Perfect walk around lens.

Perfect walk around lens for travel and landscape. Use my 50-250 and 10-18 only about 15% of the time.

Basically, the 15-85 is the APS-C version of the full frame 24-105.  Because of the very wide angle to short tele zoom range, neither one is capable of being an outstanding performer at more than one point in that zoom range.  Nonetheless, it IS an excellent walk-around lens.

Tom Stephenson wrote:

Perfect walk around lens for travel and landscape. Use my 50-250 and 10-18 only about 15% of the time.

Totally agree. The focal range is fantastic, and the image quality matches my L glass. It's not the brightest lens, but I love everything else enough where it doesn't matter.

I love the focal length but if someone is reading this and plans to get one be sure to check it out carefully during the return period, especially since the lens is slow enough that I shot with mine wide open or close to it 90% of the time. Mine also front focuses (and my crop cameras do not have MFA), and it's just not sharp in general. In fact, the kit lens that came with my SL1 is now my main travel lens because it's actually sharper than my 2010 vintage 15-85.

So, not all copies are great.

ddixon wrote:

I love the focal length but if someone is reading this and plans to get one be sure to check it out carefully during the return period, especially since the lens is slow enough that I shot with mine wide open or close to it 90% of the time. Mine also front focuses (and my crop cameras do not have MFA), and it's just not sharp in general. In fact, the kit lens that came with my SL1 is now my main travel lens because it's actually sharper than my 2010 vintage 15-85.

So, not all copies are great.

Certainly sounds like your copy of the 15-85 has some issues. My experience with this lens is significantly different. I find it to be quite sharp across its range with no front focusing. FWIW, my usage rarely requires it to be wide open. I would agree that all lenses should be checked out carefully. At one time I had the Canon 17-40L. Performed similar to your 15-85.

I picked that lens and the 55-250 for light travel. Great IQ and if I drop one in a river I'll just get another without a worry.

ddixon wrote:

I love the focal length but if someone is reading this and plans to get one be sure to check it out carefully during the return period, especially since the lens is slow enough that I shot with mine wide open or close to it 90% of the time. Mine also front focuses (and my crop cameras do not have MFA), and it's just not sharp in general. In fact, the kit lens that came with my SL1 is now my main travel lens because it's actually sharper than my 2010 vintage 15-85.

So, not all copies are great.

I agree that the 15- 85 is a great lens. Mine needed minor MFA on my 80d, but, on my SL-1, it front focuses badly enough on the wide end that I don't use it on that body. I don't like the size of it on the SL-1 either.

Yes.

Tom Stephenson wrote:

Perfect walk around lens for travel and landscape. Use my 50-250 and 10-18 only about 15% of the time.

I've been extremely impressed with my 15-85. It didn't need any MFA and is very sharp. My only regret is that I wish I bought it sooner.

Prior to this my main walk around lens was a Sigma 17-50. I always wanted more reach but kept it for about 6 years. I sold it about 6 months ago and got the 15-85 and have been very happy with my decision. Perfect walk around lens for my needs.

Yes, for an APSC camera it's a very nice lens.