Canon EF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or EF17-40mm f/4L USM?

[tuwinkk]

both lens are different purpose

17 40 is designed for FF, work as UWA lens for FF, internal focus. I like the color from this lens but FL is narrow for APS-C unless you use FF.
15 85 is a new lens designed for APS-C camera. It has 4 stops IS and the size is just nice. Not as big as 17 55.

For me, 15 85 is a bit over priced but i saw in BS is selling less than 800. It's quite reasonable for me but not for the new lens.(pricey for the new one)
I prefer sigma 17 70 OS instead of canon 15 85.

do u need the extra FL or do u need the L lens?
for me, i prefer 15 85.....

it's only my opinion

 

[Yanz73]

Juz discovered my 15-85 lens creeps...Anyone has the same experience?

 

[rhema83]

Juz discovered my 15-85 lens creeps...Anyone has the same experience?

Yes. It creeps in the middle of the zoom range. But since the lens elements are not heavy, I manage to keep it in place but holding the zoom ring lightly.

 

[brenden]

am a owner of 15-85mm got it with its lens hood,cool hood, nice shape, awesome lens...sharp wide-open and at 85mm as well. Good contrast.

yeah mine creeps too, bout after ~5k shutter count. doesnt really bother me though...

I suppose most pple who bought this lens prob considered the f2.8 17-55. For me the 15-85 2mm of wide angle, extra reach, better built and cheaper price suits me. Though I do miss the subject isolation of a bigger aperture lens.

The only issue i found with the 15-85 is the resale value. Resale price is not as well-valued as the 17-55 which tends to hold its value better.

Another consideration is that if u plan to move to FF, think a 15-85 can serve its purpose for now...

 

[jiawei0727]

15-85mm its a great lens !! it has a fantastic build quality and its pretty sharper at all times. As compared to the 17-55mm f2.8 i believe you can get low light shots with a speedlite always.

 

[brenden]

15-85mm its a great lens !! it has a fantastic build quality and its pretty sharper at all times. As compared to the 17-55mm f2.8 i believe you can get low light shots with a speedlite always.

Though am a supporter of the 15-85mm, i must say your statement is pretty misleading, there are many situations that a Speedlite cant rectified as compared to a wider aperture lens...namely range, plus the effect might not be desirable at all, also there are places or events where flash photography is prohibited or frown upon.

My view is that, there is no one perfect lens for everyone. You got to look at your own needs and decide on that. Things like cost, range (wideangle/telephoto), how often you use the f2.8, resale value etc...

Well if u r not sure, rent each of the lens for a day, i guarantee the choice will be clearer then

 

[rhema83]

Though am a supporter of the 15-85mm, i must say your statement is pretty misleading, there are many situations that a Speedlite cant rectified as compared to a wider aperture lens...namely range, plus the effect might not be desirable at all, also there are places or events where flash photography is prohibited or frown upon.

My view is that, there is no one perfect lens for everyone. You got to look at your own needs and decide on that. Things like cost, range (wideangle/telephoto), how often you use the f2.8, resale value etc...

Well if u r not sure, rent each of the lens for a day, i guarantee the choice will be clearer then

Agreed. Also, be creative and use improvised support if flash and/or tripod are not allowed. I used my 15-85 exclusively during my trip to Italy (lots of dimly lit cathedrals where flash is prohibited) and my camera bag and my jacket became improvised support more times than I can count. Some people also bring small beanbags or even bags of uncooked rice for that purpose.

For subject isolation, there are always affordable primes to the rescue.

 

[SmOcKxY]

I have the same dilemma as TS..i'm considering getting either of the lens..i was almost going to put my money down on the 17-40L until someone ask me to check out the 15-85mm..up to 40mm the difference in aperture is only f0.5..however with longer reach and IS..the 15-85mm would be of more value given that their price is very similar..

