Canon 15 - 85mm IS or Sigma 17-70mm OS HSM C?

[weepete]

So, I thought I had decided on my upgrade path being a Canon 15 - 85mm IS f3.5-5.6 as an upgrade for my old 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 walk around lens. It looked like it ticked most of the boxes.

Recently however I have become aware of the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC HSM Macro OS C

Now I am torn between the two. The canon has a better range, but the sigma is faster, scores better on DXO Mark and is more affordable if less available on the second hand market. I do have a 70 - 300mm telephoto as well so the long end will still be covered all be it with a lens change but I'm really wondering if the extra speed is worth loosing 2mm off the wide end?

Has anyone tried them both and can offer an opinion?

 

[a_auger]

I don't know about the 15-85, but I absolutely LOVE my Siggy 17-70 "C" on my 7D. The f/2.8@17mm is quite useful in low-light. Quite sharp most of the time despite a little barrel distortion and CA, both easily correctable in post.

As for the wide end. I find that 17mm fits my needs well, but I have some wide-angle lenses (8-16 for sale and a 14mm f/2.8) for the very rare occasions that require wider focal lengths. I suggest you try both lenses if you can find a store with both in stock.

 

[Lumens]

I own both lenses and have to say both are very good lenses. I have seen the Dxo Mark scores but can't help but think the two come out more even than not. The 15-85 stays on my 7D most the time. I picked up the 15-85 about the time I upgraded from a T2i to the 7D. I used the Sigma mostly with the T2i. I do feel the 15-85 is sharper than the Sigma but not by much. There us something about the 7D/15-85 combo I really like.

Ask someone else who has used both and I would not be surprised if they prefer the 17-70. I would have to say they come out about even, I just prefer the feel of the 7D/15-85 combo.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

So, I thought I had decided on my upgrade path being a Canon 15 - 85mm IS f3.5-5.6 as an upgrade for my old 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 walk around lens.

Now I am torn between the two.

What's wrong with your current walkaround lens that you want to replace it? You've got mid range and telephoto, perhaps get a wide angle? I have the two kits,. 18-55, and 55-200 and love them but I wish I had the 10-18mm for shooting people at tables and sunsets and whatnot. it's only 300 beans and gets great reviews..

That being said, I notice both your choices have IS , I recently switched from film to digital and I LOVE the new optical image stabilization, it's a wonder of the modern age and is a miracle for indoor ambient light with slow zooms.

Keep us updated whatever you do decide, eh?

 

[weepete]

"What's wrong with your current walkaround lens that you want to replace it?"

It's old, not as sharp as I'd like and isn't really wide enough being 28mm on a crop sensor. I could use IS as well which would help me keep the ISO low when I'm shooting landscapes and don't have my tripod.

 

[saharac]

I'm in the same boat, trying to decide on a general purpose wide angle zoom. The ones i'm considering are the Canon 15-85, Sigma 17-70 and the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8
I will most likely go with the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 since it gets better reviews for IQ. I am also getting a Tamron 70-300mm telephoto lens, so don't think getting the Sigma 17-50 will be a major drawback in not covering the 50-70mm range.

 

[weepete]

After masses amounts of reading and a wee check of what the difference in focal length actually is using a full frame equivalent (24 vs 28mm) I'm pretty much decided on the Sigma 17-70mm HSM C. I dont recon I'll miss the 2mm on the wide end whereas the extra stop is really appealing plus it gives me an excuse to buy a 10-20mm later on!