Canon 17-55 f/2.8 vs 15-85 f/3.5-5.6

[Aznshadow85]

Hey everyone.

I'm looking at these two lenses and trying to determine which is a better general purpose lens to get.

Canon 17-55mm f/2.8
Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6

If anyone has either or both of these lenses, I would greatly appreciate your input.

Thanks

[Mitsu3000gt]

They are fairly different lenses, it would help to know what you most often take pictures of most often. Are you looking for a 1 lens solution?

The 17-55/2.8 is better optically, and the constant F2.8 aperture is a nice bonus. Build quality is about the same, and the 17-55 has a notoriously unreliable image stabilization system (as high as 25% failure rate in the past according to Lens Rentals, though this may have improved on newer build dates). Both lenses extend while zooming.

The 15-85 gets you slightly wider on the wide end, significantly longer on the long end, but has a slow variable aperture and image quality is not as good.

So, do you want more of a one lens solution and shoot mostly in daylight, or do you value better IQ and the F2.8 option more?

If it were me I'd get the 17-55 and hope Canon has fixed the IS issue, since their warranty is only 1 year. If you don't want to add a second lens, the 15-85 may appeal to you more with the extra range if your usage is more casual.

[89coupe]

I own the 17-55 2.8.

Awesome lens, absolutley love it!

Best purchase I have ever made in regards to camera equipment.

[AccentAE86]

Haven't used the 15-85, but love my 17-55; it is optically amazing. If you turn IS off, and only turn it on when you actually need it, it will last forever. I also have the 24-105L and have had 7 copies of the 24-70L. The 17-55 is my favourite of the three. It's hard NOT to be happy about that lens.

[Aznshadow85]

Thanks for the reply guys.

I am looking for a 1 lens solution to an extent. My actual goal is 1 normal lens and 1 prime. For the prime I'm probably going to get the Sigma 30mm 1.4. Do you guys think that paired with the 17-55 is a good combo? The photos I mainly take are people, groups, car shots and some landscape.

I don't plan to own too many lenses which is the reason i'm inquiring about this. Photography will be casual/hobby but since i'm spending the money, i thought might as well get a good combo. Thoughts?

[taemo]

if you are planning on pairing it up with the sigma 30 (which is a fantastic all-around prime lens) then I would say get the 15-85mm.
for my shooting style (and what you are describing) I would prefer a more versatile focal length than a constant 2.8 aperture.
also on crop, there's huge difference between 15mm (24mm) vs 17mm (28mm) and the 85mm is a nice reach to have when needed.

but if you operate in low light quite a bit, don't want to shoot at ISO800+ and don't use a flash then maybe the f2.8 will be more beneficial to you, even then I would rather use a fast prime than a tele zoom in low light