Is it really worth it?

[Jaiger]

I'm thinkinkg about upgrading my 18-55mm kit lens to the 15-85mm lens. I find myself sometimes wanting/needing a slightly wider angle for my landscape shots. And of course more reach on the long end would certainly be a nice addition over my current lens. I do general photography for now as i'm still a beginner.

I like the shot that can come from this lens, but my question is:

Is it really worth the price?

I wecome your thoughts an opinions.

[Jaiger]

PS:
I realized that I mispelled the word "welcome" AFTER i posted. lol

[tuxcomputers]

Originally Posted by Jaiger

PS:
I realized that I mispelled the word "welcome" AFTER i posted. lol

pssstttt......click on the edit button, and change what you need to.

[gturner]

short answer is no IMO
I would far rather spend money on the 17-55 F2.8, you will get far more use out of the extra stops than the extra reach. Get an L quality glass for APC sensor.

[Jaiger]

Originally Posted by tuxcomputers

pssstttt......click on the edit button, and change what you need to.

Yeah. I didn't think about that. lol

[jsherp]

The difference between 18mm and 15mm is what? Maybe a step backwards? Unless you make a habit of taking pictures on cliffs, the extra 3mm is not worth the money. The 30mm on the top end is a little more worth it, but only a little. I'd suggest saving your money, and getting an 85mm prime if you HAVE to spend your money on something, but if you do, go with the faster glass like gturner said.

[m.c.adams]

Originally Posted by Jaiger

I'm thinkinkg about upgrading my 18-55mm kit lens to the 15-85mm lens. I find myself sometimes wanting/needing a slightly wider angle for my landscape shots. And of course more reach on the long end would certainly be a nice addition over my current lens. I do general photography for now as i'm still a beginner.

I like the shot that can come from this lens, but my question is:

Is it really worth the price?

I wecome your thoughts an opinions.

I agree with the others, that their isn't that much difference between those two lenses. "L" quality lenses are an option if you can afford them. I wish I could, but for now, they are just a bit out of range. If you really want to go wide, try the Sigma 10-20. I have one and its an amazing piece of glass, I love it and you can get the original f4-5.6 at a pretty good price right now.

Hope this helps,
Mark

[BigVinnie]

Keep the lens you have and pick up a wide angle for the job.

This Bower 14mm gets great reviews. It is going to give you better image quality than a zoom will.

Canons zooms are not known for having great image quality at the widest settings.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by jsherp

The difference between 18mm and 15mm is what?

It's a lot more than that actually. At that focal length it's not just getting mroe in, it's the shift in perspective.

The 15-85 is a good replacement for an all-around mid-range or single-lens solution. But at this point you have to choose between the extra range and the faster aperture: a few hundred dollars more would get you a f/2.8 zoom.

[inkista]

Overall, I think the 15-85 is a definite step up from the 18-55 in build and usability. It's much better optically, but no, I don't think it's worth the money because a) it's $700+ and it has a slow maximum aperture (f/3.5-5.6) that isn't an improvement on what you have with the 18-55.

OTOH, what's "worth the price" is a personal thing that brings in how much money you have to spend. You'll note a lot of folks on messageboards and reviews telling you you have to get L glass. That's great if you can afford four figures for a lens without having to check your bank balance. Not so much if you're going to be eating ramen for half a year to pay for one.

Lenses aren't simply about the focal length, any more than they are simply about sharpness. You have to look at the overall character of the lens (including the price), and figure out what you want and why, before you can see what's the best fit for you.

The analogy I'm constantly making is that a dSLR is like a big red toolbox. The kit lens is one tool in your box. It's a walkaround zoom. The 15-85 is also a walkaround zoom. What you're doing is trying to decide if you need a shinier hammer than the one you already have. When what you may need is to fill your toolbox with a screwdriver and a drill as well.

Maybe you want an additional lens, instead of a replacement.

Are you sure you don't really want an ultrawide for your landscapes instead?
Are you sure you don't actually need a telephoto zoom instead for more reach?
Are you sure you don't actually want a macro lens?
Are you sure what you want is a walkaround zoom instead of a portrait prime?

What is it the 18-55 doesn't let you shoot? There may be something better-suited than another walkaround zoom (especially a slow one) to the subject matter you want to shoot.

I'd also recommend taking a brief tour through this guide on lenses. It'll help make a lot of the jargon and terminology about lenses less of a mystery, and give you a good way to interpret lens features into practical shooting terms.