Canon 15-85 vs 18-135 STM, What am I missing?

technophile · Feb 8, 2013

Why is everyone in love with the 15-85 as possibly the best all around ef-s lens for crop bodies, while the new 18-135 STM gets no love at all? Most folks cite the lensrental review as proof that the 18-135 isn't much good or much of an improvement over the original 18-135, yet photozone for one tells a different story, showing the 18-135 as nearly the same in resolution performance and actually a bit better in across the frame sharpness at most settings. Photozone rates both lenses as 3.5 for optical quality Photozone 15-85 , Photozone 18-135 STM . I know the value of the wide angle on the 15-85, but let's put that aside for this discussion (I already have a UWA lens) and help me understand why I would consider paying more for the 15-85? Is the 15-85 over-rated, or the 18-135 STM under-rated, or none of the above? What am I missing?

Thorbard · Feb 8, 2013

Looking at http://www.the-digital-picture.com 's test charts (here) the 15-85mm is much sharper all the way to the corners wide open at all focal lengths, while they're more indistinguishable at f8. The 15-85 has less distortion too.

The 15-85 is obviously wider, but lacks the same telephoto options. USM is generally a better focusing mechanism for stills photography (STM is designed with video and contrast-detect in mind).

Other than that I guess build quality might be an issue?

technophile · Feb 8, 2013

Thorbard said:
Thorbard wrote:

Looking at http://www.the-digital-picture.com 's test charts (here) the 15-85mm is much sharper all the way to the corners wide open at all focal lengths, while they're more indistinguishable at f8. The 15-85 has less distortion too.

The 15-85 is obviously wider, but lacks the same telephoto options. USM is generally a better focusing mechanism for stills photography (STM is designed with video and contrast-detect in mind).

Other than that I guess build quality might be an issue?

brian1366 · Feb 8, 2013

I haven't used the new 18-135mm STM but the 15-85mm is worlds better than the old 18-135mm which I replaced with the 15-85mm.

Let's say they brought the 18-135mm optically up to par with the 15-85mm, the 15-85mm still has these advantages:

Amazing true 4-stop IS (I can shoot 1.5-2 stops slower with the 15-85mm). Did they improve IS on the STM version?

USM focusing with full time manual focus

Less zoom creep (again, maybe this was improved but was awful on the 18-135mm original)

And sharpness isn't the only optical measure. Contrast on the 15-85mm was superior to the original 18-135mm.

The new STM version does sound pretty good though. I loved the range of the 18-135mm.

Just looked at the digital picture comparison. The 15-85mm looks to have better resolution, contrast and less CA.

dave_bass5 · Feb 8, 2013

I owned the 15-85 for about a year, i replaced my 17-55Is f/2.8 with it. Its a great lens, very versatile and i love how small and light it is.

A friend has the 18-135 STM, in fact he has two (dont ask) and after borrowing one for a while, and comparing the shots from both lenses on the same camera if i ever go back to crop cameras i would get the 18-135, no question. It might not win out in the overall IQ stakes, although i would say its very close, but its a great range, especially for travelling or walking around all day, and i had no AF issues.

technophile · Feb 8, 2013

brian1366 said:
brian1366 wrote:

I haven't used the new 18-135mm STM but the 15-85mm is worlds better than the old 18-135mm which I replaced with the 15-85mm.

Let's say they brought the 18-135mm optically up to par with the 15-85mm, the 15-85mm still has these advantages:

Amazing true 4-stop IS (I can shoot 1.5-2 stops slower with the 15-85mm). Did they improve IS on the STM version?

USM focusing with full time manual focus

Less zoom creep (again, maybe this was improved but was awful on the 18-135mm original)

And sharpness isn't the only optical measure. Contrast on the 15-85mm was superior to the original 18-135mm.

The new STM version does sound pretty good though. I loved the range of the 18-135mm.

Just looked at the digital picture comparison. The 15-85mm looks to have better resolution, contrast and less CA.

Good questions. From the Canon site: "It features a refined Image Stabilization system that delivers up to four equivalent stops of shake correction throughout the zoom range...Whether shooting movies or stills, image quality is phenomenal, with one UD and one PMo aspheric lens providing high resolution and high contrast images with reduced chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range. A 7 blade, circular aperture ensures beautiful, soft backgrounds and optimized lens coatings ensure excellent color with minimized ghosting and flare. A zoom ring lock even prevents the lens from accidently extending... This EF-S lens supports the Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR's Movie Servo AF feature for smooth and quiet continuous AF during movie shooting by utilizing a new six-group zoom system and the adoption of a stepping motor and focus mechanism. High-speed autofocus is achieved thanks to an Inner focusing system, high-speed CPU, and optimized AF algorithm. Appearing for the first time in a Canon lens is Dynamic IS (Movie Shooting Mode only) that uses a wide image stabilization correction range to help ensure steady video while shooting when walking." Most of that is of no concern since I don't do video and my 60D doesn't support Movie Servo AF. However the STM motor is supposedly silent and fast. No FTM focus, but a manual focus over ride by half pressing the shutter, then turning the focus ring. This lens is quite different from the original 18-135 IS (which I have).

technophile · Feb 8, 2013

dave_bass5 said:
dave_bass5 wrote:

I owned the 15-85 for about a year, i replaced my 17-55Is f/2.8 with it. Its a great lens, very versatile and i love how small and light it is.

