Which option? 17-55 2.8 vs 15-85 + 85 1.8

Planning on getting a replacement lens for my 18-55IS kit lens as I'd like something with either more range or speed (can't make up my mind on which I want more! ) and better build quality/faster focusing (USM). I am potentially considering either of these two options. Both are roughly the same cost, so the decision is even more difficult.

17-55 2.8
Pros:
- fast, constant aperture
- almost "L" quality images
Cons:
- not as wide or long as the 15-85

15-85
Pros:
- excellent range/image quality for a standard zoom lens
Cons:
- variable aperture & on the "slow" side on the longer end

+

85 1.8
Pros:
- f1.8
- excellent image quality for the price
Cons:
- no IS
- most likely too long on a crop for any indoor shooting

I have a 430EX II, and I use it for most indoor shooting, so I don't necessarily need the speed of the 17-55 inside, but it would be nice for shallower DOF and for instances where a flash isn't allowed.

I have also considered the Tamron 17-50 2.8 (VC or non) + 85 1.8. It would be give me speed on both lenses, but without the Canon build quality or USM focusing on the zoom. And not sure I'm 100% on taking the risk of Tamron's potential QC issues.

Decisions, decisions.

Any suggestions or thoughts on which route to take?

ggweci wrote in post #9460777
Planning on getting a replacement lens for my 18-55IS kit lens as I'd like something with either more range or speed (can't make up my mind on which I want more! )
I have also considered the Tamron 17-50 2.8 (VC or non) + 85 1.8. It would be give me speed on both lenses, but without the Canon build quality or USM focusing on the zoom. And not sure I'm 100% on taking the risk of Tamron's potential QC issues.
Decisions, decisions.
Any suggestions or thoughts on which route to take?

I took the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non-vc and Canon 55-250IS route
- excellent speed and range !

ggweci wrote in post #9460777
Planning on getting a replacement lens for my 18-55IS kit lens as I'd like something with either more range or speed (can't make up my mind on which I want more! ) and better build quality/faster focusing (USM). I am potentially considering either of these two options. Both are roughly the same cost, so the decision is even more difficult.

17-55 2.8
Pros:
- fast, constant aperture
- almost "L" quality images
Cons:
- not as wide or long as the 15-85

15-85
Pros:
- excellent range/image quality for a standard zoom lens
Cons:
- variable aperture & on the "slow" side on the longer end

+

85 1.8
Pros:
- f1.8
- excellent image quality for the price
Cons:
- no IS
- most likely too long on a crop for any indoor shooting

I have a 430EX II, and I use it for most indoor shooting, so I don't necessarily need the speed of the 17-55 inside, but it would be nice for shallower DOF and for instances where a flash isn't allowed.

I have also considered the Tamron 17-50 2.8 (VC or non) + 85 1.8. It would be give me speed on both lenses, but without the Canon build quality or USM focusing on the zoom. And not sure I'm 100% on taking the risk of Tamron's potential QC issues.

Decisions, decisions.

Any suggestions or thoughts on which route to take?

i'd take the 17-55 IS because i would also own an UWA and a longer zoom.

ed rader

you have a 50 walk a few steps closer and its an 85!

seriously though i rented a 17-55mm and loved it....can't go wrong there

Since you're OK with a two lens solution, then another possibility is to pick up used copies of the 17-55mm and 85mm rather than a new 15-85mm. That is still a bit more expensive than a new 15-85mm, but it addresses both of your goals.

i've tried a 17-85 a couple of times and I love the range it has, its just too bad it is so slow.. if it was constant f2.8 it would have been my dream lens, but since such a thing doesnt exist, 17-55+85 f1.8 is the best option for me and i'm very satisfied with it.. i do miss an UWA form time to time though, but 15mm is not enough for me personally, I need 10mm

First let me say that the 85mm 1.8 s not a good lens for the price. It is an amazing lens, period.

If you shoot in low light I would not recommend the 15-85mm. Although it is a great lens from what I have heard, It is slow and slow lenses tend to be very slow to focus in low light. The 17-55mm is a great lens and so are the tamron 17-50mm lenses. Although I do not like how loud the Tamron AF is.

If I were you I would get the 17-55mm IS.

midnight_rider wrote in post #9468876
If you shoot in low light I would not recommend the 15-85mm. Although it is a great lens from what I have heard, It is slow and slow lenses tend to be very slow to focus in low light. The 17-55mm is a great lens and so are the tamron 17-50mm lenses. Although I do not like how loud the Tamron AF is.

I'll say my 28-75 Tamron was far worse in accuracy and speed on my 30D than the 15-85 was..as in the 15-85 pretty much worked down till i couldnt even manually focus something, whereas the 28-75 worked only in VERY bright light reliably and the minute the light was even slightly dim [Say a little shade] it went to hell..So thats a pretty bad generalization..the 15-85 accuracy wise was about as quick and accurate as my 17-55 was on the 30D

On the 7D the 15-85 has so far been VERY accurate, quick and snappy when i've used it

As for poor in low light, Depends on what you are doing..Keep in mind with a pure f/2.8 lens you're purely limited to f/2.8 when the light gets low and sometimes thats not what you need, What if you want depth of field? Then f/2.8 might NOT be your wanted aperture and you're stuck without IS/VC to help you