Here's my scenerio..I'm using a 50D which is about 2yrs old..in a couple of years i wanna change body and i'll prolly be going FF then..yes 2yrs from now is a long time..but that's my plan..i'm more into travel photgraphy(street and scenery) and sometimes casual events/gatherings where flash is allowed and mostly group shots with 3 or more persons..my own reasoning for wanting the 17-40L is i already have the 50mm f1.8..that said i have 2 good friend's wedding coming up and i'll be a spare shooter on wedding day..in that case i was thinking i'll rent/buy a 85mm f1.8 and put it on my sister's 550D and carry both bodies around..so i'm not fully convinced i need the extra 45mm reach..i once carried a 18-200mm on a trip to Italy thinking it covers a big range..i realised i never go longer than 60mm(yes it's still 20mm more than the L lens)..

So should i stick to my original decision or entertain the idea of getting the 15-85mm instead?

 

[SmOcKxY]

On another note..if you were to throw the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 OS HSM into the mix..will it be competent enough? Pricing is the same as the 2 mention here.

 

[shawn207]

I have the same dilemma as TS..i'm considering getting either of the lens..i was almost going to put my money down on the 17-40L until someone ask me to check out the 15-85mm..up to 40mm the difference in aperture is only f0.5..however with longer reach and IS..the 15-85mm would be of more value given that their price is very similar..

Here's my scenerio..I'm using a 50D which is about 2yrs old..in a couple of years i wanna change body and i'll prolly be going FF then..yes 2yrs from now is a long time..but that's my plan..i'm more into travel photgraphy(street and scenery) and sometimes casual events/gatherings where flash is allowed and mostly group shots with 3 or more persons..my own reasoning for wanting the 17-40L is i already have the 50mm f1.8..that said i have 2 good friend's wedding coming up and i'll be a spare shooter on wedding day..in that case i was thinking i'll rent/buy a 85mm f1.8 and put it on my sister's 550D and carry both bodies around..so i'm not fully convinced i need the extra 45mm reach..i once carried a 18-200mm on a trip to Italy thinking it covers a big range..i realised i never go longer than 60mm(yes it's still 20mm more than the L lens)..

So should i stick to my original decision or entertain the idea of getting the 15-85mm instead?

hi, i was in the same dilemma as you. when i bought my 60d was considering the 17-40L and 15-85. however, upon reading up, i found that the 17-40's reviews were rather mixed, and for an L lens the quality isnt that sharp. coupled with the fact that the focal length offers less versatility, i decided to go for the 15-85, which was quite highly rated also.

but since u might be going full frame then the 17-40L might be a good wide angle lens. but for crop bodies might not be such a good choice.

just my thoughts on it, hope it helps

 

[Ouverture]

I would say go with whatever you need now and be happy with it.

Thinking too much in the future just makes you indecisive and lose all the fun and opportunity to take photos.

What happens if canon decide to come out with a mk2 of 17-40L or they come out with the rumored 15-60f2.8?

Whether going FF or not, there is too much uncertainty in whats to expect.

Just get what you need and afford and be happy shooting.

 

[SmOcKxY]

My decision would not be based on what I'm gonna get 2 years down the road..truth be told for either lens i'll still need fast primes for shooting the weddings and low light events..my struggle now is to determine if i should be suckered into the L part or the "value" of the 15-85mm with the extra reach and IS..sometimes u want it all! haha!

 

[dlhero]

My decision would not be based on what I'm gonna get 2 years down the road..truth be told for either lens i'll still need fast primes for shooting the weddings and low light events..my struggle now is to determine if i should be suckered into the L part or the "value" of the 15-85mm with the extra reach and IS..sometimes u want it all! haha!

Why can't they make a 15-85mm L? 

 

[esmondwd]

Can rent lens meh? can tell me where? Thanks Text me faster 96968600

Though am a supporter of the 15-85mm, i must say your statement is pretty misleading, there are many situations that a Speedlite cant rectified as compared to a wider aperture lens...namely range, plus the effect might not be desirable at all, also there are places or events where flash photography is prohibited or frown upon.

My view is that, there is no one perfect lens for everyone. You got to look at your own needs and decide on that. Things like cost, range (wideangle/telephoto), how often you use the f2.8, resale value etc...

Well if u r not sure, rent each of the lens for a day, i guarantee the choice will be clearer then

 

[SmOcKxY]

Hmm..I stick I'm going to go rent the 15-85mm for my next family outing and see how..