A friend has the 18-135 STM, in fact he has two (dont ask) and after borrowing one for a while, and comparing the shots from both lenses on the same camera if i ever go back to crop cameras i would get the 18-135, no question. It might not win out in the overall IQ stakes, although i would say its very close, but its a great range, especially for travelling or walking around all day, and i had no AF issues.

dave_bass5 · Feb 8, 2013

technophile said:
technophile wrote:

technophile said:

dave_bass5 wrote:

I owned the 15-85 for about a year, i replaced my 17-55Is f/2.8 with it. Its a great lens, very versatile and i love how small and light it is.

A friend has the 18-135 STM, in fact he has two (dont ask) and after borrowing one for a while, and comparing the shots from both lenses on the same camera if i ever go back to crop cameras i would get the 18-135, no question. It might not win out in the overall IQ stakes, although i would say its very close, but its a great range, especially for travelling or walking around all day, and i had no AF issues.

Click to expand...

jitteringjr · Feb 8, 2013

technophile said:
technophile wrote:

technophile said:
No FTM focus, but a manual focus over ride by half pressing the shutter, then turning the focus ring.

I have never even seen one, but from reading people's comments about it here, The 18-135 STM doesn't even have real manual focusing. When you turn the focus ring, it is actually sending a signal to electrically drive the focus. This seems like it would be rather annoying to me.

technophile · Feb 8, 2013

dave_bass5 said:
dave_bass5 wrote:

dave_bass5 said:

technophile wrote:

dave_bass5 said:

dave_bass5 wrote:

I owned the 15-85 for about a year, i replaced my 17-55Is f/2.8 with it. Its a great lens, very versatile and i love how small and light it is.

A friend has the 18-135 STM, in fact he has two (dont ask) and after borrowing one for a while, and comparing the shots from both lenses on the same camera if i ever go back to crop cameras i would get the 18-135, no question. It might not win out in the overall IQ stakes, although i would say its very close, but its a great range, especially for travelling or walking around all day, and i had no AF issues.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

technophile · Feb 8, 2013

jitteringjr said:
jitteringjr wrote:

jitteringjr said:

technophile wrote:

Click to expand...

jitteringjr said:

No FTM focus, but a manual focus over ride by half pressing the shutter, then turning the focus ring.

Click to expand...

I have never even seen one, but from reading people's comments about it here, The 18-135 STM doesn't even have real manual focusing. When you turn the focus ring, it is actually sending a signal to electrically drive the focus. This seems like it would be rather annoying to me.

The FTM is nice, but for a walk around lens, it is not critical to me. The focus by wire thing may be annoying, but I doubt I would use it all that much. Thanks for the reply.

Thorbard · Feb 8, 2013

technophile said:
technophile wrote:

technophile said:

Thorbard wrote:

Looking at http://www.the-digital-picture.com 's test charts (here) the 15-85mm is much sharper all the way to the corners wide open at all focal lengths, while they're more indistinguishable at f8. The 15-85 has less distortion too.

The 15-85 is obviously wider, but lacks the same telephoto options. USM is generally a better focusing mechanism for stills photography (STM is designed with video and contrast-detect in mind).

Other than that I guess build quality might be an issue?

Click to expand...

tkbslc · Feb 8, 2013

USM + 15mm > STM and 135mm for my needs.

TTMartin · Feb 8, 2013

Thorbard said:
Thorbard wrote:

Looking at http://www.the-digital-picture.com 's test charts (here) the 15-85mm is much sharper all the way to the corners wide open at all focal lengths, while they're more indistinguishable at f8. The 15-85 has less distortion too.

The 15-85 is obviously wider, but lacks the same telephoto options. USM is generally a better focusing mechanism for stills photography (STM is designed with video and contrast-detect in mind).

Other than that I guess build quality might be an issue?

Mannypr · Feb 11, 2013

What are we talking about ? 15mm vs 18mm . Just take a few steps backward and your there . 85mm vs 135mm ? Now that is more then a few steps . I would dare say I prefer the telephoto extra range then those 3mm of wide angle . Electronic manual focusing vs manual ? Same thing . It's just that they say it doesn't react inmediately but nowadays , how many times do you shot manual ? We it comes down to spending money ( at least this is the way I think ) you have to be practical . Adding and subtracting the 18-135 makes more sense then the 15-85mm

Lemming51 · Feb 11, 2013

Mannypr said:
Mannypr wrote:

What are we talking about ? 15mm vs 18mm . Just take a few steps backward and you're there ...

