Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

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Archive 2011 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

siambars
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p.1 #1 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

Coud you help me with an advice.... what is a better option Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC as an all purpose lens (let's say kit) for 500D. That's not for me - for my friend, but he asked me to choose as he is just starting his dSLR-practice. Another lens that he uses is 50mm 1.8
I never used both of that lenses. When I had 400D (now use FF) my all purpose lens was Tamron 17-50 non-VC.... It was decent. Nothing special, but It was sharp enough for me and with f2.8 that was good. Colors were not so good. People say the non-VC was better than VC version (more sharp).
I'm just confused a little about the choice of these two lenses. If some of you guys had the same puzzle with two of these options, let me know what have you chosen and why?

Thanks

Edited on Mar 31, 2011 at 04:22 PM · View previous versions

Mar 30, 2011 at 01:04 PM

reno.peterson
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p.1 #2 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

If limited to the 2 lenses you're asking about, I'm going with the 15-85 IS. Love the range. If he's just starting though, why is the 18-55 IS lens not a consideration. It's a great beginner lens, and it's perfomance is great. It doesn't cost a mint, and coupled with the 55-250 IS lens is a great starter kit...

Mar 30, 2011 at 01:25 PM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #3 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

the IQ of the 15-85 is great but its quite expensive. most of the 'kit' lenses are no slugs either so I would add the 18-135 or even 18-200 into the mix if a 1 lens 'system' was the choice.

the 3rd party route yeilds a little bit cheaper so dont over look the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 OS HSM .

Mar 30, 2011 at 01:32 PM

faremax
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p.1 #4 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

15-85 has a great range and IQ. Your friend will not be disappointed.

Mar 30, 2011 at 02:47 PM

siambars
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p.1 #5 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

reno.peterson wrote:
If limited to the 2 lenses you're asking about, I'm going with the 15-85 IS. Love the range. If he's just starting though, why is the 18-55 IS lens not a consideration. It's a great beginner lens, and it's perfomance is great. It doesn't cost a mint, and coupled with the 55-250 IS lens is a great starter kit...

No, 18-55 is not an option for him, as he uses now 50mm only and the gap between them will be to big to enjoy the lens... and by the way he saved enough money to invest them into something more decent....
One more detail.... I went today to the camera shop and tried 2 tamron's.... both of them have problems with focusing - quite noticeable front-focus.... Crap!

Mar 30, 2011 at 03:50 PM

reno.peterson
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p.1 #6 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

Thanks for the additional note...And coupled with your initial experience with the Tamron lenses, there's a bit better case for the Canon lens(es). And if f/2.8 is a necessity, maybe then look @ the possibility of the 17-55 IS...It's really that good...

Mar 30, 2011 at 04:09 PM

siambars
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p.1 #7 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

reno.peterson wrote:
Thanks for the additional note...And coupled with your initial experience with the Tamron lenses, there's a bit better case for the Canon lens(es). And if f/2.8 is a necessity, maybe then look @ the possibility of the 17-55 IS...It's really that good...

you are right, that's the very good performer, but much over the budget.... actually the budget was for Tamron first and was increased noticeably to have a chance to get 15-85, but 17-55 is too expensive for my friend..... and for the same money it's possible to get 24-105L that will be as good and maybe even better....

Mar 31, 2011 at 10:16 AM

rongoe
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p.1 #8 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

I'd much rather have a tamron 17-50 and canon 85 1.8 than a 15-85 for the same budget.

There's no such thing as an "all purpose" lens, unless one is willing to have subpar performance on some "purposes". Portraits w/ 85 at 5.6 vs. 1.8? No brainer for me.

I found the 17-50 non-vc to be spectacular on my 40D.

Mar 31, 2011 at 12:53 PM

rewin
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p.1 #9 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

I replaced my 18-55 kit with the 15-85, after much debate. I'd narrowed my upgrade down to the 15-85, 17-55, or Sigma 30. In the end I went with the 15-85 because it has the range, and the 17-55 was too pricey. Now, I'm finding that there are times when I'd prefer more control over DoF than I have, and I'm thinking again about adding the Sigma 30 to my lineup.

If he's happy with the focal length of the 50 for times when larger apertures are desired, then the 15-85 is a great choice. Otherwise, it would be worth reconsidering the Tamron.

Mar 31, 2011 at 03:32 PM

RogerC11
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p.1 #10 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

I wonder how many threads that pop up about "my friend needs advice" are really about a friend.

Mar 31, 2011 at 03:44 PM

siambars
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p.1 #11 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

actually after reading your posts I realized that 15-85 has only one weakness - it's to dark.... other parameters are excellent.... so maybe the dark 15-85 + bright 50/1.8 will do the job? 2.8 is good.... but in this case you have to pay much more or try to find the decent example of Tamron as they are so different.... I tried 2 with VC and both of them had noticeable front-focus. And even after getting one sharp, you'll not get really vivid Canon-lens colors and persistent high-speed AF. And by the way I use 24-105 with f4.... it's quite enough to me with my 5DII..... 2.8 is really better, but 4 is still ok.

