Canon EF-S 17-85IS MkII

With

the recent introduction of the EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS higher end lens AND

the recent introduction of the new Kit lens EF-S 18-55IS f3.5-5.6 lower end lens,

this will most probably put more pressure on Canon to upgrade it's middle of the road EF-S 17-85 f4-5.6 IS lens. Otherwise, more and more people will choose between the better than ever new IS Kit lens or the higher end 17-55 f2.8 lens, or else choosing alternatives such as Sigma 17-70, 18-125OS or Tamron 17-50 f2.8, thus leaving the middle of the road 17-85 less and less popular.

Canon has to do something about it for sure, maybe something such as an EF-S 17-85 MkII, and increasing the quality (such as a f2.8-f4.5 IS) to really niche its lens somewhere between the new IS Kit and the 17-55 f2.8 IS, both qualitywise and pricewise.

Otherwise, given the competition from the other lenses mentioned above, Canon will probably have to cease production of its EF-S 17-85 because of lack of demand from consumers...

Anybody has thoughts about this or rumors regarding such a scenario ?

This is not a rumor, but rather a prediction of mine, based on my appreciation of the market competition...

I'm just getting into photography but I've noticed the same issue. Canon is missing a reasonably-priced, mid-range zoom.

I played with the 17-85 IS USM and it's nice, but for the price I'd expect something significantly better than the 18-55 IS and the 17-85 just isn't. The 17-85 is going to be even worse off when the new Sigma 18-125 OS HSM hits the street as even if it isn't optically better it has a longer range and will probably undercut the 17-85 by at least $100.

Your guess of 2.8-4.5 would be great but I doubt that would happen. Something like 3.5-5.6 or 3.5-4.5 would be more inline with other available offerings (and would slightly best the longer but slower Sigma 18-125 HSM OS 3.8-5.6).

I had a 17-85 and wasn't overly impressed... it has promise as a lens, it's a decent range... an update could make it into something nice

Petelebon wrote in post #5173759
With

the recent introduction of the EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS higher end lens AND

the recent introduction of the new Kit lens EF-S 18-55IS f3.5-5.6 lower end lens,

this will most probably put more pressure on Canon to upgrade it's middle of the road EF-S 17-85 f4-5.6 IS lens.

I've heard it all now --- Canon just called Canon out, and now they have to respond??

Which is better, the 17-85 IS or the 18-55 IS?

Budhaf wrote in post #5963049
Which is better, the 17-85 IS or the 18-55 IS?

See a discussion here: http://forums.dpreview​.com …29&thread=28586​377&page=1

See a small comparison in this review of the 18-55is: http://www.the-digital-picture.com …5-5.6-IS-Lens-Review.aspx

Jim G wrote in post #5201446
I had a 17-85 and wasn't overly impressed... it has promise as a lens, it's a decent range... an update could make it into something nice

Yeah, like constant f4 and the upgraded 4 stop IS, and improved CA.

They need to bust out a 16-85 2.8 IS and price it the same as the nikon version.

canon will not upgrade the 17-85... why would they? they have now three different lenses in three different market segments:

1. 18-55 IS for the starters and budget-minded.
2. 17-85 IS for those wanting an upgrade to something with better IQ/build qualit, but not being able to afford the 17-55 2.8.
3. 17-55 IS 2.8 for those wanting max IQ and low-light capability, and possessing the skrilla to buy it.

the same reason why the 17-40 will never get 2.8... canon already has a 16-35 2.8 which sells rather well.

fumanchewable wrote in post #5976942
2. 17-85 IS for those wanting an upgrade to something with better IQ

The only problem is that in terms of corner sharpness and CAs, the 17-85 is actually a downgrade compared to the cheap 18-55 IS.

The main advantage of the 17-85 is the range. It's quite good at the tele end but at wide angle, it's unacceptable for many people.

But I agree: If Canon updates this lens, it won't get f/2.8. It will most likely stay at f/4-5.6.

BEEEsH wrote in post #5976898
They need to bust out a 16-85 2.8 IS and price it the same as the nikon version.

But the nikon is a 3.5-5.6. If they did make it constant 2.8 it would be huge.

BEEEsH wrote in post #5976898
They need to bust out a 16-85 2.8 IS and price it the same as the nikon version.

If they made a upgrade to this lens then it should be:

16-85 2.8 IS
or... 17-105 2.8 IS

15-50 IS

Mike55 wrote in post #6122393
15-50 IS

oooh...i like!

why not 18-135 f/3.5-4.5 ? if it's around 450$ i'll get it ^^