Walkaround backpacking lens.

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andyjaggy82
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p.1 #1 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

I am looking for a general purpose walk around lens with a larger range than my 17-40.

The Canon 24-70 would be nice, but I'm on a crop camera so it wouldn't be quite wide enough.

I am intrigued by the Sigma 17-70, that's about the perfect range for me.

Canon makes the 17-55, but I would like something with just a touch more range.

The Canon 15-85 has a fantastic range, but again I am concerned with quality.

I am interested in all of your opinions. Any other options I am missing?

Jan 22, 2013 at 06:12 PM

danh920
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p.1 #2 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

I used a 24-105 on my 60D for about 95% of the time I owned it, I cant recommend a better walk around lens for the price and performance

Jan 22, 2013 at 06:19 PM

dwweiche
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p.1 #3 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

What are your quality concerns with the EF-S 15-85?

It's probably the best choice considering your comments about range, and IQ is very good. It just is a bit slow on the long end, but nothing comes without trade-offs.

Jan 22, 2013 at 06:20 PM

erikburd
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p.1 #4 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

The 15-85 would be a better bet if you really need the wider angle. The IQ is very good based on what I've heard. There's also the EF-S 18-135, which also might work for you.

Jan 22, 2013 at 07:07 PM

andyjaggy82
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p.1 #5 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

That's what I need to know. I was just worried that since it had such a large range, 15-85, that it would be pretty inferior in the IQ department.

Jan 22, 2013 at 07:14 PM

Massimo Foti
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p.1 #6 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

I would also suggest the 15-85, it provides great IQ.

Of course it's variable aperture and, giving its speed, I prefer to use something different indoor. Apart from those, indeed pretty obvious, limitations, I am sure you are going to love it.

Jan 22, 2013 at 07:32 PM

RobDickinson
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p.1 #7 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

Nothing wrong with the 15-85's quality, overall its better than the 17-55 afik, just not constant aperture.

Jan 22, 2013 at 07:37 PM

dogwater
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p.1 #8 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

How about considering the Tamron 18-270? Very compact and lightweight. f3.5-6.3 and about $600. This is my hiking camera.

Jan 22, 2013 at 07:45 PM

andyjaggy82
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p.1 #9 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

It's nice to hear that it's even better IQ wise than the 17-55. I don't really care about constant aperture in this case. So long as it's sharp at f8 and f11, that's mostly all I care about.

Any experience with how it compares to the 17-40 on the wide end?

Jan 22, 2013 at 07:54 PM

StillFingerz
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p.1 #10 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

The 15-85 is a great bit of glass, rented one for a week mid last year and loved the lens. It's quality, IQ, AF speed, color/contrast and sharpness are as good as my 10-22. The lens has some minor distortion at both ends but is easy to correct if needed. On a crop body it gives you 24-135mm and that covers a good bit of ground.

I didn't buy the lens as I usually carry a three lens kit most always. The 17-40, 100L and 70-200 f4L IS, it's not a light weight kit but works, sits on my lap. In my walking days it was an A-1, 24 f2, 35-105 and 80-200; with a few extension tubes...and too many rolls of Kodachrome...the 35-105 got the least use on a daylight walkabout

I've wondered how well those 18-250/270 zooms perform...would be a nice light weight option.

Jerry

Jan 22, 2013 at 08:04 PM

RobDickinson
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p.1 #11 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

I liked the 18-135 STM. Not as good as the 15-85 but nice and solid feel good range and decent IQ.

Jan 22, 2013 at 08:13 PM

shutterlove
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p.1 #12 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

I have been using the Sigma 17-70 for 4 years now, I have no complaints with it, and the
new version now has IS. It is a nice range, good for landscapes and it has the semi-macro feature (at least the one I bought did), I love it. And it is not too heavy.
Hope this helps.

Jan 22, 2013 at 08:59 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #13 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

15-85 IS!

It's absolutely fantastic. Especially at f/8 on the long end and f/5.6 on the short. Really, it looks good wide open too.

I'd say the 17-55 is slight better IQ and certainly build, but it's a big, heavy lens. The 15-85 is light and fun to haul around all day.Great range.

Just do it, and you can thank us later.

Jan 22, 2013 at 09:13 PM

Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #14 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

andyjaggy82 wrote:
Any experience with how it compares to the 17-40 on the wide end?

Here compare for yourself. The 15-85 looks better than the 17-40 on 60D in the first few comparisons I tried.

Jan 22, 2013 at 09:14 PM

andyjaggy82
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p.1 #15 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

It looks like the 15-85 is the winner. Anyone want to buy a used 17-40.

Jan 22, 2013 at 09:23 PM

bkhorii
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p.1 #16 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

Another vote for the 15-85 IS. The old 17-85 IS had so-so quality, but the 15-85 is great. Unless I need the speed or bokeh of the 24-70 at 2.8, 15-85 is what I go to. It might just be my style, but I often carry along a 10-22 "just in case," but very rarely find a scene that needs wider than 15.

Jan 22, 2013 at 09:28 PM

WesN
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p.1 #17 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

The 15-85 is my walkaround lens for my 7D, and I realy like this lens for that purpose.

Here is the photzone review:

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/465-canon_1585_3556is?start=2

Wes N.

Jan 23, 2013 at 01:58 AM

helenica
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p.1 #18 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

I used a 15-85 as a walk around lens in Iceland and was pleased with the results. Also not too heavy. http://www.helenica.nl/iceland.html

Jan 23, 2013 at 08:05 AM

robbymack
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p.1 #19 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

If your going to shoot at f8 and smaller most of the time just pick the lens that gives you the range you want at the price you want. The 15-85 is a good one, as is the 17-55, even the super zooms like the 18-200 would give you pretty good results at that aperture range.

Jan 23, 2013 at 02:42 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #20 · Walkaround backpacking lens.

Wes -- Thanks for the review and your thoughts. I looked at the sample images and your copy seems to have a lot more CA than mine, and is generally softer focus and lower contrast too. What CA my lens has cleans up in LR, but it's not bad except on the sides and mainly at the widest end.

I agree with your general findings though.

Mine was purchased used in excellent condition for $600 on eBay, but due to a small mark I found on the front element, I got the lens for $500, which I consider a very good price for the quality and features. Lens hood was extra, but small cost, being aftermarket from HK.

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:24 PM

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