Is the Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens a Hidden Bargain?

If you could have ever puzzled if an older lens can nonetheless ship fine quality photographs on more moderen cameras, you might be about to get your solution. The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens has been retested on fashionable tools, revealing how this vintage plays nowadays.

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this informative video explores why the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 lens stays intriguing, even if it is not in manufacturing. The lens covers a extremely sensible zoom differ identical to 24 to 136mm on a complete body digicam, providing you with spectacular flexibility for landscapes, commute, and on a regular basis capturing. Frost issues out how this actual zoom differ is not readily matched by means of more moderen APS-C Canon lenses. Additionally, its well-established popularity for very good sharpness—frequently in comparison to Canon’s higher-end L sequence—makes it particularly interesting. If you might be bearing in mind budget-friendly however fine quality lenses, Frost highlights that discovering this lens is usually a authentic discount.

Another important facet Frost discusses is the lens’s optical and construct traits. He assessments the lens at the Canon EOS R7, which packs a tough 32.5-megapixel APS-C sensor. Despite being built basically of plastic standard of mid-range lenses from its technology, it feels powerful and balanced in use. The ultrasonic motor (USM) autofocus device is significantly swift and quiet, dealing with speedy and correct center of attention even on tailored mirrorless setups. However, Frost notes some barriers in video paintings, in particular relating to its symbol stabilization, which gives best average effectiveness, and noticeable center of attention respiring all the way through filming. These insights are treasured in case you steadily transfer between images and video.

Key Specs

• Focal Length: 15-85mm (24-136mm identical)

• Aperture Range: f/3.5-5.6 to f/22-36

• Lens Mount: Canon EF-S

• Minimum Focus Distance: 1.15′ / 35 cm

• Image Stabilization: Yes

• Optical Design: 17 Elements in 12 Groups

• Autofocus Motor: Ultrasonic Motor (USM)

• Maximum Magnification: 0.21x

• Filter Size: 72mm

• Dimensions: 3.21″ diameter, 3.44″ period

• Weight: 1.27 lb (575 g)

Frost supplies thorough insights into the picture high quality you’ll be expecting from the lens. At wider focal lengths, sharpness within the heart is spectacular, or even corners carry out adequately, particularly when rather stopped down. Zooming to 85mm, the corners do melt extra noticeably, and distinction drops quite. Frost additionally emphasizes how distortion and vignetting on the widest perspective (15mm) are important, however those problems in large part unravel at narrower zoom settings. Importantly, he notes how the lens plays commendably properly towards vibrant gentle assets for a lens of its age, with minimum flare problems. Check out the video above for the total rundown from Frost.