No, you're not. Backing up (if you can) gives a different perspective, framing, fore- and background. It is not the same as shooting with the shorter focal length.

Just as getting closer is not the same as using longer focal length.

What we're talking about is what virtually everyone has said. You pay your money and take your choice. Some prefer the wider zoom and USM, others the longer tele and STM. There is no right answer, just what is one's personal preferrence.

IMHO, YMMV.

tkbslc · Feb 11, 2013

Mannypr said:
Mannypr wrote:

What are we talking about ? 15mm vs 18mm . Just take a few steps backward and your there . 85mm vs 135mm ? Now that is more then a few steps . I would dare say I prefer the telephoto extra range then those 3mm of wide angle . Electronic manual focusing vs manual ? Same thing . It's just that they say it doesn't react inmediately but nowadays , how many times do you shot manual ? We it comes down to spending money ( at least this is the way I think ) you have to be practical . Adding and subtracting the 18-135 makes more sense then the 15-85mm

Great. You use the 18-135mm. I'll use the 15-85. Wonderful to have the choice.

Now your implication that 18 and 15mm are merely a matter of a few steps shows you have little experience using a wide angle lens. The irony is that I often use a wider angle to get closer and exaggerate perspective. Stepping back could possible fit the subject in at 18mm, but it would drastically alter the photo's perspective. And in many cases, stepping back a few steps could be more like a miles, assuming a landscape

85 vs 135 is nice, but I have 2 other lenses covering 85-135mm but none covering 15mm. USM is a luxury, sure, but I decided to pay for it and I enjoy using it.

FWIW, I owned the nonSTM 18-135mm and the zoom range is not nearly as versatile as the 15-85 for my usage.

technophile · Feb 11, 2013

Mannypr said:
Mannypr wrote:

What are we talking about ? 15mm vs 18mm . Just take a few steps backward and your there . 85mm vs 135mm ? Now that is more then a few steps . I would dare say I prefer the telephoto extra range then those 3mm of wide angle . Electronic manual focusing vs manual ? Same thing . It's just that they say it doesn't react inmediately but nowadays , how many times do you shot manual ? We it comes down to spending money ( at least this is the way I think ) you have to be practical . Adding and subtracting the 18-135 makes more sense then the 15-85mm

Thanks for the reply. I have to agree with Lemming51 and tkbslc that there really is no right or wrong choice. It all depends on your paricular wants/needs. After doing the comparisons and reading the reviews, I've decided to give the 18-135 STM a chance. I really like both lenses, but will try this option for now. Much of my decision is based on how closely the two perform on the digital picture dot com (on the 60d) and the fact that I like my current 67mm filters (don't want to have to sell them for 72mm filters). I figure the worst that can happen is that I'm disappointed when I try it out and I resell it while "as new".

MAC · Feb 11, 2013

Thorbard said:
Thorbard wrote:

Thorbard said:

technophile wrote:

Thorbard said:

Thorbard wrote:

Looking at http://www.the-digital-picture.com 's test charts (here) the 15-85mm is much sharper all the way to the corners wide open at all focal lengths, while they're more indistinguishable at f8. The 15-85 has less distortion too.

The 15-85 is obviously wider, but lacks the same telephoto options. USM is generally a better focusing mechanism for stills photography (STM is designed with video and contrast-detect in mind).

Other than that I guess build quality might be an issue?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Rene71 · Feb 12, 2013

technophile said:
technophile wrote:

technophile said:

Mannypr wrote:

What are we talking about ? 15mm vs 18mm . Just take a few steps backward and your there . 85mm vs 135mm ? Now that is more then a few steps . I would dare say I prefer the telephoto extra range then those 3mm of wide angle . Electronic manual focusing vs manual ? Same thing . It's just that they say it doesn't react inmediately but nowadays , how many times do you shot manual ? We it comes down to spending money ( at least this is the way I think ) you have to be practical . Adding and subtracting the 18-135 makes more sense then the 15-85mm

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I have to agree with Lemming51 and tkbslc that there really is no right or wrong choice. It all depends on your paricular wants/needs. After doing the comparisons and reading the reviews, I've decided to give the 18-135 STM a chance. I really like both lenses, but will try this option for now. Much of my decision is based on how closely the two perform on the digital picture dot com (on the 60d) and the fact that I like my current 67mm filters (don't want to have to sell them for 72mm filters). I figure the worst that can happen is that I'm disappointed when I try it out and I resell it while "as new".

Canon 15-85 vs 18-135 STM, What am I missing?

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