Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens
Although there’s still much for me to learn and discover in photography, lately felt the default EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS kit lens that came with my Canon 450D was lacking in terms of performance.
While the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens I have achieves much sharper images, it’s difficult to use freehand and isn’t designed as an all purpose lens anyway. So started thinking about upgrading to a better general purpose or walk-around lens that could produce sharper results than the kit lens.
A good candidate was the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens which comes highly recommended, otaku comrades like Anonymous Object use it, but its price tag is also quite steep. The older Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lenses looked interesting due to their much lower price but they do not reach the same level of performance.
Spotted an advert for the recent Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, which was just released in 2009 and got very positive reviews. A contender for the 17-55mm, at the reduced sales price it was available at, took the opportunity so headed to the photography store and picked it up along with hood and polarizing filter.
Will be snapping some trial shots over the weekend. Already saw the lens has a macro zoom setting, will see how it performs there compared to the 100mm macro lens.
I looked for the lens that you bought today.
I would pay around 900€. Too much for an beginner like me.
If I could just find some good lens with an nice price too. I should stop dreaming.
Anyway, hope to see some nice pictures from you!
@GREW
Yeah, 900Euro is a lot, most stores I compared with offer it around that price too, but http://www.fotokonijnenberg.be where I bought it from had it at a special sale promotion for 605Euro, a worthwhile price tag reduction!
If you’re starting out the 18-55mm kit lens will last you a while, you can save up gradually to upgrade later on. ^^
Cool. I still think the 17-55 is better, but the extra focal range is useful on the 15-85. I actually don’t have the 17-55mm anymore. Sold it and replaced it with other lenses… I should really make a post about my updated equipment.
Congrats on the new equipment! I look forward to seeing your trial shots.
I’m looking to get my own SLR, instead on relying on the family’s 350D.
I was looking into the Canon 7D, because I also would like the HD movie capability. I already have a Canon HFS-10 HD Camcorder with great colour, picture quality – but it’s consumer.
So as soon as you try and do anything like proper DOF, low light levels, anything like that – it buckles. Plus it’s AVCHD compression is ok, but you (or at least I) can see compression artefacts.
The 7D captures into a H.264 .mov mode at a specified FPS, and of course allows me to use a wide range of proper lenses etc.
If I were to get the 7D body (I think you can buy just the body..?) and get this lens you mentioned, it should be a great all-rounder?
Congratulations on getting new upgrades on your camera. I can’t wait to see your photographs!
@anonymous_object
You sold your 17-55mm? Did you upgrade to L lenses or superzoom?
@Wolfheinrich
Thanks, will post some first trials and photo fun later on. ^^
@GabrielIVH
The 7D looks terrific, actually a colleague of mine just switched from the 450D to the 7D largely for the included movie function. It’s a bit pricey for me though… and it uses CompactFlash cards. (The new 550D also has HD movie capabilities and looks excellent, of course the 7D is a model range higher.)
The 7D is actually offered in a kit with the 15-85mm lens here, so yes it will be a good all-rounder. If you get a 7D and have the budget, I’d definitely go for the either 15-85mm or the 17-55mm.
@Yi
Thanks. ^^
Un excellent zoom trans-standard que je vais très certainement acheter dès que je peux me le permettre, parce que que le 50mm et 100mm ne me permettent pas toujours de faire ce que je souhaite, notamment en ville…
J’ai hâte de voire de tes photos.
PS: Si ce n’est pas trop indiscret, tu l’as acheter ou et combien ?
@Ludovic
La 100mm macro est un excellent objectif, mais mains libre en ville, c’est en effet pas son truc.
Oui, je l’ai acheté chez http://www.fotokonijnenberg.be (ils ont un shop physique en Belgique aussi) ou elle est en promo pour 605 Euro (au lieu de 850-900 chez les autres shops). A ce prix la, ça vaut la peine je pense.
It would certainly be an investment for me – but I’ve been thinking about travelling to Japan, and taking a lot more photos / videos in general, so I thought I’d up my equipment.
CompactFlash isn’t an issue, the 350D uses it, and I just use USB to the camera anyway.
The 7D having LiveView is also something I’m interested in.
Are you saying the 7D comes with the 15-85mm lens by default, or something you have to select yourself?
@GabrielVH
Well, over here most shops offer both options, the 7D body alone by itself or the 7D bundled in a kit with the 15-85mm lens (or another lens).