New lenses > New Kits?

[DNA]

Hi Bob,

I have not seen higher competition on new dslr than now. Personally, I am a little bit disappointed with not to release new FF body with lower price. But I am about to concentrate new EF-s lenses: 15-85 IS and 18-135mm IS. I am tempted by two lenses because they are very useful range in 500D.

Anyway, I am dreaming to get 15-85(or 18-135) with 500D as a second option next to FF (mainly because of light weight and range). But if they will be sold as a kit, it couldn't be better.

Do you expect that Canon will release the kit?
In addition, how do you estimate their IQ viewing on MTF chart? I have no idea of MTF chart.

Any comments, appreciated!

Don

[Bob Atkins]

I've no idea if Canon will offer the new lenses as part of a camera+ lens kit. It's certainly possible but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it. They've offered several different kit lenses. The EF-S 18-55 and the EF 28-135 seem to be the most popular, but they've also included the EF-S 17-85 and the EF 75-300 with special promotions.

You can read more about MTF here: http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/technical/mtf/mtf1.html

[KeithB]

Bob:
Do you think the 15-85 will replace the 17-85?  I wonder if it has less distortion at 15 mm than the other at 17?

[Bob Atkins]

I think it might. They are both f3.5-f5.6 and it doesn't really make sense to have such similar lenses (in terms of focal length range, speed etc.) in the lineup. The downside is, of course, that the new lens lists for $800, while the 17-85 can be found for under $450. I suppose the 15-85 price will drop in due course, but it will still be quite a bit more expensive.

I'd hope the new lens doesn't have more distortion! The 17-85 has quite a bit of barrel distortion at 17mm. It's fairly easy to correct, but from a quality and convenience viewpoint it's better not to have it there in the first place.

The new lens has 3 aspheric and one UD element, while the 17-85 has one aspheric element (with 2 aspheric surfaces) and no UD elements. I'd assume that the additional complexity of the 15-85 design would improve image quality somewhat. Aspherics and UD don't directly control distortion though, but the use of additional aspherics might allow other optical design changes which could lower distortion.

The Canon press release can be found here:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef100-2.8_efs18-135_efs15-85.html