Great all-purpose lens

ardeswit wrote:

This is truly a great lens. I've been using it for a couple of years with D60 and I am totally happy with it. It is wide, wider than you would expect it to be. It is quick and sharp. If you know what you are shooting the lens will never miss focus. Sometimes it gives you limitation on the long side, but then again, it is not meant to be a tele. The zoom ring is very convenient, the build is very good. Finally, it is big and looks sexy, especially with the native hood. Back when I was buying it, I wished it were less expensive, yes, but since then I've never thought about the price again.

Yes, I would agree it is an excellent lens. It's great for travel and for all-round use. The 2-3 stops of IS combined with today's cameras with good high(er) ISO performance makes this a good choice.

Absolutely)

ardeswit wrote:

If you know what you are shooting the lens will never miss focus.

This lens it known to have frontfocus on many Rebel bodies in the WA range; quite annoying. And this is not 'operator error' and also occurs with center point focus. If you only do people shots (and not infinity subjects like landscape/architecture) and f/8 or so you probably won't notice, but it is problem to be aware of if you use a Rebel and want sharp images.

Finally, it is big and looks sexy, especially with the native hood.

I get it, that's what we buy cameras and lenses for; I won't go into details about people who are afraid of using 'inadequate' small and light lenses ...

Experienced the same front issue with t1. T2 and t4 are better but the 40d is best. Also, watch out for wide angle decentering. A good copy is a fine lens but shouldn't all copies be good.

Greg

technic wrote:

ardeswit wrote:

If you know what you are shooting the lens will never miss focus.

This lens it known to have frontfocus on many Rebel bodies in the WA range; quite annoying. And this is not 'operator error' and also occurs with center point focus. If you only do people shots (and not infinity subjects like landscape/architecture) and f/8 or so you probably won't notice, but it is problem to be aware of if you use a Rebel and want sharp images.

Finally, it is big and looks sexy, especially with the native hood.

I get it, that's what we buy cameras and lenses for; I won't go into details about people who are afraid of using 'inadequate' small and light lenses ...

There may be 'some' issues re focusing on some cameras, but that is not unlike many camera/lens sets. With my T2i and in any shooting situation at any aperture my 15-85mm performs perfectly. I regularly print at 16x20in for exhibitions.

canuck dave wrote:

technic wrote:

ardeswit wrote:

If you know what you are shooting the lens will never miss focus.

This lens it known to have frontfocus on many Rebel bodies in the WA range; quite annoying. And this is not 'operator error' and also occurs with center point focus. If you only do people shots (and not infinity subjects like landscape/architecture) and f/8 or so you probably won't notice, but it is problem to be aware of if you use a Rebel and want sharp images.

Finally, it is big and looks sexy, especially with the native hood.

I get it, that's what we buy cameras and lenses for; I won't go into details about people who are afraid of using 'inadequate' small and light lenses ...

There may be 'some' issues re focusing on some cameras, but that is not unlike many camera/lens sets. With my T2i and in any shooting situation at any aperture my 15-85mm performs perfectly. I regularly print at 16x20in for exhibitions.

Of course I can't judge how your equipment performs, but I know from testing and discussions years ago that the problem is widespread. Many forum contributors simply don't know how to test and will deny any problem with their gear.

The other issue with the 15-85 is copy variation; a majority of them are visibly decentered (worst performance of any Canon lens I know, the cheap 18-55IS is many times better when it comes to copy variation). Even several official reviews have noticed ... But fortunately for Canon, most posters on the DPR forums don't know how to check that either or claim that 'corners don't matter'.

If you have a perfect copy, enjoy

Took me 3 tries to get this lens without decentering on the left at wide angle. Also, had issues with the top of the line, 17-55mm. Frustrated. I test with 3 different camera to eliminate the problem being the camera. I shoot real scenic subjects and not test charts as well. I think QC on decentering seems to be a problem. Just my .02

Greg

vlab wrote:

NancyP wrote:

Yes. That's one disadvantage of going to full frame - there is no 15-85 equivalent, and nothing close preserves the wide end, the FF lenses all start at 24mm. The 15-85 is a great landscape lens and a great all-purpose hiking lens with decent close-up ability.

EF-S 15-85 - for crop sensor, FF equvalent - 24-105, shorter on long end, but the same 24mm in wide.

Sort of. I don't think it gets as much from the best that a FF sensor can as the 15-85 gets from the best most APS-C sensors can do though.