EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

[J H Foto]

Anyone know how this lens performs...??

[MX5]

Re: EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

These are trusted http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/465-canon_1585_3556is as are these http://the-digital-picture.com/Revie...ns-Review.aspx. If you want a more technical view then check http://www.dxomark.com/.

[S_J_P]

EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

It's a good lens, often considered to be a crop-sensor "L" equivalent. MTF charts show it to be very good to excellent, it's fast to focus (ring-type USM I think), the only downside is that it's a little slow at f/3.5-5.6.

[Nathaniel]

Re: EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

I know this lens very well, as I had one and after much thought sold it when I bought my 24-105mm. I'd have like to have kept it but for cash flow problems. It is a brilliant lens and IMHO a better lens than the 17-85mm. It is the next best thing to the 24-105mm

[S_J_P]

EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

It is the next best thing to the 24-105mm

And gives almost exactly that equivalent range on a crop-sensor camera like the 7D.

[jonesgj]

Re: EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

I have the 15-85 And i am always pleased with the results. I usually use it when I can't take my camera bag with 24-105 and 10-22. Though a little slow, it has turned out very usable images when I have used it in low light situations too.

I don't think you will be disappointed but that's my opinion.

Graydon

[mikep]

Re: EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

I have the 15-85 on my 550D and that's where it remains most of the time. Excellent quality, and I've not really noticed it being slow at the lower f-numbers.

The only issue I've found, is that at the 15mm end, you may find your verticals are a little out, but that can easily be fixed PP.

Excellent walkabout on a crop, and I've spent days out with only this lens. Check some shots from my Flickr site, most of which recently have been on this lens.

Good luck with the decision making and the purchase. If you decide to go for this lens, you will not be disappointed.

All the best, Mike.

[baillieswells]

Re: EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

Have just bought a 15mm-85mm lens. A simple rough and ready report, not as as comprehensive as the ones listed above. I compared it with the 18 -85, 18 - 55 and an original (not mark II), 50mm 1.8mm prime lens, which I have had since 1990.

I chose just f5.6 and set the zoom lenses at 50mm. Canon 40D at 100 ISO on a tripod. The 15 - 85 out performed the 18 -85, particularly in the corners, marginally better than the 17 - 85, which is also better than the 17 - 85. However it was outperformed in all aspects by the ancient prime 50mm lens.

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

The EF-S 15-85mm IS lens is a very good lens but not that much better than the 17-85mm IS lens that you already own.
At the widest end (15mm) the distortion is terrible but that applies to all wide-angle zoom lenses of this focal range.

However it was outperformed in all aspects by the ancient prime 50mm lens.

Primes will always out perform zooms although the gap is getting smaller.

[Wayne Els]

Re: EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

Almost all of my pics on flickr were taken with it but don't let that put you off!

[Trevoreast]

Re: EFS 15-85 IS USM ??

Excellent quality, and I've not really noticed it being slow at the lower f-numbers.
The only issue I've found, is that at the 15mm end, you may find your verticals are a little out, but that can easily be fixed PP.

Mike I find whether you notice it or not depends on the conditions you are shooting in, and what you are shooting.

In cases were the difference is between shooting at 1/2000 & 1/500 in plenty of light you might not notice, (subject to the sentence above).

In low light situation were the difference could be between shooting at 1/30 & 1/8 hand held then you will notice, that’s if you can get the thing to focus.

EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM definitely a useful focal range on a crop sensor.
- minus the correction for distortion at the wide end, this lens is over priced imho.

I personally wouldn’t buy any of these slow variable aperture lens - that includes the ones in the L range.

I would go for a efs 17-55 2.8 IS or if budget is your main driver - a 3rd party 2.8 fixed aperture lens in this range, they can be bought for £300-350 new from a reputable supplier.

Hope this helps.

Trev