Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS Image Stabilized Lens - Refurbished

2019-02-08T19:00:00

The Canon EF-s 15-85mm is an excellent lens for any photographer. In the 1990s my wife and I took a trip to Europe and I took my trusty Canon A1 with the FD 28-85mm f4 lens along with a few filters and some 20 rolls of film. Last year we decided to go back but this time I wanted to take a compact, light weight kit capable of covering a variety of photographic opportunities. After careful consideration, lots of research, and extensive review I came up with, what I consider, the perfect combination, the Canon SL1 with the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. The EF-S 15-85mm zoom proved to be the perfect lens, light weight, compact size, solid build, image stabilization and excellent optics. For street scenes and buildings I could use the 15mm wide angle and then zoom to longer focal lengths for architectural details, portraits and framing a scene. With image stabilization I was able to take great pictures inside museums such as The Tower of London and Louvre Museum and night time attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral and Big Ben. I took along the Canon 500d close-up filter to increase the versatility of the EF-s 15-85mm lens and got some great photos of flowers and coins. I could travel all day without feeling burdened by my camera and knew I had the equipment needed for almost any photographic situation. Canon came up with a lens that challenges the quality and attributes of its “L” series lenses but at a price that is consumer friendly. The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens is a no brainer, I highly recommend this zoom to anyone that wants a top quality versatile lens.

GenScott

Originally posted at

2011-08-29T21:00:00

I bought this lens to be my street lens and all purpose lens for my canon D50. It would also make a great travel lens, because it is relatively light and it has the perfect range of focal lengths. That being said, I have had very poor success with this lens. I sent this one back because the lens creep was so bad I referred to it as lens sprint. I then got a new USA warranteed lens to replace it. I sent that back because the manual focus didn't work properly.

JAMES W.

2011-04-16T21:00:00

I use this lens as a walk around lens on a canon 50 D. In general this is an axcellent lens. I sent it back because of severe lens creep. I guess I expected too much from a refurbished lens. I got a new one and it's working fine. This si the best general purpose lens in the canon line for aps-c sensors. Obviously it dooesn't compare to an L lens, but then it isn't supposed to. It does what it does and it does it well. Just don't buy used or refurbished, That way you'll be sure to get All of the benefits of this lens with no difficulties.

F-stop

2011-04-03T21:00:00

This is my walkaround lens for outside. I was deciding between this and the 24-105 and left with this lens. Without a flash, it struggles inside, but as would be expected given its f range. Outside, the newer generation IS and the newer manufacturing of this lens is evident, but it doesnt quite match up to the 17-55.

lilkngstr

2011-04-02T21:00:00

This is the best Lens Canon have built to suit the 7D. (Great Lens to have when on holidays)

rhuggy

2011-03-27T21:00:00

I am impressed with this lens so far. It is very sharp for a zoom lens, it holds up to my nifty fifty lens. The autofocus is super fast and silent. The overall construction of the lens is quite durable compared to other EFS lens that I have used. It's not light by any means, but not too large or heavy either on my Rebel XTi. I haven't had any problems with lens creep, the zoom feels smooth and tight so far, but time will tell on that issue. The range from wide angle to moderate telephoto is great on this lens. This lens should make a great travel/walkaround lens which is what I purchased it for. It is slow with a variable max. aperture of 3.5-5.0, but the IS is very effective. I was able to handhold shots at pretty slow shutter speeds and still get a crisp shot. Overall I am very pleased with the purchase of this lens.

Sara L.

2010-09-05T21:00:00

Using on a rebel XSi (EOS 450d). Refurbished copy appears as new. Haven't noticed any focus calibration issue, but have not done any dedicated tests. Replaces my 18-55IS. Similar IQ or slightly better depending on the chosen focal length (a little less CA, a little more distortion, sharper in the center, not quite as sharp in the corners). My 18-55 is very good until the long end when it loses a little sharpness. Also sharper than my 55-250 over 55-85mm, but a little more distortion and chromatic aberration over the same range. Feels a lot more solid than either of the plastic kit lenses and the USM is much nicer to use. IS works well, compensating somewhat for the standard apertures. Range is very convenient. Size / weight is good. Due to the range, the lens hood is not very effective at the long end, this especially affects things if you're using a filter - images can appear washed out if the sun hits the filter even when it is not in view of the picture. Only thing I would like at this price is a larger aperture at the long end to provide a little more bokeh, and perhaps a little less corner shading at the wide end.

JASON P.