
I have both which I use with a 7D, the 17-40 takes better photo's while the 15-85 can't be beat as a walk around lense.

Yep. I've owned both lenses concurrently as well and that was my conclusion. You can see the results here:

http://www.parkcamper.​com …sus-17-40L-comparison.htm