John is right. For portraits, you don't want a slow lens.


A "general purpose lens" is about compromises. You have to give up something. Given that you shoot landscapes and portraits an rarely use the long end of the lens you have, the superior IQ and speed of the 17-55 will matter more than the reach.


No, the 17-55 isn't an ideal portrait lens (for that, you want a fast prime or longer zoom). But IMO it will do better than the 15-85.