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

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!

-Teijo

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.

Depending on where you are in the world, one of the best deals right now is to scoop a 24-105 L lens from someone who bought it as a kit lens bundled with a new body.  You can get for half price and it's brand new.  Sell the 15-85 and the cost difference won't be much at all.  That's what I did and it's been great.

kelpdiver wrote:

bruxi wrote:

Depending on where you are in the world, one of the best deals right now is to scoop a 24-105 L lens from someone who bought it as a kit lens bundled with a new body. You can get for half price and it's brand new. Sell the 15-85 and the cost difference won't be much at all. That's what I did and it's been great.

24mm is horribly limiting for a crop sensor. Even 18 is a bit annoying when you're used to the 15.

Yes, I agree. 24mm is not wide enough on a crop. I would only get the 24-105 if I already had, or planned to add, a 10-22.

Get the 18-135 STM if you plan to use the 70D for a lot of video, otherwise just keep the 15-85.

The 15-85 is a great lens and believe it or not, you would probably miss the 3mm on the wide end more than you would think. It is always easy to crop an 85mm image to something close to a 135mm image, but you can never go the other way.

Why not add a 55-250 STM?

There is one extra advantage with the 18-135 stm, it has dynamic IS, it acts like a steady cam in video mode to smooth out video while walking/ moving.  It helps a lot if moving in video mode  Read the Canon website about the 18-135 stm.

Dave