Mar 31, 2011 at 03:59 PM

adamrose13
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p.1 #12 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

the 17-50 will be sharper and better in lower light indoor situations than the 15-85 but the 15-85 has more reach. the 15-85 is also a great lens but it depends on the situations.

if your friend plans on taking pictures inside temples in thailand the 17-50 would be best but if he is mostly an outdoor shooter than the 15-85 would be best.

Mar 31, 2011 at 03:59 PM

adamrose13
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p.1 #13 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

rewin wrote:
I replaced my 18-55 kit with the 15-85, after much debate. I'd narrowed my upgrade down to the 15-85, 17-55, or Sigma 30. In the end I went with the 15-85 because it has the range, and the 17-55 was too pricey. Now, I'm finding that there are times when I'd prefer more control over DoF than I have, and I'm thinking again about adding the Sigma 30 to my lineup.

If he's happy with the focal length of the 50 for times when larger apertures are desired, then the 15-85 is a great choice. Otherwise, it would be worth reconsidering the Tamron.

FYI,

the sigma 30 is an awesome lens if you find the right copy BUT in terms of DOF its not the best portrait lens but a great low light walk around.

Mar 31, 2011 at 04:01 PM

siambars
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p.1 #14 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

rogie wrote:
I wonder how many threads that pop up about "my friend needs advice" are really about a friend.

In any case, I will go ahead and also recommend the 17-50 over the 15-85. Not only cheaper, but also offers the constant 2.8 throughout the range. Like rongoe said, pick up a 85 1.8 used to reach into portrait territory with 1.8 ability.
50 1.8 is quite decent for portraits.... up to me 85 1.8 has nothing special about portraits.... I like 100/2 or 135/2 (if budget is not tight) a lot more

Mar 31, 2011 at 04:02 PM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #15 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

adamrose13 wrote:
the 17-50 will be sharper and better in lower light indoor situations than the 15-85 but the 15-85 has more reach. the 15-85 is also a great lens but it depends on the situations.

if your friend plans on taking pictures inside temples in thailand the 17-50 would be best but if he is mostly an outdoor shooter than the 15-85 would be best.

thats where the Sigma 17-70 comes in (at least at the wide end) its 2.8 . The new one has OS and HSM and its a fair nit less than 15-85 . also the new Sig 18-50 OS is meant to be pretty decent . again that has HSM

The only issue with Sigma is getting one thats good on the AF front. but once youv'e gone thru a couple and found a good one they are great

Mar 31, 2011 at 04:09 PM

siambars
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p.1 #16 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

actually my brother has Sigma 17-70 and I liked it more than my Tamron non-VC for its colors....

Mar 31, 2011 at 04:16 PM

faremax
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p.1 #17 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

siambars wrote:
actually after reading your posts I realized that 15-85 has only one weakness - it's to dark.... other parameters are excellent.... so maybe the dark 15-85 + bright 50/1.8 will do the job?

I did not recommend any other lens or a combination because your friend has 50 1.8 which will be great for low-light and portraits. I've never used Tamron but I did side by side of 15-85 and 17-55 f/2.8 and their IQ is virtually identical. To me at least, because I could not tell the difference. So when somebody says that Tamron will be sharper I seriously doubt that statement and their experience with 15-85. Check TDP and tell me which one you think is sharper.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=675&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=398&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Mar 31, 2011 at 04:40 PM

Gia.Public
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p.1 #18 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

One more vote for 15-85. I did try 17-70 and was not impressed at all, might had bad copy, but i returned it back 3 days later and got 15-85. No comparison: great IQ, sharp, fast AF, IS - very happy with it.

Mar 31, 2011 at 04:50 PM

EOS20
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p.1 #19 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

I have the 15-85 IS and it offers a good zoom range, good autofocus performance and the IS is very effective. I've also had the 18-135 IS which is also another good general walkabout lens, although it doesn't autofocus as fast as the 15-85 IS (It's fast, but not as fast as the 15-85 with the USM). The only thing I don't like from the 15-85 IS is the vignetting (Even when using the auto lighting optimiser feature) when shooting wide open.

Mar 31, 2011 at 08:23 PM

siambars
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p.1 #20 · Canon 15-85 or Tamron 17-50 VC

EOS20 wrote:
I have the 15-85 IS and it offers a good zoom range, good autofocus performance and the IS is very effective. I've also had the 18-135 IS which is also another good general walkabout lens, although it doesn't autofocus as fast as the 15-85 IS (It's fast, but not as fast as the 15-85 with the USM). The only thing I don't like from the 15-85 IS is the vignetting (Even when using the auto lighting optimiser feature) when shooting wide open.

Is the vignetting feature really so bad? I never mentioned that with my 24-105+FF set, and I guess it should be worse or same than 15-85 and Crop. I should even say I like the effect of dark corners and do even some more vignetting while postproduction.... Not always of course.....

Apr 01, 2011 at 08:09 AM

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