Canon 15-85m f/3.5-5.6 IS

[clarnibass]

A while ago I asked here and some other forums when I wanted to upgrade my KIT lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (non-II, which I understand is optically the same as the II). I checked the Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (no VC), Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 VC, Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 OS, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 EX OS, only one of each except the Tamron no VC that I checked two.

My main issue was sharpness. I got a lot of replies that the 18-55mm IS has a lot of issues but sharpness isn't really one of them and that most lenses, unless going for the best ones, won't really be that much sharper. Although IQ was better than my previous P&S, it just didn't feel that much better, especially with sharpness. I decided against most of those lenses for various reasons and ended up with the 15-85 vs. the 17-55, taking test shots and eventually choosing the 15-85mm. I preferred the zoom over the bigger aperture, sharpness seemed pretty much the same and the price was much lower.

Maybe my 18-55 IS is just not so good, but the 15-85 is so much sharper, it's a huge difference. Contrast and colours (when looking at the full photo) are sometimes better too (but never worse, IMO). With the 18-55 I shot mostly under the 25mm-30mm area and at 55mm. So here is a 100% center crop of 15-85mm at 85mm and 18-55mm at 55mm, both at their longest zoom. Both at same f. JPG from camera with no editing. Same position with self timer. Actually, the same shot I took with the 18-55mm at 37mm is softer, so the 55m focus which I heard bad things about wasn't the worst on this lens. So... FWIW.

 

[Mr. Pick]

Thank you for posting this up. I'm in the same decision mode you were in, trying to decide which lens to buy to replace my 18-55. I never felt mine was sharp enough either. Think you may have just helped me make my decision...

 

[TiCoyote]

Thank you for the helpful post. Your findings are largely consistent with Brian Carnathan's. He found a bit more CA at the long end of the 15-85. It is a much more expensive lens, so you would hope to get better IQ. Also, I find that digital sensors resolve detail better when the image is more zoomed in or taken at a closer distance.

 

[chaosrealm93]

very cool!