Canon's new 15-85mm IS and 18-135mm IS
Canon today introduced two new lenses that should start being included with new cameras in kit form, the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.The most intriguing lens is the 15-85, so lets start with the other one.
The 18-135mm IS is Canon's answer to the critics that question the seemingly ancient EF 28-135mm IS USM lens being included with many new D-SLRs. The problem being that the 28mm "wide" angle lens is not that wide on D-SLRs with the 1.6x crop factor. So Canon took the lens back to the drawing board and introduced the 18mm wide version. Also updated is the Image Stabilization (IS) system to allow for up to 4 stops of hand holding stabilization. Shockingly, Canons great Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) focusing system is not integrated into this lens.
The other new lens, the EF-S 15-85mm is Canon's note to Nikon that they are not going to persuade any more Canon owners to switch systems. Nikon offers the nice 16-85mm VR, and Canon has one upped that lens with the 15-85mm IS. Included are Canon's wonderful 4 stop IS system, and Canon's USM for quick, accurate AF. Add to this 1mm wider field of view, and you have a very compelling lens.
Figure about $800 for the 15-85mm IS, and $500 for the 18-135mm IS.
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Comments
Actually, there is no wide-angle advantage of Canon 15-85 over Nikon 16-85 because of the differnce in crop factor (1.6x vs 1.5x) - both are 24mm equivalent. Still nice to have it finally as I was toying with switching over. Provided they sorted out the distortions 17-85 has :))
True enough, Wlad. Though I'm sure Canon will want to market the 15-85 as a wider lens than Nikon because, well, they can! But you are absolutely right that the FOV is the same for each lens at the widest.
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