17-40L or 15-85 EF-S??

• Green Meanie

  Participant

  January 4, 2011 at 10:30 am

  Hi,

  After the demise of my 10-22 lens I need something to cover the wide aspect of the focal range. The 17-40 f4 and the 15-85 are both similarly priced and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on it.

  I know the 17-40 will be better built but I don’t plan on going full frame anythime soon. I have a 50 1.4 and a 70-200 so you can see what is required. Body is a 7D

  Link to comparison

  http://www.canon.ie/for_home/compare_products/loadcomparator.asp?prod=3560B005AA;8806A003AA;&lang=UK&country=CE&dir=/for_home/product_finder/cameras/ef_lenses/zoom_lenses/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;

  Thanks,
  John.
  richiehatch

  Member

  January 13, 2011 at 7:15 am

  I’ll give ye a lend of the 17-40 if ye want to try it for a week…????

  Richie
  Green Meanie

  Participant

  January 13, 2011 at 8:43 am

  Cheers Richie,

  I was actually undecided when I put this post up but in the meantime have decided that I needed me head examined!

  17-40L all the way, no need for a test drive, but thanks for the de offer.

  John.
  richiehatch

  Member

  January 13, 2011 at 9:52 pm

  Good choice…! Mine is tack sharp and generally a great lens to use.

  Richie
  Allenc873

  Participant

  September 20, 2013 at 1:42 am

  Green Meanie wrote:

  Cheers Richie,

  I was actually undecided when I put this post up but in the meantime have decided that I needed me head examined!

  17-40L all the way, no need for a test drive, but thanks for the de offer.

  John.

  Hi I know this is an old post but just saw it now, I was deciding on a new lens to buy and was deciding between the same 2 lenses and have now decided to go with the 15-85mm and I am getting it in the next week, now you have me thinking have I made the right decision lol I mean from what I have read IQ on both lenses are very close 17-40 slightly has it but not by much and obviously better build seeing as its an L, but 15-85 seems like the better choice for crop body, if your not going to be changing to FF soon. More of an all round lens good build varied aperture but doesn’t bother me, why did u say you need your head examined lol ? do u know something I don’t.. how are you finding the lens anyway ? do you have a link where I can see images you have taken with it?
  jodal1975

  Participant

  September 21, 2013 at 1:35 pm

  i have the 15-85 …its a great walk around lens and sharp too ! it covers a nice range from wide angle to portrait with ease…….most people using the 17-40 are using it for landscape , so would very rarely be using f4 or anything near it anyway. the 17-40 is a slightly better lens in all aspects but the 15-85 more than makes up for it in the extra mm for both wide and long focal length