Before this lens came along, the EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 IS USM was my walk-around, with the 10-22mm on standby for wide shots. Rightly regarded by many as the "king" of the EF-S line, the 17-55mm lens is heavy and has a zoom range scarcely different from the 18-55 kit lens--but it is fast (f/2.8 throughout) and sharp and is an excellent performer in most every respect. When I got this 15-85mm, I figured the 15-85mm would, at most, share time evenly on my camera. That is not what happened. The 15-85mm quickly crowded out the 17-55mm except when low light situations or the requirement for a shallow depth of field called the 17-55 back out of the bag.
Why? While the 15-85 is significantly lighter (which is very welcome), the real reason is the compositional flexibility of the 15-85mm zoom range. The reach of the 85mm has proven indispensable to me. I find that I shoot more at 85mm now than I ever shot at 55mm with the 17-55mm. Almost as interesting, is the degree to which it displaces my wide angle 10-22mm, as well. I tend to shoot at the wide end of the range and I find over and over that the 15mm gets me where I need to go when 17mm or 18mm would have come up short.
The lens would not have gotten this much deference from me were it not a solid performer fundamentally--it is sharp, its USM focus is quick and accurate. However, there are serious penalties for its zoom range. At 85mm there is pronounced vignetting, though it is tolerable and otherwise software correctable. At 15mm there is significant chromatic aberration, though nothing remarkable for a lens of this sort.
Compared again to the 17-55mm f/2.8, the most obvious trade off is maximum aperture. The 15-85mm sports a rather typical f/3.5-5.6 aperture and that means that, particularly at 55mm, the 17-55mm has a very significant speed advantage. However both lenses benefit from Canon's image stabilization--though it is most indispensable on the the 15-85mm.
Overall, I think it is the best EF-S walk around on the market and well worth the significant price tag.
But there are always options. Some other lenses to compare:
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras
- As described above. A great lens. Expensive, but you get what you pay for. I have both and wouldn't want to choose between the two.
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras
- An option for someone who really wants more serious telephoto reach and can stand both the loss of USM and the limit of 18mm on the wide end.
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
- Cheaper. It is rather like the 18-200mm above, though you only get 50mm more in the bargain. May have optical advantages over the 18-200mm as well.
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR's
- Predecessor to this lens. Slightly cheaper. Get the 15-85mm instead.
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
- An EF L-series lens. An interesting alternative if you have/may get a full frame Canon. If you only have a crop sensor camera it is still sound choice. It is slower at the wide end and faster at telephoto end. It isn't nearly as wide as the 15-85, but it offers significantly greater reach at the tele end. It is also heavier and more expensive, though there should be significant dividends in image quality.
This product is available as Renewed.
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Renewed) $425.00 & FREE Shipping. Details
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Works and looks like new and backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee
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From the manufacturer
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Standard Zoom Lens
The new EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM sets a new standard for everyday photography on APS-C sensors. With a focal length range equivalent to 24-136mm in 35mm format, image stabilization and high-precision optics, the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM offers stellar performance from wide-angle through to telephoto.
Compare with similar items
 | Canon Cameras US 1276C002 All-Round Lens EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is USM (Black) | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (New, White Box) | Meike 85mm f1.8 Large Aperture Full Frame Auto Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS EF Mount Digital SLR Camera Compatible with APS C Bodies Such as 1D 5D3 5D4 6D 7D 70D 550D 80D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (274) | (210) | (594) | (657) |
| Price | $194.00 | $599.00 | $382.99 | $179.98 |
| Sold By | Tokyo Optic Apex | Adorama | Fast Ship Direct | Zenith digital bay |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.46 x 3.23 x 3.23 inches | 4.8 x 4.8 x 7.1 inches | 3.98 x 2.95 x 2.95 inches | — |
| Item Weight | 1.27 lbs | 1.50 lbs | 1.00 lbs | — |
| Lens Type | Standard | Wide Angle, Normal, Telephoto | Telephoto | Telephoto |
| Maximum Aperture | 3.5 | f/3.5 | f/5.6 | f/1.8 |
| Maximum Focal Length | 85 millimeters | 135 | 135 millimeters | 85.0 millimeters |
| Maximum Aperture Range | F3.5 - F5.6 | f/3.5–5.6 | F3.5 - F5.6 | f/1.8 - f/22 |
| Maximum Format Size | APS-C / DX | APS-C | APS-C / DX | Full Frame |
| Minimum Aperture | 36 | 5.6 | 38 | f/22.00 |
| Minimum Focal Length | 15 millimeters | 18 | 18 millimeters | 85.0 millimeters |
| Minimum Operating Distance | 0.35 meters | — | 0.45 meters | — |
| Photo Filter Thread Size | 72 millimeters | 67 millimeters | 67 millimeters | 67.0 millimeters |
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Jim Carten
Ferry between Lévis & Québec City, Canada
Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2014
Jim Carten
Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2014
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