General purpouse lens for Canon 60D: Canon 15-85 IS or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 ?

[david-rf]

Hi there,
I'm about to buy a Canon 60D and since the 17-85 Kit doesn't seem to have a good reputation I was thinking about getting one between Canon EF-S 15-85/3,5-5,6 IS USM and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 XR Di II VC.

The Canon 15-85 has good reviews but costs 50% more than the Tamron.

The Tamron seems to be only a bit less good than the Canon, but I read it can't have the benefits of "real-time" lens distortion correction like the Canon (don't know if it's true).

Please help! Thanks

[OsmosisStudios]

Depends on what youre shooting. If it's gonna be your walkaround lens, then the 15-85 makes more sense. If youre going to be needing that f/2.8 constant aperture, then go Tamron.

[david-rf]

So do you think I'll miss a lot that 50-85mm range that the Tamron lacks, using it as a walkaround? I am intrigued by the possibility of F2.8

[inkista]

Do you miss the 55-70 range you have between your 18-55 and 70-200? How often do you jam up against the 55 end of your kit and wish for more reach?

[RichardTaylor]

Personally I would go with the Canon, mainly because if the focal length range (especially at the wide end).

Your 50 F1.8 gives you a taste of wide apertures.

I have the older Tamron (non VC) lens and it seen very little use even before I purchased a 5D. When you needed the F2.8 (low light) it was almost useless because of the incredibly slow autofocus. Now days I use fast primes when shooting hand held in available light.

[Elmo]

17-50 f:2.8 Tamron is my goto lens on my 40D

[david-rf]

I ended up buying a 60D with a 15-85 at the same price of 60D + Tamron. I couldn't refuse that offer Now I'm waiting... it's supposed to arrive in 4-5 days

[RichardTaylor]

Thanks for the update.