nhz said:
ajfotofilmagem said:
Perhaps it is part of the researching a new 17-85mm to replace that tired old lens?
The 15-85 is generally considered to be the replacement of the 17-85.
Indeed, the 15-85mm is both the replacement, and the upgrade to the 17-85mm. The 15-85mm improves on the 17-85mm in every way (IQ, IS, AF accuracy and build quality).
When I bought my first DSLR, I bought the 18-55mm kit lens as well as the 28-135m, (as I found I wanted more ‘tele’ at times, plus a USM). My 28-135mm was a modestly good lens, great for certain situations (but not wide on a APS-C DSLR). The wide end of the 17-85mm was notoriously soft, and I could get a new 28-135mm for a good price (half what I could get the relatively new 17-85mm at that time).
Soon after I bought the 15-85mm, I sold my 28-135mm. I decided to keep the cheap 18-55 for my 350D, as a ‘children’s backup’ or for an ultra small / light travel combination that might get ‘knocked around’ a bit, and it ‘would not matter too much if it got broke’.
Anyway, to the 18-100mm IS. I see no reason that Canon would produce this lens, UNLESS it had something very different to bring to the table (pancake zoom anyone? – but the specs indicate its not ‘pancake short’) or 6 stop image stabilisation?
The existing 18-135mm IS STM is a very decent lens if one prefers more reach than the kit 18-55mm IS STM (which is a decent lens in its own right). A 18-100mm patent is probably indeed just Canon ‘trying out ideas / some R&D’ – but with no real market purpose.
For me, the 15-85mm fits as the ideal solution as a ‘general purpose travel zoom’ – from reasonably wide (24mm in 35mm format) to a useable 136mm (in 35mm format). Its qualities (very good, but not quite prime IQ, 4 stop IS, fast, accurate USM AF).
I am glad seeing another EF-S lens patent appears to indicate Canon remains committed to the APS-C format. The ‘crop sensor’ fits a great balance for me in terms of size, cost and overall capability / image quality.
Regards,
Paul