bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

I'm 84 and I use a Tamron 18-400 lens on my Canon 80D.....Rich

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I went from 60D to 80D but kept my Sigma 17-70 macro - a GREAT lens - will focus to about 8 inches.

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amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

First, the EF-S 15-85mm IS USM is an excellent lens. It has a great range of focal lengths for use on a 60D, all in a single lens. It's also got very high image quality, decent build, fast USM autofocus and helpful image stabilization.

You are probably just trying to focus too close, less than the minimum distance possible with the lens. If so, you can make it focus closer by fitting a macro extension tube between the lens and camera (just won't be able to focus to infinity while that's installed). For it's quality and price I recommend the Kenko set that costs about $125 (there are cheaper in the $50 to $75 range, but they're more plasticky and don't have as secure latching mechanisms). The set includes 12mm, 20mm and 36mm tubes that can be used individually or in combinations. The more extension you add, the closer the lens can focus and the higher the magnification. There are also "close up lenses" that screw into the front of the lens... Canon makes high quality 72mm "500D" close-up lens that will fit that lens and allow it to focus closer.... but that costs $125 and is less versatile than the extension tubes (the close-up lens can only be used on lenses with 72mm filter threads... while the ext. tubes can be fitted behind ANY lens that mounts on the camera). Canon also makes very good macro extension tubes, but only sells individual 12mm and 25mm sizes. One of the 12mm costs $90, while one 25mm costs about $140. The Kenko are nearly equal quality and a better deal, since their $125 set includes three sizes.

If you shop for macro extension tubes, don't be tempted by the really cheap ones... $10 to $25. Those are "dumb tubes" that don't have the electronic contacts to allow the camera and lens to communicate with each other. As a result, there's no autofocus AND, even worse, there's no direct means of controlling the lens aperture. That type of tube can be used with vintage lenses that have mechanical aperture control ring on the lens itself... but they are a problem with modern lenses that use electronic aperture controlled via a dial on the camera body. There's a work around... but it's extremely slow and cumbersome to do. So just don't go too cheap with macro extension tubes!

If you do a lot of close-up and macro work, a true macro lens might be a better solution. Canon offers a fairly compact EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM that's very good and costs about $470. Tamron also offers a very good, compact, 60mm macro. It's crop-only (fine on 60D, not on 6D) and has a larger f/2 aperture, but costs a little more ($525).

The other "problem" you are seeing with your lens sounds like "zoom creep". That's where the lens tends to self-extend while carrying it. That's all too common with zooms (the 24-105mm you mention does it too). Some lenses have a "zoom lock", but not the 15-85mm! A cheap solution is a large, wide rubber band partly on the zoom ring, to help prevent it from easily turning and letting the lens extend. You can buy one specially made for the purpose for $10... or go to the produce dept. of your local supermarket and ask the manager for one of the rubber bands they use on bunches of asparagus, etc. That will probably be free.

It may be possible to have the zoom mechanism worked on and tension added to it, so the lens won't self extend so easily (but there will be more tension on the zoom ring when you turn it). If you decide the lens needs service, you might ask about that too. But it will probably add some cost. (There are DIY ways to do this fix to some lenses, detailed online... But those risk ruining the lens if you aren't VERY careful and reasonably skilled, with the right tools and parts to do the job.)

No, I wouldn't recommend the EF 24-105L II. For one, your 15-85mm probably has better image quality and would cost less to replace with a new one: $800 for a 15-85mm versus $1100 for the 24-105L II or $1000 for the older version, which is still avail. new. And you'd be giving up useful wide angle focal lengths. The 24-105L II also will likely have the same "zoom creep" and won't focus any closer than your current lens (assuming nothing is actually wrong with your 15-85mm preventing it from reaching it's minimum focus distance).

The ONLY lens I'd recommend replacing the 15-85mm with would be the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM. It's gonna cost about $900 and gives up a little focal length at both extremes... but it's incredibly close focusing with a built-in macro mode that can do .70X magnification without any need for extension tubes or a close-up lens. That's roughly triple the magnification possible with your 15-85mm (.21X) or the 24-105s (.23X). The 24-70mm f/4L also is very sharp... has almost as good quality as the even more upscale EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II (which is a lot bigger, heavier and double the price).

However, with the 24-70mm you'll be losing the wide angle capabilities of the 15-85mm. If those are something you use a lot, you might need to complement the 24-70 with an ultrawide such as Canon's EF-S 10-18mm IS STM (under $300, cheap, light, plasticky, but good IQ and image stabilized) or EF-S 10-22mm USM ($600-ish, one of the best ultrawides made by anyone).

If you miss the 85mm "reach" of your lens, you might want to complement the 24-70mm with something longer, too. One solution would be a true macro lens such as one of Canon's two 100mm f/2.8 ($600 for the original USM model.... $900 for the "L" model with stabilization) either of which can optionally be fitted with tripod mounting rings, which is a nice feature exclusive to Canon around these focal lengths. Alternatives are the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 ($500) or their more premium version with faster USD focus drive and image stabilization ($650).

Of course, with any of these option you end up with additional lenses to carry around instead of just one.

BTW: It doesn't help in this case, but some Canon cameras have Micro Focus Adjustment feature, where the user can make fine tuning adjustments to focus accuracy themselves. Unfortunately, Canon left that feature off the 60D (the 50D, 70D and 80D all have it).

Newer camera models also have a new and much faster method of auto focusing in Live View, which can be handy for close-up photography. Introduced on the 70D, Dual Pixel AF (DPAF) offers a big improvement in focusing speed over the contrast detection AF that earlier models use in Live View. IMO, that makes Live View a lot more useful.

Hope this helps!

Bob Boner

I recommend the 180 macro lens for Canon. Second choice would be the Sigma 150mm. If you are photographing insects with the longer lenses, my experience is that I don't frighten as many before I get the image as I do with the 105mm lens.

lcamara Loc: Rhode Island

Are you considering not upgrading your camera and lens because of your age? Silly… you're still on the top side of the grass and if you're able health-wise and financially, go for it indeed. Age is a only a number and you are how you feel so enjoy every single day. I'm 74 and don't think of not getting that new whatever it might be that I'm yearning for. I often forget that number — but of course my knees remind me very quickly that I can't squat or move as quickly to get at eye level with my adorable grandson or to move quickly before I loose a shot. And that's OK too — I enjoy everything that I still can do and am thankful every single day.
So get that camera and lens and enjoy the hell out of it and we'll look forward to seeing great shots from you.

Bob Boner

I am 77 and still going to Yellowstone for 3 weeks in the fall (when school is in session--otherwise it is too crowded) I carry (for reasonably short distances) a 600mm f/4 lens on a tripod. If you want a slightly longer lens, look at the Canon 400 f/5.6 or the 100--400 version II. (The latter is considerably heavier than the former, but both are very sharp.)

You're still a relatively young man. Don't waste your remaining years not taking advantage of your hobbies.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Thanks all, a lot to get through and digest. I'm thinking of upgrading to the 6D mkII with a 24-105 'L' series lens and my main concern was handling the bigger bulk of this combination. I've seen one or two posts here about older wrists finding larger cameras cumbersome.
This problem has now been solved as my next door neighbour has actually WON this combination (albeit with the STM lens rather an 'L' series) as he spent a lot of time at the recent U.K. photo show filling in all those tickets at display stands. As we get on very well together he has offered me extended loan of the equipment. Then I'll just have to make a choice between 80 / 90D or the 6D. With the exception of my 15-85 all my lenses will fit the full frame as well as an APSC upgrade.