First 2 are 7D, rest are my 30D

ISO3200, f/8, 1/16, 78mm

The 2 tamrons that I had were both mounted on a D700 and I think they were both screw drive. They focused very fast and accurate, On a nikon, I have never used the 28-75mm on a canon
I have used the 17-50mm on a Canon and I had no issues with it other than the weird zipping sound that it made. Honestly I do not know if the new rebels have cross type sensors with 2.8 and faster glass or not. If so there may be an advantage.

midnight_rider wrote in post #9469142
The 2 tamrons that I had were both mounted on a D700 and I think they were both screw drive. They focused very fast and accurate, On a nikon, I have never used the 28-75mm on a canon
I have used the 17-50mm on a Canon and I had no issues with it other than the weird zipping sound that it made. Honestly I do not know if the new rebels have cross type sensors with 2.8 and faster glass or not. If so there may be an advantage.

Center point is cross type on the T1i/500D, it has the same focus system as the 30D, I'm pretty sure the XSi/450D is the same

Thanks for the suggestions guys. So many different viewpoints, all very valid. I did test them both out at the store the other day (on one of their T1i's) and liked both. The 15-85 seemed a little more solidly built, but the 17-55 had really nice bokeh. Maybe I should see if I can rent both to see which I prefer.

For a point of reference, what I mainly shoot is my 1 year daughter and her daily activities, as well as family functions and such. Most of these shots have been indoors due to winter, so the kit lens has worked perfectly fine with my flash. I find that the 50 is a little too long indoors sometimes and obviously less versatile in tighter spots, so I don't always use it even if I'd like a shallower DOF in certain instances. This is why I am considering one of the 2.8 zooms (Canon preferred) to most likely replace both.

But, with the warmer weather around the corner, I think I'd really enjoy the range of the 15-85 when outside doing activities with my daughter & wife (parks, zoo, etc). I would lose the "speed", but gain range. That's why I think the 85 1.8 would be a nice complement. It would give me a faster lens on the long end for nice isolation.

But, then again, I could always crop the 17-55 to gain FL and still have decent "speed". Oh boy, this is a vicious circle!

hardserve wrote in post #9468490
Since you're OK with a two lens solution, then another possibility is to pick up used copies of the 17-55mm and 85mm rather than a new 15-85mm. That is still a bit more expensive than a new 15-85mm, but it addresses both of your goals.

That would be great... the trouble is find a good deal here in Canada. I see you're close to me, do you want to sell me yours two lenses for a great price?

There have been many times I've wanted a faster lens, but I can't recall ever wanting a slower lens.
I would get the Canon 17-55mm 2.8 or the the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and save for the 85mm 1.8.

ggweci wrote in post #9460777
Planning on getting a replacement lens for my 18-55IS kit lens as I'd like something with either more range or speed (can't make up my mind on which I want more! ) and better build quality/faster focusing (USM). I am potentially considering either of these two options. Both are roughly the same cost, so the decision is even more difficult.

17-55 2.8
Pros:
- fast, constant aperture
- almost "L" quality images
Cons:
- not as wide or long as the 15-85

15-85
Pros:
- excellent range/image quality for a standard zoom lens
Cons:
- variable aperture & on the "slow" side on the longer end

+

85 1.8
Pros:
- f1.8
- excellent image quality for the price
Cons:
- no IS
- most likely too long on a crop for any indoor shooting

I have a 430EX II, and I use it for most indoor shooting, so I don't necessarily need the speed of the 17-55 inside, but it would be nice for shallower DOF and for instances where a flash isn't allowed.

I have also considered the Tamron 17-50 2.8 (VC or non) + 85 1.8. It would be give me speed on both lenses, but without the Canon build quality or USM focusing on the zoom. And not sure I'm 100% on taking the risk of Tamron's potential QC issues.

Decisions, decisions.

Any suggestions or thoughts on which route to take?

Almost "L" quality image???? You didn't give enough credit for it. I would say better than "L" quality image, at least when compare to similar range L zoom.

I will pick Canon 17-55IS as my first choice, than Tamron 17-50. Variable aperture with wider range zoon isn't my cup of tea. But in either case, get that 85f1.8. This is the lens change the way I shoot, so I highly recommand it.

KenjiS wrote in post #9469062
As for poor in low light, Depends on what you are doing..Keep in mind with a pure f/2.8 lens you're purely limited to f/2.8 when the light gets low and sometimes thats not what you need, What if you want depth of field? Then f/2.8 might NOT be your wanted aperture and you're stuck without IS/VC to help you

The 17-55 IS solves this with f/2.8 and IS! Also keep in mind that IS wont really help with action shots while the 2.8 will.

KenjiS wrote in post #9469062
Keep in mind also because the 15-85 is longer, that at 85mm you can achieve some very good isolation because the focal length is longer and thus compressing the background more than a lens with a focal length of 55...

The 15-85 can achieve good isolation but only when the subject is close and background is near infinity. Under most circumstances the 55 @ 2.8 will provide more isolation than 85 @ 5.6. Also, you won't always have enough room to work @ 85mm, especially indoors.

As for the op, I'd get the 17-55 and add 85 1.8 down the road.

if low light is the problem i'd stick to the 85/1.8 and a wider prime (30/1.4?). f/2.8 is not fast enough for low light handheld especially if your subjects are moving!