EF-S 15-85mm on 450D

[Togmeister]

Has anybody any comments on the balance of an EF-S 15-85mm on a Canon 450D? I've seen many favourable reviews for this lens, and I'm thinking of upgrading my 18-55 kit lens. However some reviews seem to imply that the 15-85 doesn't feel right on entry-level cameras, and I'm not thinking of upgrading at present. Any advice would be helpful.

[matt wilson]

guess the only way to find out is to pop somewhere and try it .Any decent store will allow that .Take a few shots and review them at home before buying .I am lucky in having a small independent place that allows just that.They even let me wander around outside for an hour with the lens (I offered to leave my driving license and bank card and they declined ).........then undercut Jessops on price and added a filter.

[anglefire]

I did the same thing when I looked at a MkIII at WEX in Norwich - wandered around outside the store with a MkIII and 50mm f1.2 attached! Something like £3500!

Mind you I suspect there were cameras outside and inside the store!

[Markulous]

Hmmm, can't really think why it wouldn't be OK on an entry level - got mine for my 7D but I could try it on the 350/20/30/40Ds, I guess. Better still, I'll lend it to you if you're anywhere near the Peak District.

TBH, not really used it very much but it seems to produce pretty OK shots!

[Togmeister]

Thanks for the kind offer Markulous, but I'm not planning to be in the Peak District in the near future.

[Togmeister]

Thanks for the advice guys. Having checked things out as suggested I finally bit the bullet and bought the EF-S 15-85 for my 450D. It is heavier than the kit lens but certainly not unmanageable, it will just take a little getting used to. Initial test shots are sharp, but I need to take more shots to try out it's full potential.

[Togmeister]

I must say I am very pleased with the first real test of this lens on the 450D. Shots were very crisp and because I was on a Devon beach in that wonderful spell of weather in mid-March the results were also very colourful. Looking forward to more great results as the weather improves.
Togmeister

[Togmeister]

Having now had this lens for some time, I must say I am delighted with the results. The range is extremely useful and the results are very sharp. I have this lens on my camera much of the time. I only wish that Canon would produce a longer telephoto to the same quality.
Togmeister

[wavemachine]

I have to agree with you, bought that lens with my 7D and love it.

I had a Tamron 17-270mm which I originally bought for my 40D, I found it was okay but to much of a compromise at the wide end and maximum zoom with image quality, I sold that and got a 70 - 200mm F4L which is stunning.

I know canon do a 18-135mm but I have heard that is nowhere near as good as the 15-85mm so I guess if you want a better range without compromising image quality you would probably need to carry two lenses the cheapest option I reckon would be to get the Canon 55mm to 250mm IS it is not outrageously expensive and is nice and sharp.

[Markandrew]

A bit late now but it was a good choice, i used that combination for ages and was well pleased with results.
Trouble is you always want to improve, and trust me the next step up is serious money.
Mark