New lenses
Canon's
new 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 lens looks interesting to me, and I'll be
keen to see a proper review.
I've been using the 17-85mm f/4-5.6 for some time; its overwhelming
plus point is the wide focal length range (compared to say the 18-55mm
kit lens) and although I've been generally pleased with the results
image quality starts to fall when it's wide open (especially when this
means both focal length and aperture).
The first of the apparent advantages of the lens is 2mm more on the
focal length. This amounts to about a 10% wider field of view
(66° versus 73°) and since I keep running up against the 17mm
stop, I'm sure I'd use the extra.
The second is another third of a stop in the diaphragm. Again
doesn't sound like much but could just be enough on a dim day, and if
it pushes the point where things get soft out a bit further that would
help too.
It looks like it's physically shorter and fatter, but heavier, than
the 17-85mm. The former is certainly good, as with a camera on the
back and polarizer on the front the old lens is a tight fit in my
camera bag. Fatter means that I'd need a new polarizer.
The obvious downside is the cost, even given that I expect I'll be
able to sell my old lens on.
(Yes, I know perfectly well that if you really want high quality,
fixed focal length is the way to go, but I have very limited tolerance
for (1) carrying around lenses I'm only going to use occasionally and
(2) constantly swapping between different lenses.)
In
other news they've significantly upgraded their 100mm macro lens
with IS and (given the L designation) presumably superior glass, not
that I've detected any flaw in the existing one, which I've got a lot
out of. I think this will be easier to resist but both of these
lenses being announced at the same time has left me feeling like Canon
have an eye on my wallet in particular l-)
Tags: photography
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