EF-S Short zoom selection

[AndyMulhearn]

I'm looking for suggestions on a replacement for my 17-85 short zoom. I've been using this lens for a few years and always been happy with it but now I'm looking at images from it with a more critical eye - the 400L and Sigma have spoiled me. It's OK in the centre but horribly soft at the edges and the CA is way too bad for LR to remove it. So I'm considering a replacement once I have saved some funds.

I specifically want an EF-S lens, no EF as I'm not planning to go FF ever. So lenses that start at 24- are out. The options I see are the Canon 15-85 or the 18-135 STM. I already have a 10-24mm Tamron so the wide range is covered. Then there's the Sigma 17-70. Tamron only has the very long, e.g 16-300 which I don't want due to IQ concerns, or the short, 17-50, where I do want a little more zoom range than that.

This would be a walkabout lens so does anyone have any thoughts on these, or any other options?

[Nathaniel]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

I have owned the Canon 15-85mm lens (before I bought my 24-105), and I must say that it is a brilliant walk about lens. I covered my Canada trip in 2011 entirely with this lens and the images are stunning. It is as good IMHO as the 24-105 for crop cameras.

[jk224]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

I agree with Nat, the 15-85 is my walk about lens and I love it. I've got a Sigma 17-70 which I find ok, although my version is the mark 1 without image stabilisation, and a Canon 18-55 STM which is a nice little lens and very light, but a bit short at the top end. I have no experience of the 18-135 STM, but if it's as good as the 18-55, or better, it wouldn't be a bad choice. Personally, I would go for the 15-85.

[Wayne Els]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

I had a 15-85 pretty much permanently attached to my 500D and loved it. Not a plug but I'm about to sell it as it's just been gathering dust since I got the 6D.
The best EF-S around that range were the 15-85 and the 17-55. The 17-55 being faster and with highly rated IQ. As a walkabout for me at the time it didn't have enough range, particularly at the wide end. The difference between 15 and 17/18 is quite noticeable. The old 18-135 was reckoned to be soft and I can't comment on the newer STM but my thoughts would be 6+ x zoom range has to be a compromise on IQ, STM isn't going to be as good as USM. But obviously everything comes as a price point or compromise somewhere.
Given the same choice now I'd probably get the 15-85 again or maybe a couple of primes.

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

Thanks for the suggestions chaps. I've stopped using the 17-85 in favour of a 18-55 that came with my wife's 100D so have an interim swap that already seems better than the 17-85. Longer term I'd like the idea of the 17-55 but I think the bank balance would probably only reach to the 15-85. At least now I have some ideas and some options.

[collywobbles]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

Another vote here for the 15-85mm (on a crop sensor) The 17-55mm f/2.8 is a bit better IQ but you are losing a bit at both ends of the range.

[Nathaniel]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

Thought I'd post this pic taken in Canada in 2011 with the Canon 15-85mm lens.



Please note that there is no sharpening, or other PSE processing. Just out of the camera taken in Jpeg and posted via photobucket.

[Bill53]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

Andy, I have the 15-85 and find it to be an excellent performer.

Bill.

[DrJon]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

I sold my 17-85 for exactly those reasons. The obvious candidates are the 15-85 (with the handy 24mm equiv wide-end, though the distortion is getting quite large there) and the 17-55mm f2.8 if you like speed and low-light capabilities at the expense of reach and wide-end. I actually went for the 24-105 but neither of the two lenses I just mentioned were available then (2008). I'd probably have got the 15-85 if it had been available, but with hindsight the 24-105 and the 10-18 would have been better (I just sold my 10-22 the other week , amazing lens - might still be at LCE in London BTW - I'm suggesting the 10-18 for cost and weight reasons).

One other thing, I've noticed I can now use DXO Optics Pro to greatly improve some of my old 17-85 shots, so playing with the trial might also be an idea.

[Nathaniel]

Re: EF-S Short zoom selection

I might go in for the Canon 10-18 myself to complement my light weight kit. I already have got the 100D + 55mm-250mm lens. So this will be my travel kit and I can travel with just two lightweight lenses to cover all my bases.