EF-S 15-85mm vs other similar lenses

[heshanj]

oh no, wat i mean is.. the reviews seem to compare the L lens with the consumer lens...well, not a direct comparison all the time, but they keep saying how its not as good as the L (which, like u say, is obvious) - but sometimes they dont mention how the lens performs in its own right, and how it compares to other lenses in the same price range i.e. is the quality of the 28mm f1.8 around the same as the 50mm f1.8? better?

Cool. Actually you mentioned a lot on your lens requirements but we are not sure what kind of photos you like to shoot, but never mind. You can check out the recently released Canon 24mm f2.8. Not a cheap lens though . The closest to your 50mm on full frame is probably the 28mm or the Sigma 30mm.

[video=youtube;3RVh2HC0KSw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RVh2HC0KSw&feature=player_embedded[/video]

thanks well if it really matters, i shoot a lot of street stuff, where i like a prime lens that performs like my film SLR's 50mm lens. i also would like to use it for indoor shots where light is lower and my slower zoom might not cope. so basically any of these fast 24/28/35mm primes should do, regardless of exactly wat i wanna shoot.. just looking to find opinions on which might be the best bang for the buck the 24mm one seems interesting, i'll read up more about it, thanks. its actually cheaper than the 28mm f1.8 on BHphoto

 

[Tucksoon]

thanks well if it really matters, i shoot a lot of street stuff, where i like a prime lens that performs like my film SLR's 50mm lens. i also would like to use it for indoor shots where light is lower and my slower zoom might not cope. so basically any of these fast 24/28/35mm primes should do, regardless of exactly wat i wanna shoot.. just looking to find opinions on which might be the best bang for the buck the 24mm one seems interesting, i'll read up more about it, thanks. its actually cheaper than the 28mm f1.8 on BHphoto

Nice. Maybe you can consider renting the 15-85. 17-55 and any of the primes and have a mini shootout yourself

 

[heshanj]

im currently working in vietnam, and renting isnt as easy as it is in singapore.. but that would be the best way, definitely! thanks for all the help...ive narrowed it down to 2 zooms and 3 primes...i think self-research and decision will help me choose now! lol

 

[thoongeng]

Well, you are comparing a L lens ($1700) against a "consumer" lens (~$300). If the cheaper lens seem mediocre, are you prepared to top up the ~$1400 more for the image quality?

btw, regarding 28 f1.8, I've read more positive feedbacks for the 35 f2..

OTOH, If you are willing to get 3rd party lens, Sigma 30 f1.4 is a good lens. But it don't fit on a FF.

I agree with skystrike. In my own research 35f2 is cheaper and seems to perform a bit better than 28f1.8. May be a good option when you're on budget, and also can be used on FF, but a little tighter compared to 28mm

If you still wanna consider 28f1.8, then maybe Sigma 30f1.4 may be better. Cost wise similar, sigma has the 2/3 stop advantage, but you have to check before getting it to make sure focusing is accurate. However if you're using 7D can do AF microadjustment if focusing is just off slightly

Haven't read much reviews about the new stabilised Canon primes, but I agree that IS is useful. However the max aperture is smaller so may still need to push up ISO to freeze action in low light

Have fun doing your research and have a good shopping spree
End of the day ALL the lenses have their pros and cons

 

[heshanj]

thanks ^^ actually, although i kept mentioning that a prime of 24/28/35mm will do, come to think of it, the 35mm might be a bit too tight, as u already mentioned above. that's why i was strongly considering the 28mm f1.8, even more than the 24mm - coz the focal length seems perfect, very close to a 50mm on full frame, which is my goal. a bit wider, perfect. the sigma sounds great, but someone already commented on that saying the AF is a bit iffy, and u mention it also. for me, shooting street stuff, often dont have time to adjust AF manually, so that would be a big problem. ah, wish there was something in between the 28mm f1.8 and the L haha
as for the shopping spree, i doubt i can afford all this in one spree, it'll be spread over about 6 months lol thanks again!

 

[thoongeng]

maybe I should clarify that the sigma AF is ok unless the light is quite low, otherwise it is fast and accurate. Daytime streets shouldn't be a problem, unless dark alleys at night then maybe got problem

my comment on 'make sure focusing is accurate' is that it is common for copies of this lens to have front or back focusing. If small amount maybe can still do AF microadjustment in your 7D (though I don't have 7D, not sure if this is supported for 3rd party lens), if not bring to Sigma service centre for them to adjust.

You seem to know what you want, so go ahead whichever you think suits you best =)

 

[blazin]

I started photography with a 7D and 15-85mm Kit lens.

Believe it or not~ but 15-85mm IQ is comparable to 24-105L only that the build maybe a bit lousier and the fixed f4 aperture.

I tested it myself~ i was once tempted to get L lens 24-105L cause i heard the contrast IQ is better all that, but after testing my friend's 24-105L, i changed my mind, cause i cant tell much difference in IQ and Contrast.

So now i changed my mind, aiming for 70-200L to cover my range instead~

 

[heshanj]

sorry for not replying to the last two posts here. thanks guys.

for the zoom, i have actually decided to just push my budget up and get that lens that i really want, the 17-55mm. that fixed aperture would really be wonderful, i think

but im still not sure about the prime. i wish there was a wider lens (24 or 28mm) thats similar in price and quality to the 50mm f1.4! the 50mm f1.4 is perfect but on a crop sensor, its too tight

im thinking of going for the 28mm f1.8 (i really cant afford the L series primes) and i wonder how it would compare to the 50mm f1.4 in terms of quality

 

[raydio]

sorry for not replying to the last two posts here. thanks guys.

for the zoom, i have actually decided to just push my budget up and get that lens that i really want, the 17-55mm. that fixed aperture would really be wonderful, i think

but im still not sure about the prime. i wish there was a wider lens (24 or 28mm) thats similar in price and quality to the 50mm f1.4! the 50mm f1.4 is perfect but on a crop sensor, its too tight

im thinking of going for the 28mm f1.8 (i really cant afford the L series primes) and i wonder how it would compare to the 50mm f1.4 in terms of quality

You will not be disappointed with the 17-55 f/2.8! I owned it for 3 years before selling it recently along with my crop camera. It was a stellar performer... very sharp and nice colours.

Good luck with your 'prime' decision.

 

[heshanj]

thanks. yeah, for the prime, i think im quite fixed on the 28mm f1.8 - i'd like a comparison of image quality between that and the 50mm f1.4..just to know what i'm getting! cant seem to find a comparison as these two lenses are quite different. any comparisons that i found, they talk about how the 28mm should be used in 'THIS situation' and the 50mm is best for 'THAT situation' which i already know. i just want a comparison of image sharpness, colors, etc.

 

[XavierShoot]

Hey TS, i have both the 15-85 and the 17-55 with me, i would say the image quality for both is world class, sharpness is awesome. The difference as many have suggest before,

15-85 has a wider focal range
17-55 has the fixed aperture of f2.8 (very useful in low light)

So ultimately it boils down to what you want

 

[heshanj]

thanks. i already decided on the 17-55mm guys now only trying to decide on a wide prime