Comments on: Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3. 5-5. 6 IS USM UD Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html Your Digital SLR resource Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:18:04 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Gene Naftulyev http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-116 Gene Naftulyev Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:47:14 +0000 http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html#comment-116 This lens is the perfect walkabout lens covering 23-135 with the 1. 6 factor. Distortion is at a minimum, and although not a fast lens, the IS makes even hand held shots sharp. The downside of this lens is that both in sunlight, and in studio flash conditions chromatic aberration (purple/green fringe) is evident in all shots. Granted it is less pronounced than with the cheap kit lens (for the 7D) but none the less at 1:1 resolution there is chromatic aberration in every shot where dark and bright come together in high contrast. The Canon software that comes with DSLRs does a very good job of removing the fringe from photos, however that means unlike Nikon's in-camera processing of the image to remove fringe, an extra manual step of doing that on the Canon is necessary for any images that are more than casual snapshots. If you want 1 lens for a very wide to slight tele range, this is probably the best thing available for 1. 6 crop factor. However even if the price is near L lenses, this is not an L lens and it will be apparent when zooming in 1:1. Rating: 4 / 5 This lens is the perfect walkabout lens covering 23-135 with the 1. 6 factor.

Distortion is at a minimum, and although not a fast lens, the IS makes even hand held shots sharp.

The downside of this lens is that both in sunlight, and in studio flash conditions chromatic aberration (purple/green fringe) is evident in all shots. Granted it is less pronounced than with the cheap kit lens (for the 7D) but none the less at 1:1 resolution there is chromatic aberration in every shot where dark and bright come together in high contrast.

The Canon software that comes with DSLRs does a very good job of removing the fringe from photos, however that means unlike Nikon’s in-camera processing of the image to remove fringe, an extra manual step of doing that on the Canon is necessary for any images that are more than casual snapshots.

If you want 1 lens for a very wide to slight tele range, this is probably the best thing available for 1. 6 crop factor. However even if the price is near L lenses, this is not an L lens and it will be apparent when zooming in 1:1.

Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Trevor S. Howard http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-115 Trevor S. Howard Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:11:03 +0000 http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html#comment-115 I was one of the early fans of this lens, and to my knowledge, one of the first guys to get their hands on one and play with it, from the moment I held this lens, I knew she was a winner Lets start with the build quality, its fantastic, ok its not quite L-level, but it is considerably better than the old 17-55 f/2. 8 IS I owned, as in its put together much better, the build is similar to a midrange Nikon lens [Such as the 16-85 VR] which is a good thing, the zoom and focus rings both operate smoothly, but are also reassuringly firm, there is a slight bit of zoom creep between 24-35 I've found, but nothing major to worry about AF-wise, its a very quick performer, probubly one of the faster USM lenses out there, and its also very quiet, even for a USM lens the soft noise is well. . softer. . . and the IS functions completely silently and smoothly, and as advertised, its good for at least 4 stops of stabilization, I've managed 1/4 shots with ease at 85mm for instance. . . Optically, this lens impresses, people may criticize its variable aperture nature but its tack sharp wide open, even at 15mm, distortions are very good [They test even less than the 24-105 f/4L on a full frame camera] and the colors have a very nice zest to them, The only down side is the chromatic aberration, which is a tidge high, but its also easily correctable from what I've seen, and certainly not as bad as some people would make it sound, overall I've been very impressed with this lens optically, its one of the best lenses I've had [And I've owned the 24-105 f/4L IS and the 17-55 f/2. 8 IS] and its my favorite walk-around lens ever My only other complaints are the fact that it should include a hood for the price, Canon is still the only manufacturer who forces you to buy $45 lens hoods for $700-800 lenses just because they're not an L lens. . . Its quite annoying to be honest. . but again, I knew that going into this. . Overall, its a fantastic lens, don't mock it till you try it :) Rating: 5 / 5 I was one of the early fans of this lens, and to my knowledge, one of the first guys to get their hands on one and play with it, from the moment I held this lens, I knew she was a winner

Lets start with the build quality, its fantastic, ok its not quite L-level, but it is considerably better than the old 17-55 f/2. 8 IS I owned, as in its put together much better, the build is similar to a midrange Nikon lens [Such as the 16-85 VR] which is a good thing, the zoom and focus rings both operate smoothly, but are also reassuringly firm, there is a slight bit of zoom creep between 24-35 I’ve found, but nothing major to worry about

AF-wise, its a very quick performer, probubly one of the faster USM lenses out there, and its also very quiet, even for a USM lens the soft noise is well. . softer. . . and the IS functions completely silently and smoothly, and as advertised, its good for at least 4 stops of stabilization, I’ve managed 1/4 shots with ease at 85mm for instance. . .

