Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

jtmiv
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

Dear Board,

I had the lens when I owned a 20D and a 40D and I was pleased with the results. It was my walk around lens for landscapes and people. Especially when on vacation and visiting family.

But I sold both cameras and moved onto shooting more wildlife and birds. The lens went shortly thereafter.

But now I shoot a lot with a 7D that I love. I want another one lens solution for it and I am wondering if the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is still worth using or should I look for something else?

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA :-)

Nov 26, 2022 at 09:36 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

TDP tested the 15-85 on a 7D II. It's actually pretty good.

EBH

Nov 26, 2022 at 09:47 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

I think it would be a good choice, it did well on the opticallimits test, and Canon doesn't seem to have come out newer lens that is better. Maybe STM version 18-135? The opticallimits test touched on potential sample variation type issues and the lens did better at the wide end. The test roughly corresponds with what I have read on here

https://www.opticallimits.com/canon-eos/465-canon_1585_3556is?start=1

15mm is noticeably wider than 17-18mm, 24mm ff equivalent vs ~28mm. Used the 18-135 IS at one point, and liked it, use 18-55 & 55-250 STM these days. Probably a bit better performance than 18-135 IS and much better at the long end including excellent zoom macro. A couple more options to consider, possibly adding 55-250 to the 15-85

Edited on Nov 28, 2022 at 10:15 AM · View previous versions

Nov 27, 2022 at 06:21 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

I originally used the EF-S 15-85IS on 60D and T2i. I found it to be at least as good optically as the EF 24-105L, with a wider focal range for travel. I took it on a cruise to Alaska and got great pictures. I've even used the 15-85 a bit on Sony a7R4's 61MP sensor (cropped and FF, with Sigma MC-11 adapter) with terrific results, and I trust it would work well on R5 from Canon. I need to give it a spin on the R, via EF-RF adapter.

The 60D is gone, but I kept the 15-85. I also currently have the newer 18-135 IS (decent, to good lens) and the 10-22 (excellent lens) for 20D and T3i as my "rugged set" for when I don't want to damage my better gear out in the elements (rain, etc.).

The 10-22 and 15-85 makes a great travel set of L-type lens quality on a budget.

Nov 28, 2022 at 08:49 AM

Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

I purchased the 15-85 back with my 40D and combined with a 100-400 made an excellent cropped combination. Comparing the 15-85 on the 40D to my 24-105 L on the 5D, the L lens is a bit better but the 15-85 held its own. My wife used it for many years on APS-C while I used full frame. After the 40D, the lens was too heavy for an SL1 or 2 but worked really well on the 77D. It has given us a lot of nice images. It also takes nice images on my 80 and 90D but I mostly use APS-C for reach, hence a 100-400.

I think it would be an excellent addition to a 7D.

Nov 28, 2022 at 01:01 PM

racoll
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

I used the 15-85 on both my 7D and frequently on my 7D2. It still is one of my favorite Canon lenses.

Andy

Nov 28, 2022 at 04:27 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

It's a good lens. I had one back in the 60D days. It gets out to an effective 24mm FOV, something that most standard crop zooms cannot do.

Nov 28, 2022 at 07:34 PM

Z250SA
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

The second used copy I tried is a keeper despite the loud clonk. The first copy was clonkless but mushy to the left. Did not want to pay the full price for a lens that I use on those special trips that might go deep wet fast.

I regret not getting the lens much earlier as it did fine even on the 24Mp 2000D and now does equally well adapted on the R10.

As you know the lens is rather heavy for its size. Especially compared to the new RF 24-105 STM. If you plan to switch to mirrorless in a near future, the 15-85 adapted to the lightish RF bodies is very front heavy.

I hope Canon some day makes a RF 15-85 STM. I would not hesitate to pay for a new one this time around!

Nov 29, 2022 at 07:08 AM

ct1co2
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM still a viable lens on a 7D

I bought the 15-85 when I was using an Xsi, then it continued on the 70D and then 7D2. The IQ of my copy is excellent, and for me, the extra few mm on the wide end were more valuable than extra reach, so I stayed with it over moving to the well regarded 18-135. It accompanied me on many storm chasing adventures, family vacations, and just out and about. I have several nice prints in my home office that came from that lens. It sat unused for a couple years when I moved to the R6, but it was a no-brainer to now use it adapted to the R7 vs. one of the current RF aps-c lenses.

I’d gladly welcome a RF 15-85!

Nov 29, 2022 at 08:10 AM


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