Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

I'm looking for a bit of advice really, does anybody have the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, I'm looking for a new walk about / holiday lens to go on my 7D.

I currently have the Canon 17-40 F/4.0L and I am just not happy with the photo's it takes, I had the 17-55 F/2.8 IS previously and I liked the pictures that took.

I think with the range it will partner nicely with my 70-200 F/4.0L IS and I already have the 50mm F/1.8 II and may get an 85mm F/1.8 and a 35mm prime in the future for lower light.

All advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'd rather have constant 2.8 and better quality lens over 15-17 & 55-70 focal lengths. Get yourself the 17-55 again and be happy.

What's wrong with the images from the 17-40? That's a very good lens, so maybe there's a problem somewhere...

Having said that, the 15-85mm is a superb lens if you can live with the slow speed.

if you arn't happy with the L the 15-85 has GREAT image quality and an amazing focal range. great USM, great IS, only draw back is its not an L and it isn't constant aperture. Sharpest lens i have

wcgryphon wrote in post #11578308
I'd rather have constant 2.8 and better quality lens over 15-17 & 55-70 focal lengths. Get yourself the 17-55 again and be happy.

....Now you have the 2.8 part right....everything else is wrong. Pretty big fail there. Have you ever even used the 15-85?!?!

The 15-85 is just as sharp as the 17-55(at the same apertures, My 17-55 i has to stop down to 3.2 to get actual sharp shots(side note, yes it was sent to canon and it was within spec)). I have used both and both are pretty much the same sharpness. The 15-85 is sharp wide open and doesnt really sharpen up stoping down. Only a DOF gain. Its plenty sharp.
Its also has a better IS vs the 17-55. 4 stop vs 3 stop.

I also preferred the build of the 15-85 over the 17-55.

Both lenses were a pleasure to use. It all depends on your needs.

Personally I perferred the 15-85 and a sigma 30mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8 as a kit(with my 70-200 F4 IS) vs the 17-55(with 70-200 F4 IS L). 2.8 isnt really fast enough for much....2.8 will take you into the ISO6400 territory way to fast.

The 17-40L looses all of its magic on crop. I hated it! I hate when people recommend it for crop!!!! The 17-55 and 15-85 are better vs the 17-40 on crop. Both have better range and IS!!!!

Combatmedic870 wrote in post #11578965
....Now you have the 2.8 part right....everything else is wrong. Pretty big fail there. Have you ever even used the 15-85?!?!

The 15-85 is just as sharp as the 17-55(at the same apertures, My 17-55 i has to stop down to 3.2 to get actual sharp shots(side note, yes it was sent to canon and it was within spec)). I have used both and both are pretty much the same sharpness. The 15-85 is sharp wide open and doesnt really sharpen up stoping down. Only a DOF gain. Its plenty sharp.
Its also has a better IS vs the 17-55. 4 stop vs 3 stop.

I also preferred the build of the 15-85 over the 17-55.

Both lenses were a pleasure to use. It all depends on your needs.

So it's only "as" sharp, not better, 1-stop IS difference, and you like the build better when both are not resistant to anything in the first place. Your 17-55 was bad enough you felt you had to send it in. So you like your 15-85....good for you. Pretty big fail? Hardly. Settle down, cupcake.

I have the 15-85 now for my 7D and I love it. Outstanding image quality, good build quality, and a very good IS. The range is very useful, 15mm is definitely noticeable compared to 17 or 18. The slow speed has never bothered me, but your mileage may vary. I wish it was a constant f/4. If the 17-40 is fast enough for you now then the 15-85 will be fine, especially since it has IS.

I've got the 15-85 for my 7D, it's my walk-around lens on that camera. Great detail from this lens, its a quality piece of glass.

wcgryphon wrote in post #11579258
So it's only "as" sharp, not better, 1-stop IS difference, and you like the build better when both are not resistant to anything in the first place. Your 17-55 was bad enough you felt you had to send it in. So you like your 15-85....good for you. Pretty big fail? Hardly. Settle down, cupcake.

How about a "Little" fail.

The 15-85 is one of the sharpest zoom lenses that Canon has ever made. I have tried out the 17-55 and the 15-85 side by side and can also confirm that it is very similar to the 17-55 in sharpness. Also, since the 15-85 is already super sharp wide open, any perceived f/2.8 advantage of the 17-55 is lost if you feel the need to stop down a bit to maximize the sharpness.

In addition to that, the 15-85 DEFINITELY has a better build quality than the 17-55. It is not just somebody's opinion as you imply. It is a fact.

When you add in the SUPERIOR 4 stop Image Stabilization, you get one hell of a very good lens.

If you absolutely need f/2.8 you should get the 17-55, but for many of us the 15-85 is a much better all around lens. Even more so because of the fact you can add a flash or fast prime for the difference in price.

wcgryphon wrote in post #11579258
So it's only "as" sharp, not better, 1-stop IS difference, and you like the build better when both are not resistant to anything in the first place. Your 17-55 was bad enough you felt you had to send it in. So you like your 15-85....good for you. Pretty big fail? Hardly. Settle down, cupcake.

Hey now....You said better quality lens! Its not...

Im plenty calm, I just hate when people down the 15-85(especially if they have never tried it.). I dont know if you have tried it....But im here to defend its good name!

I think they are both good lenses...they both have there uses.

The 15-85 is a superb lens.

The 15-85 is a seriously nice lens, very sharp and nice build. The one I tried would give my 17-55IS a run for the money on sharpness and that's really saying something. If it were a constant f/4 I'd buy it in a heartbeat. As it is, I have the focal length range covered and like my f/2.8 on a walkaround lens.

Would the 15-85 be a good upgrade from the 18-55mm is and 55-250mm is? ?

Beni N. wrote in post #11580955
Would the 15-85 be a good upgrade from the 18-55mm is and 55-250mm is? ?

Never shot the 55-250 but the 15-85 would be a nice step up in all around performance.

msowsun wrote in post #11579418
How about a "Little" fail.

The 15-85 is one of the sharpest zoom lenses that Canon has ever made. I have tried out the 17-55 and the 15-85 side by side and can also confirm that it is very similar to the 17-55 in sharpness. Also, since the 15-85 is already super sharp wide open, any perceived f/2.8 advantage of the 17-55 is lost if you feel the need to stop down a bit to maximize the sharpness.

In addition to that, the 15-85 DEFINITELY has a better build quality than the 17-55. It is not just somebody's opinion as you imply. It is a fact.

When you add in the SUPERIOR 4 stop Image Stabilization, you get one hell of a very good lens.

If you absolutely need f/2.8 you should get the 17-55, but for many of us the 15-85 is a much better all around lens. Even more so because of the fact you can add a flash or fast prime for the difference in price.

So is it wise to complement my 15-85 with a 17-55?? I'm also seriously considering in getting 24-105. I only want gen. purpose / walkaround lenses for now as I have no time to practice specific photography styles having 2 kids on my tail always...