Optically, this lens impresses, people may criticize its variable aperture nature but its tack sharp wide open, even at 15mm, distortions are very good [They test even less than the 24-105 f/4L on a full frame camera] and the colors have a very nice zest to them, The only down side is the chromatic aberration, which is a tidge high, but its also easily correctable from what I’ve seen, and certainly not as bad as some people would make it sound, overall I’ve been very impressed with this lens optically, its one of the best lenses I’ve had [And I've owned the 24-105 f/4L IS and the 17-55 f/2. 8 IS] and its my favorite walk-around lens ever

My only other complaints are the fact that it should include a hood for the price, Canon is still the only manufacturer who forces you to buy $45 lens hoods for $700-800 lenses just because they’re not an L lens. . . Its quite annoying to be honest. . but again, I knew that going into this. .

Overall, its a fantastic lens, don’t mock it till you try it :)
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: AH http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-114 AH Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:05:17 +0000 http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html#comment-114 So I picked up this lens because I wanted something that would give me more range. Overall this is a decent lens. Only issue I had with this lens is that it is slower being a variable f3. 5-5, so because of this the indoor shots didn't come out as sharp. You will have to use a higher ISO for low light conditions. If you intend to take a lot of pictures indoors or in low light situations, I would probably recommend the 17-55 f2. 8. However for outdoor daylight shooting, I do like the flexibility of this lens. It gives you a very wide angle when you need it and gives you enough reach for most situations. If you are casual outdoor photographer I would recommend this lens. This lens is a step up from the kit lens that comes with the T1i. However the price tag is a bit high for what you get. Rating: 4 / 5 So I picked up this lens because I wanted something that would give me more range. Overall this is a decent lens. Only issue I had with this lens is that it is slower being a variable f3. 5-5, so because of this the indoor shots didn’t come out as sharp. You will have to use a higher ISO for low light conditions. If you intend to take a lot of pictures indoors or in low light situations, I would probably recommend the 17-55 f2. 8. However for outdoor daylight shooting, I do like the flexibility of this lens. It gives you a very wide angle when you need it and gives you enough reach for most situations. If you are casual outdoor photographer I would recommend this lens. This lens is a step up from the kit lens that comes with the T1i. However the price tag is a bit high for what you get.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Mohit http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-113 Mohit Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:12:29 +0000 http://www.digiprocam.com/canon-ef-s-15-85mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-ud-wide-angle-zoom-lens-for-canon-digital-slr-cameras-2.html#comment-113 If you have to pick one high-quality walk-around lens for your Canon APS-C (1. 6x) dSLR, this is it. I debated between this one and the Canon 17-55m f/2. 8 IS; the additional range won over (the extra 2mm on the wide end helps noticeably, and longer telephoto reach is nice too), and being 25% cheaper didn't hurt. The big advantage of the other lens' f2. 8 max aperture could be important to some. I shoot a decent bit of video and don't mind the smaller aperture for a little more latitude in focusing errors; even my stills are rarely shot below f5. 6, though I do have other lenses to cover other needs (50mm f/1. 4 USM and 70-200 f/2. 8L IS). Coupled with the EOS 7D, this lens is perfect as a fairly compact and very capable kit. Images are sharp and colorful, focusing is quick. Build quality feels solid. No issues at all! Why 4 stars only then? Dunno, found it hard to give 5 stars when I compare it with my faster L lenses, even though those are much more expensive. Guess it's an absolute rating scale for me :) Rating: 4 / 5 If you have to pick one high-quality walk-around lens for your Canon APS-C (1. 6x) dSLR, this is it. I debated between this one and the Canon 17-55m f/2. 8 IS; the additional range won over (the extra 2mm on the wide end helps noticeably, and longer telephoto reach is nice too), and being 25% cheaper didn’t hurt. The big advantage of the other lens’ f2. 8 max aperture could be important to some. I shoot a decent bit of video and don’t mind the smaller aperture for a little more latitude in focusing errors; even my stills are rarely shot below f5. 6, though I do have other lenses to cover other needs (50mm f/1. 4 USM and 70-200 f/2. 8L IS).

Coupled with the EOS 7D, this lens is perfect as a fairly compact and very capable kit. Images are sharp and colorful, focusing is quick. Build quality feels solid. No issues at all!

Why 4 stars only then? Dunno, found it hard to give 5 stars when I compare it with my faster L lenses, even though those are much more expensive. Guess it’s an absolute rating scale for me :)
Rating: 4 / 5

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