Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM: Canon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

Started May 20, 2013 | Questions

mridulghosh12 • New Member • Posts: 21

Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

May 20, 2013

I have Canon XSi with 18-55 IS + 55-250 +50mm 1.8. The 18-55 is on my camera 95% of time, I occasionally miss a little more reach, mainly for portrait.

I am planning a lens upgrade soon (going to Yellowstone in July). I would like to carry fewer lenses but all-in-ones did not work for me as I bought andreturnedboth Canon 18-135 (older) and Tamron 18-270 due to image quality issues. I am also planning body upgrade later in the year or next year. I will sell Xsi with 18-55. Will keep 55-250 and 50mm

I am torn between these two choices :

Canon EFS 15-85 USM with my XSi now and 60D/70D later in the year
T4i with 18-135 STM

Please advise which of the above options people would prefer.

I do video also mainly with iphone 4s and Canon flash HD camcorder. Is manual focus on DSLR video too difficult ( 60D)?

My top subjects are my busy toddler, landscape, portrait. I cannot have too much lens with me as daughter keeps running and time is always short.

Thanks for helping out, this is my first post

Have a nice day

Mridul

ANSWER:

This question has not been answered yet.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EOS 450D (EOS Rebel XSi / EOS Kiss X2) Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS Rebel T4i (EOS 650D / EOS Kiss X6i)

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Damoo • Senior Member • Posts: 1,102

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to mridulghosh12 • May 21, 2013

See if you can get a used 70-200mm f4L IS USM or if u can shoot handheld, the 70-200mm f4L without IS. Not only u will get better reach (upto 200mm), and f4 is one stop faster than f5.6

Keep ur 18-55mm, instead of 15-85mm, get the 70-200mm (the IS version used or the non IS)

Be it T4i or 60D, the 70-200mm will perform very well. All AF points on the 60D are cross types.

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ggoldfarb • Forum Member • Posts: 64

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to mridulghosh12 • May 21, 2013

Hi,

What about the Tamron 17-50 (I use the non VC)? sharp, fast and the price is reasonable.

Since I don't do video, I cannot comment about it.

Good luck

Guy

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davel33 • Senior Member • Posts: 2,978

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to mridulghosh12 • May 21, 2013

The 18-135 STM is a very fine lens. Its the only lens Canon makes with dynamic IS, its great for video ( like a built in steady cam). The focus is very fast and accurate plus silent. The IQ is also very good. You will have auto focus while in video mode that is smooth and silent with a 4ti,5ti or SL1.

Good luck

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akustykmagmanetpl • Senior Member • Posts: 1,363

15-85 hands down

In reply to mridulghosh12 • May 23, 2013

I've had the older version of 18-135 and while not bad optically, it wasn't really great at wide angle, plus its AF is quite slow.

15-85 gives significantly wider view with less distortion, much better sharpness, faster AF and is also better built. to me this choice is easy.

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SeaScout851 • Veteran Member • Posts: 6,342

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to mridulghosh12 • May 23, 2013

Use this tool to compare the 15-85 and the 18-135 STM. You can change the focal length and f stops and then compare quality. Be sure and look at all the parts, not just the center.

By the way I shoot with 15-85 on a 7d and my wife uses 18-135 STM on a t4i. Both are excellent. But for me when shooting with the 18-135 I miss the extra width more than the extra length when using the 15-85.

Were I going to Yellowstone this summer I'd be using the 15-85 and 100-400.

Andy

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OP mridulghosh12 • New Member • Posts: 21

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to SeaScout851 • May 23, 2013

SeaScout851 wrote:

Use this tool to compare the 15-85 and the 18-135 STM. You can change the focal length and f stops and then compare quality. Be sure and look at all the parts, not just the center.

By the way I shoot with 15-85 on a 7d and my wife uses 18-135 STM on a t4i. Both are excellent. But for me when shooting with the 18-135 I miss the extra width more than the extra length when using the 15-85.

Were I going to Yellowstone this summer I'd be using the 15-85 and 100-400.

Andy

Thanks Andy : which tool ? link?

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OP mridulghosh12 • New Member • Posts: 21

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to SeaScout851 • May 23, 2013

SeaScout851 wrote:

Use this tool to compare the 15-85 and the 18-135 STM. You can change the focal length and f stops and then compare quality. Be sure and look at all the parts, not just the center.

By the way I shoot with 15-85 on a 7d and my wife uses 18-135 STM on a t4i. Both are excellent. But for me when shooting with the 18-135 I miss the extra width more than the extra length when using the 15-85.

Were I going to Yellowstone this summer I'd be using the 15-85 and 100-400.

Andy

Thank you and good luck with Yellowstone, I will be there the week of 4th July. Have you tried 15-85 on t4i ? the reason I ask is I am waiting fro next 70D which may have auto focus video so wanted to see if 15-85 will be loud for autofocus video.

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Gunzorro • Senior Member • Posts: 1,892

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to mridulghosh12 • May 23, 2013

Depends on your priorities:

Stills -- 60D and 15-85 IS

Video -- T4i and 18-135 STM IS

Either will overlap into the other in a pinch, but those are the areas that will work best. I shoot mainly stills and have a the first combination as a travel set-up with excellent results.

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englishman • Senior Member • Posts: 1,018

Re: 15-85 hands down

In reply to akustykmagmanetpl • May 23, 2013

akustykmagmanetpl wrote:

I've had the older version of 18-135 and while not bad optically, it wasn't really great at wide angle, plus its AF is quite slow.

