Canon 15-85mm vs 17-55 2.8

[jon andrew]

Hi Bob,

Just bought the new 7D kit with the 15-85.
Just wondering in your opinion is it worth it to return the 15-85 and go with the 17-55 2.8.
What would be the advantage of this if any?
Is the 17-55 a better built lens with better optics...or is the comparison the same.
Looking for an all around lens to shoot family/kids and some outdoor stuff.

any opinion would be great

jandrew

[Bob Atkins]

I can't comment on image quality because I've not yet used a 15-85. I suspect they are not hugely different, but I can't say for sure.

The advantage of the EF-S 17-55/2.8IS is that it's faster (f2.8 ) than the 15-85/3.5-5.6. The extra stop or two means you can shoot in lower light and/or with faster shutter speeds and/or you can blur backgrounds more.

The advantage of the 15-85 is, of course, it's wider at the wide end and it's longer at the long end (and it's slightly cheaper).

So it all boils down to what matters to you more, lens speed or zoom range.

[JZaun]

HI,
I am a new member and this is my 1st post. I have been a member of other forums and have owned and used 10,20,30,50 and 7D.The 7D I returned but that is another story. I have also tried Nikon D300 and Oly 420. Canon lens I have owned and used are 18-55, 17-85, 17-40, 24-105, 70-200, 70-200IS, 70-300, 100-400, 100 f2.8 macro, 50 f1.8, 50 f1.4, 24 f2.8 and a couple I have forgotten. I narrowed them down to the 17-85, 100-400, 24 f2.8 and the 50 f1.8. I just replaced the 17-85 with the 15-85 as I found the 15-85 to be just a bit better in focus speed, distortion and build. I will miss the 17-85 but the 15-85 will take over very well. The only weak  point of the lens is wide open at the wide end and if you aren't doing straight lines you will not see the distortion. I loved my 17-85 for its versatility and the 15-85 is sure to be as good or better.

Have a good day
JerryZ

Just a note I am only making a case for the 15-85 as I never used the 17-55. I just always wanted the extra reach of the (85mm)

[Bob Atkins]

Note the original question was the 15-85 vs. the 17-55, not the 17-85.

In the case of the EF-S 15-85/3.5-5.6is vs. EF-S 17-85/3.5-5.6is, as far as I can gather for reports so far, the only reason not to go for the new 15-85 would be cost! The new 15-85 is currently selling for around $300 more than the 17-85.

I suspect that the dilema of choosing between the 17-85 and 15-85 may be resolved by Canon, since I don't expect they will be marketing both lenses for very long and the 17-85 will likely be dropped at some point.

[jon andrew]

So I did some inquiring and the cost of the upgrade b/w a 15-85 and 17-55 2.8 is about 675 USD.
Thats what my local store will do...where i bought the 7D 15-85 package
Is this a good idea>...seems to me abit expensive
this is returning the kit lens...

i would like to get that blurry look on portraits as my main goal....landscape and wildlife secondary...

[JZaun]

As of now B&H had the 17-55 for $990 and the 15-85 for $720. Thats $270 difference in new price. It seems your store is not giving you much for the 15-85..   I don't know what you paid for it in the kit but their trade seems very high. Take the cost of the 7D,, $1699 off the price you paid and see what you paid for the 15-85 as a kit lens. The you will know better if the trade if fair

Jerry Z

[Bob Atkins]

That upgrade is a bad deal. The EF-S 15-85 is a new lens and in demand, so you should be able to sell it privately for at least 90% of the new price. It's selling for around $720-$730 at reputable retailers like Amazon and Adorama so you should have no problem at all selling it for $650 and you might get $675 for it. It would sell pretty fast on eBay at that price.

The EF-S 17-55/2.8 is selling for $977.59 on Amazon.com and that includes shipping.

So the cost of a switch should be around $300-$325. A dealer wants to make a profit of course, but $675 is a bit steep.

[jon andrew]

Hi Bob,

In your opinion is:

1. the 17-55 better for portrait style indoors?
2. is the quality of the lenses much different between the two...is the 17-55 a slightly higher grade even though its alittle older thatn the 15-85..which I'm sure Canon has invested some new specs into.
3. would a Hoya super multicoated UV filter be sufficent for either
4.  If I can somehow get my local dealer to shrink the price difference, should I pull the trigger as I want the best canon lense for indoor portrait as a primary use that I can get...


Thanks Bob, you've been terrific.

J