Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs. Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens

I've read the reviews here - and for the 17-85mm it is said getting a blurred background is hard at 85mm at f5.6 - while in the 15-85mm review it says 85mm f5.6 gets great shots...so is the extra money for the 15-85mm worth it or are they the same quality minus a little wider angle?





Thanks,


Nathan

The 17-85 is much softer, has more chromatic aberration, an older IS system. Check this comparison at 50mm, mouse over the image (or the arrow above it) to see the 17-85 results. And this comparison at 24mm really shows quite a big quality difference.


Also, using the flare comparison tool, the 15-85mm comes out ahead. Finally, the distortion test favours the 15-85mm slightly too.


In other words, the 15-85mm improves every optical aspect of the lens over the 17-85mm.

Ok, thanks - that is very helpful!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sungkhum

for the 17-85mm it is said getting a blurred background is hard at 85mm at f5.6

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Yes, it's hard because it wont blur much unless the focus distance is close and the background is far. (Equally true for both lenses.) An 85mm focal length with f/2.8, f/1.8, or f/1.2 would do a lot better at giving you control over background blur. But the only way to get f/2.8 is to trade a lot of zoom range for it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sungkhum

is the extra money for the 15-85mm worth it or are they the same quality minus a little wider angle?

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Definitely worth it, in my opinion.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sungkhum

so is the extra money for the 15-85mm worth it or are they the same quality minus a little wider angle?

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Optically, the 17-85mm is a mid-range consumer zoom, while the 15-85mm is one of the small handful of EF-S lenses that deliver optical quality close or equal to many L-series lenses (the others are the EF-S 17-55mm and the EF-S 10-22mm).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sungkhum

for the 17-85mm it is said getting a blurred background is hard at 85mm at f5.6

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As Daniel points out, this is hard with any lens at 85mm f/5.6, not just the 17-85mm. The primary determinant of background/OOF blur is aperture (subject distance and focal length are also factors, but they tend to cancel each other out, e.g. to frame the same shot at a longer focal length, you need to be further away). If you picked out that particular statement because you are looking to use the lens for portraits, that's not an optimal use for the 15-85mm zoom, and you might want to consider the 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8 instead.

Getting nice bokeh won

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by sungkhum

I've been eying the 85mm for portraits for a while now.

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It's a great choice! Here are some samples at 85mm on APS-C/1.6x:
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/5047278975/in/set-72157624462568231/lightbox/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/...a1a88f0d_z.jpg[/url]
Rebel T1i, EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, 1/2000 s, f/1.8, ISO 100


[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/5047278975/in/set-72157624462568231/lightbox/][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/5036879564/in/set-72157624462568231/lightbox/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/...447efa1d_z.jpg[/url]
EOS 7D, EF 85mm f/1.2<span class="bbc_color"]<span style="color: #ff0000;"]LII USM, 1/1250 s, f/1.6, ISO 100</div>

Also don

I have a rebel t2i - would you recommend the 85mm or the 50mm 1.4? I have heard some say the 85mm is too close up for a lot of shots, but it also seems to be really sharp which is what I'm after. I already have the 50mm 1.8 and I love it, but I'm looking for the next step up.


50mm on the t2i is like 80mm on a full sensor, so is it really a better choice when it comes to portraits? The 85mm is like 136mm on a 1.6 crop sensor...which seems it really would limit the situations it could be used in.

The EF 135mm f/2L is a great portrait lens (on FF). The

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neuroanatomist

You also mention sharpness. While both the 50/1.4 and the 85/1.8 are sharp stopped down, the 85/1.8 is much sharper wide open (where you'd likely be for portraits).

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+1 on John's comment here. I have a 7D and used to have the 50 f/1.4 and now have the 85 f/1.8. The 50 was hit or miss at f/2.5 and wider and I sold it out of frustration. The 85 is stellar even at f/1.8 so long as you have a fast enough shutter (for my hands, I prefer at least 1/160s). Even if the 50 is a better focal length for your needs, I'd try hard to make the 85 work. Unless of course the 50 f/1.2 is in your budget. [:)]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thekingb

+1 on John's comment here. I have a 7D and used to have the 50 f/1.4 and now have the 85 f/1.8. The 50 was hit or miss at f/2.5 and wider and I sold it out of frustration.

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That is totally helpful - exactly what I was wondering. I'm all about sharp pictures (the kit lenses are driving me nuts, but my funds are quite limited). I'll put the 85mm on the list!


Thanks!