15-85 gives significantly wider view with less distortion, much better sharpness, faster AF and is also better built. to me this choice is easy.

The old 18-135 and the new 18-135 STM are different lenses . . . here's a good article that describes it and compares it to the 15-85.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/07/canons-18-135mm-is-gets-an-stm-makeover

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SeaScout851 • Veteran Member • Posts: 6,342

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to mridulghosh12 • May 23, 2013

mridulghosh12 wrote:

SeaScout851 wrote:

Use this tool to compare the 15-85 and the 18-135 STM. You can change the focal length and f stops and then compare quality. Be sure and look at all the parts, not just the center.

By the way I shoot with 15-85 on a 7d and my wife uses 18-135 STM on a t4i. Both are excellent. But for me when shooting with the 18-135 I miss the extra width more than the extra length when using the 15-85.

Were I going to Yellowstone this summer I'd be using the 15-85 and 100-400.

Andy

Thanks Andy : which tool ? link?

Sorry here it is:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=675&Camera=736&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=809&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Andy

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OP mridulghosh12 • New Member • Posts: 21

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to SeaScout851 • May 23, 2013

SeaScout851 wrote:

mridulghosh12 wrote:

SeaScout851 wrote:

Use this tool to compare the 15-85 and the 18-135 STM. You can change the focal length and f stops and then compare quality. Be sure and look at all the parts, not just the center.

By the way I shoot with 15-85 on a 7d and my wife uses 18-135 STM on a t4i. Both are excellent. But for me when shooting with the 18-135 I miss the extra width more than the extra length when using the 15-85.

Were I going to Yellowstone this summer I'd be using the 15-85 and 100-400.

Andy

Thanks Andy : which tool ? link?

Sorry here it is:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=675&Camera=736&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=809&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Andy

Thanks

Mridul

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OP mridulghosh12 • New Member • Posts: 21

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to mridulghosh12 • Jun 17, 2013

I bought 15-85 to be used with my XSI for now. will wait for 70D. Will let know how was the quality soon

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stratobill • Senior Member • Posts: 2,081

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to mridulghosh12 • Jun 17, 2013

mridulghosh12 wrote:

I bought 15-85 to be used with my XSI for now. will wait for 70D. Will let know how was the quality soon

I think you made the right decision, the 60D is getting older, and the XSI sensor is similar.

I would wait and see what's coming up for Canon. Particularly whether new sensor technology is on it's way.

The 15-85 is great, just a bit slow on the long end, but thought the IQ was very good and the range is perfect for travel.

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lexar123 • Forum Member • Posts: 73

Re: Canon 15-85 USM + 60D or T4i with 18-135 STM

In reply to stratobill • Jun 17, 2013

I have the 15-85 and also think it perfect for travel.

I bought it because I wanted better image quality then the 18-55 and I found the range too narrow and would always want to switch lenses. (not wide enough, and not long enough)

I think the 15-85 range is perfect and I don't feel the need for a UWA. Also 85 is perfect in general walk around.. if I need longer then I really need long and don't mind switching lenses.

The image quality is better but I would not say night and day.. the kit lens is actually pretty good.

However the 15-85 range is great, the lens feels very solid, the focus is very fast and accurate.

I think the 15-18 is a lot more important then the 85-135.. You can always crop a little but you can get wider sometimes.

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OP mridulghosh12 • New Member • Posts: 21

Re: Canon 15-85 sample shots

In reply to mridulghosh12 • Jun 20, 2013

Thanks everyone. I went with 15-85 for my Xsi and happy with the lens so far. Did some comparison with 18-55 ( which is good too) and found to have better sharpness, better contrast and color. You can find which lens was used in the pic text

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Kasper FC • Regular Member • Posts: 238

Re: Canon 15-85 sample shots

In reply to mridulghosh12 • Jun 23, 2013

are you considering dumping your 60d for a T4i?

Get the 60d any day. Much more comfortable body design. I had the T4i, and got the 6d mainly because of the ergonomics and of cause FF sensor.

I think that you will get as sore hands and fingers from handling the T4i as i did, if your using proper lenses. (not a little light kit lens)

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OP mridulghosh12 • New Member • Posts: 21

Re: Canon 15-85 sample shots

In reply to Kasper FC • Jun 24, 2013

Kasper FC wrote:

are you considering dumping your 60d for a T4i?

Get the 60d any day. Much more comfortable body design. I had the T4i, and got the 6d mainly because of the ergonomics and of cause FF sensor.

I think that you will get as sore hands and fingers from handling the T4i as i did, if your using proper lenses. (not a little light kit lens)

Hi Kasper : I have neither still using Xsi with 15-85. I like it so far. I am waiting for next 70D or something like that. Want to explore DSLR shallow DOF video. But no more rebel. BTW I checked SL1 in Costco and its horrible....no grips whatsoever!

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OP mridulghosh12 • New Member • Posts: 21

Re: Canon 15-85 USM goes to Grand Teton and yellowstone

In reply to mridulghosh12 • Jul 8, 2013

Very happy with my 15-85 on xsi. Pl see sample shots from Grand Teton and Yellowstone last week.

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Limburger • Veteran Member • Posts: 7,841

Re: Canon 15-85 USM goes to Grand Teton and yellowstone

In reply to mridulghosh12 • Jul 8, 2013

Looks like you had some fun over there

The 15-85 is a very nice walkaround and even portraitlens.

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Cheers Mike

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