17-40mm L 5D2 VS 15-85mm 60D

[Kennn]

I'm currently using the 15-85mm on 60D. The sharpness is great with lots of light but with the 60D I lose so much detail with high ISO when I use it indoors.

That's why I'm considering upgrading to full-frame 5D2.

The only lens I can afford is 17-40mm or anything cheaper and I'm only interested in Canon lenses with USM.

So:
1. 15-85mm on 60D
2. 17-40mm on 5D2

Which combo has a better IQ? My primary concern is sharpness.
Please share results if possible !
Thanks!

 

[ThaQuest]

Lets see here. Will you get better image quality with...

Full frame or Crop? Full frame.
APS-C or an L lens? L.

Choice seems pretty easy to me. You'll get better image quality all around with the 5D2 and 17-40L. However, you won't get the same focal range as your 15-85. In order to approximate that, you'll need to get the 28-135IS, or better yet lose some range and gain some IQ with either the 24-105L or 24-70L.

Good luck...

I'm currently using the 15-85mm on 60D. The sharpness is great with lots of light but with the 60D I lose so much detail with high ISO when I use it indoors.

That's why I'm considering upgrading to full-frame 5D2.

The only lens I can afford is 17-40mm or anything cheaper and I'm only interested in Canon lenses with USM.

So:
1. 15-85mm on 60D
2. 17-40mm on 5D2

Which combo has a better IQ? My primary concern is sharpness.
Please share results if possible !
Thanks!

--
Photography from China: http://www.shenzhenphotos.com

 

[filmluvr]

Neither of those lenses has a large aperture. What you need is a f/2 or faster prime.

--
http://jackandkelly.zenfolio.com/

Canon 5D, 17-40mm, 70-300mm IS USM, 50mm f/1.8 II, 100mm macro, 28-135mm, 28mm f/2.0 Kiron, 135mm f/2.8 Rikenon, 200mm f/3.5 Komuranon, 500mm f/7.0 Komuranon

 

[Ear Mountain]

If you're thinking of buying a camera like the 5D MKII then you should also consider buying lenses that have the quality to compliment that exceptional camera and not detract from it.

The basic choice at the lowest cost and still get some decent quality would be the 24-105 L. That lens is good but there are better lenses. My first choice would be a 24-70 f2.8 L. The new version is indeed pricy but you might find the earlier version of this lens which still produces great results.

The 17-40 is too much of the wide end for all round shooting. But the 16-35 f2.8 would be a good compliment to the 24-70. For the long end I'd go with the 70-200 IS L at either f 4 or f 2.8. These lenses cost a lot more but they are of high quality and will compliment the better 5D MKII.

If these lenses are out of your price range I'd stick with the 60D and work on getting better lenses.

 

[Michael Thomas Mitchell]

The 17-40 L is a great lens, and probably underrated in these forums. However, for what you're talking about, I wouldn't think it the answer to your problems. You're basically saying that with the 15-85, you have to crank the ISO for indoor shots (presumably without flash). That lens is a f3.5-5.6. Meanwhile, the 17-40 is a constant f4. Not much difference. Furthermore, the 17-40 is not stabilized like the 15-85, so you lose some hand-holding capability there.

Next is focal range... the 15-85 is basically the same as a 24-135 on a full frame camera. So, while you're really adding some wide angle with the 17-40 on full frame, you're still technically not getting out of the moderate wide angle range on the 40mm end. For this reason, the 17-40 L is probably best thought of as a COMPLIMENT to other lenses. In fact, a great TRIO of lenses include that one plus the 24-105 f4 IS L and 70-200 f4 IS L. Probably pretty far outside of your budget. And still not really an answer to your low light issue.

What you're probably looking for is something like the Canon 17-55 IS f2.8. It's one of Canon's best non-L lenses. Plus, it gives you that extra 2 stops for low light use while still allowing you to hold onto the stabilization feature. Naturally, it only works with your 60D, not full frame. It's also not cheap. But it's a heck of a lot cheaper than going full frame with L glass.

Best of luck

I'm currently using the 15-85mm on 60D. The sharpness is great with lots of light but with the 60D I lose so much detail with high ISO when I use it indoors.

That's why I'm considering upgrading to full-frame 5D2.

The only lens I can afford is 17-40mm or anything cheaper and I'm only interested in Canon lenses with USM.

So:
1. 15-85mm on 60D
2. 17-40mm on 5D2

Which combo has a better IQ? My primary concern is sharpness.
Please share results if possible !
Thanks!

 

[member054]

Quote: "Which combo has a better IQ? My primary concern is sharpness."

Answer: 5DII & 17-40

However, a bounce flash and a little patience to learn how to use it on will give you better results with your 60D & 15-85.