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Should I sell 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 and buy 18-135 IS STM?

Started Jun 23, 2014 | Discussions thread
Lemming51
Lemming51 Forum Pro • Posts: 15,278
Re: Should I sell 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 and buy 18-135 IS STM?

teijo wrote:

Hi,

I have been reading this great forum for a long time, but finally I decided to register - this is the first post

And the question is about these Canon lenses. Here's some background information: now I'm using 550D with 15-85 USM and 50mm f/1.8 lenses, but I'm considering to buy 70D and keep the 550D as a secondary/backup SLR. I've been generally happy with 15-85, but sometimes I've been missing a little bit longer lens.

Main reasons for the body upgrade are better video/focus capabilities and the fully-articulated screen, as I'm planning to film also some video material with SLR.

And that brings us to the lens situation. Maybe 70D video recording would benefit from the STM focus of the 18-135 and also there would be more reach at the telephoto end. It seems that current 15-85 and new 18-135 are same kind of "all round" lenses, so I'm thinking that 15-85 would still be worth something if I sold it. But would this be stupid from IQ point of view? Of course I would like to keep image quality at the same level that I get with 15-85, but would there be big difference?

What is your advice in this situation? To keep using 15-85 with 70D, change the lens to 18-135, or keep both lenses (which would hurt the budget...) Of course other ideas are also welcome!

Thanks for advice!

I love my 15-85, but considering your interest in video, and the 70D's ability to AF silently in video with the STM lens, I think selling the 15-85 for the 18-135 STM makes a lot of sense.

I'd also sell the 550D while it's still worth something.  Unless you're working paid assignments, I don't think there's that much value in having a backup.  Even so, how reliable a backup is a 4 year old entry-level DSLR?

IMHO, YMMV.

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 Lemming51's gear list:Lemming51's gear list
Canon EOS 40D Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +5 more
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