Quote Originally Posted by tk303


I was just hoping for more of a difference like this:


http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-15-85mm-f-3.5-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Comparisons.aspx


If you scroll down to the 17mm test at f4 there is a huge difference between the two lenses.


I think you're seeing a similar difference between your lenses, actually. Bryan's test scenes have more fine detail and harsh contrasts than your bookshel and gumball machine - the detail and contrast accentuates the differences between the lenses. What's also evident in your images that Bryan's comparison doesn't show is that the 17-55mm also delivers better color than the 17-85mm.