Should I get a EF 24-105mm

Looking to add a new lens to the bag. Keep looking primarily at the 24-105 along with the 15-85. Been reading the comparison's on the two lens on this site and others (Also looked at 17-55) . Most are talking about use a landscape lens. My primary use would be for people shots. Family functions, etc. In that case would the 24-105 be a better choice for use on a 7D. Or would a prime be better than any of the choices? I have no plans at this time to go FF

[Edit: I'm confused, do you own the 15-85 and you're looking to replace it? Or are you debating which one to get? What do you have now? I originally wrote this reply thinking you were looking at the 24-105 as an upgrade from the 15-85.]

It would be a fine general-purpose lens and really would have a lot of overlap with your existing lens except on the wide end. If you get it you might want to ditch the 15-85 for something even wider rather than having both.

And that said, how do you like your 15-85? You could just keep it and complement it with a wider or longer lens.

A prime could be better for people shots but depends on the style you're going for. If you want more intimate portraits with shallow DOF then you do want a prime. For candid shots at family events, you may find the zoom preferable.

Sorry it does sound confusing. I do not own either lens trying to decide which to buy

Pauhana wrote in post #14964878
Sorry it does sound confusing. I do not own either lens trying to decide which to buy

Mine sees a lot of use on my 7D. What other lenses do you have. Looking at your posting history in the bird area, sounds like you should get a 600/4 II as a walk around lens.

I would look at the 17-55 as it offers both a fast(er) aperture of f/2.8 and IS. I think this would be the best option since you mention family functions which may or may not be indoors, and no plans for FF. if you do want a prime look at the 28mm f/1.8, 35mm f/2, or the 50s (f/1.8 or f/1.4).

I like it on my 40D, but I'm crazy about it on the 5Dc.

I have a 60D with a 15-85 and just bought a 24-105. I have a 10-22 lens for the wide angle and think I can get by with the 24-105 as my walk around lens. I'd like to go full frame at some point, so I'm starting to convert my lens when I get a chance and can now combine filters (77mm size).

FEChariot wrote in post #14964959
Mine sees a lot of use on my 7D. What other lenses do you have. Looking at your posting history in the bird area, sounds like you should get a 600/4 II as a walk around lens.

Yep that's really is what's on my wish list. Right now the only lens i use is sigma 150-500. Shoot almost exclusively birds. Yes it's an addiction.

Pauhana wrote in post #14964653
Looking to add a new lens to the bag. Keep looking primarily at the 24-105 along with the 15-85. Been reading the comparison's on the two lens on this site and others (Also looked at 17-55) . Most are talking about use a landscape lens. My primary use would be for people shots. Family functions, etc. In that case would the 24-105 be a better choice for use on a 7D. Or would a prime be better than any of the choices? I have no plans at this time to go FF

depends, for portrait work there is nothing like fast primes. for family function zooms are better IMO, more versatile. also a prime isnt going to help you out in landscape unless you get a really wide one.

if you want a general purpose zoom, id go with the 15-85, it was made for crops and is very sharp, plus its lighter. the 24-105 is essentially the same fov made for a FF.

I love the 24-105 (stays on my 1D 60% of the time) but I found it to be not wide enough on my 7D. The 15-85 stayed on my 7D 90% of the time since it has such a wonderful range, plus its very sharp at both wide and zoomed. My only complaint is the slow and variable aperture otherwise great lens.

For a 7D I'd go with the 15-85mm and get a good speed light when needed.

You mean the 24mm was too long......

I had the 24-105 and although it was stellar on the 5DII, it did not shine as well on the 7D. I now have the 17-55 and like it much better on a 7D.

Did not like the 24-105 on the 7D but like it on my 5D III & II

On the 7D I liked the 17-55 and used once the 15-85 for a weekend. And really liked this combo.

Pauhana wrote in post #14964653
Looking to add a new lens to the bag. Keep looking primarily at the 24-105 along with the 15-85. Been reading the comparison's on the two lens on this site and others (Also looked at 17-55) . Most are talking about use a landscape lens. My primary use would be for people shots. Family functions, etc. In that case would the 24-105 be a better choice for use on a 7D. Or would a prime be better than any of the choices? I have no plans at this time to go FF

I think the 24-105mm would better suit what you want to do, portraits.
15-85mm would give you more flexibility in including the whole family in shots however, though it's aperture isn't as good.
A prime would be a cheaper option though, 50mm f/1.4 is great on a crop as a portrait lens and has high image quality.

the aperture on the 15-85 is not match for the other two.

if you have no plans to go full frame, the 17-55 is great for portraits. the 2.8 is nice, although the 24-105 will give you more range.