Canon 550D with 15-85mm

[05mpwright]

Hello,

I've had my Canon 550D for about 10 months now, and I absolutely love it. It is my first DSLR and I still use the 18-55 as my everyday lens.

I've been looking at the 15-85 to replace the 18-55 as a new everyday walk-about lens. Because i'm a student, and the price of the lens, I want to make sure it's definitely worth it to justify the money.

Does anyone have, or have experience using, the 15-85mm lens on the 550D body?
Is it much better than the 18-55 standard kit lens for things like image quality?
Does the USM motor make the focusing much faster?

Anymore advice or ideas would be really appreciated.

(Please also vote on the poll above)

[Shutterbug74]

Hello...congrats on the 550D

I have a T1i which I purchased about 8 months before the 550D came out and at Christmas I purchased the 15-85 IS USM lens. As such, today I'm selling my 18-55 because I no longer use it at all now that I have this lens.

The 15-85 and the 17-55 are as close to an L-lens for an EF-S that you're going to get....I think reports are that the 17-55 slightly edges out the 15-85 but I'm not 100% on that.

The glass is excellent and the USM is terrific. If I could afford only USM lenses going forward, I will. It makes a huge difference particularly if you are going to use any kind of a filter on it.

Image quality is sharp, low light is pretty good. It is a bit more weighty than the kit lens, but on the 550D it will still have a fairly decent balance.

If you like, go to your local camera store and put one on your camera to feel the difference in handling.

I liked the 15-85 over the 17-55 because of the focal length. For me, this range works perfectly. The 15-85 is now my all around lens used and I love it.

[Ordo]

I second that. I use it on a 7D. A great lens you will never regret buying.

[idenny]

yeahh looks good!