Thinking of buying the 15-85 canon

I am shooting a 7D and have a 10-20 sigma (very pleased with it) and a 100-400 along with the kit lens 18-135 which I want to replace with a better lens. It is not bad but the images are nothing like my sigma or 100-400. Budget is a bit of a concern. I was looking at the 15-85 but wondering if it will produce that much better images. The 17-55 would probably be my first choice but lacking on the zoom end and the price is a little out of my range. Just wondering what you guys that have the 15-85 think. Also open to a sigma or tamron lens. I really like the range of the 18-135. Any good lens in that range?
Thanks for any help on this
KC

The 15-85 is a good upgrade. You'll see an improvement.

I have had a 15-85 and it is a darn good lens. You would love it.

I had both the 15-85mm and the 18-135mm and I would take the 15-85mm any day. I was never satisfied with the picture quality from the 18-135mm.

Yes, the 15-85 would do nicely. With that wide 15mm, you'll find yourself reaching for the Sigma a whole lot less.

The only knock I have against the 15-85 is its relative slowness, which occasionally can lead to missed opportunities (bring a flash if shooting people indoors; there's also an occasional situation where a bigger aperture would be nice for more DOF control). The IQ is nice and the lens feels good in the hand.

Buy used and worst case if it's not your style you can sell on for minimal loss.

I had a 15-85mm and I think it's a great lens and I wish there was a 24-135mm f/4 equivalent for FF of equal quality. Really like my 24-105mm but the reach to 135mm makes it so versatile.

Plus however many!

The 15-85 is a great general purpose lens. It spends probably 90% of the time on my T2i. It is slower, but the versatility makes up for most of that.

The 15-85 is a cracking lens superb IQ and a good focal range for a crop camera.

It's glued on my 40D but once in a while I pry it off to give the 85 1.8 a work out.

I like my 15-85, my neighbor liked mine enough that he bought one too.

artyman wrote in post #14610082
The 15-85 is a cracking lens superb IQ and a good focal range for a crop camera.

What Ken said!

Just got a new 60D on 6/12 and paired it with a used 15-85 I picked up based on lotsa research. While I don't have anything to compare it to, the results are superb. Very sharp, fast focus (I haven't missed a shot), a little slow for indoors w/o flash (so I have a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 on the way).

I wanted something that:
1) had excellent IQ (this is described as a "stealth L lens") - check

2) was wider than the kit lenses and their alternatives (15MM provides an extra 2-3mm and that is a nice width enhancement) - check

3) Something with just a tad more reach than the 40-70mm zoom lengths for most of the usual alternatives - check

4) a terrific "stay on the camera" walk around lens that gave me good flexibility and great IQ, plus didn't put a crick in my neck or look like I was carrying a howitzer - check.

5) didn't have any quirky performance issues (front focus, back focus, etc.) - check

Heartily recommended.

I've had the 15-85 IS for about 3 years, and it is a superb lens. It stays on my 60D about 85% of the time. Try it; you'll love it!

how would the 15-85 compare against say 18-55 IS II , I never used the 18-135 . I wish Canon made some faster zooms w/o having to go L lens .

have 17-55 on 1 40d and 15-85 on 2nd 40d; i don't see that much if any difference in iq unless you really really pixel peep or print 24x36 [I have access to hp z3200 23" wide printer lol]