( 76 reviews )
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Posted: Aug 12 2009
This lens is the lens the produces the quality of results you see from the likes of National Geographic. The images are amazingly sharp and crisp, simply put, this is my go-to lens. I use this lens on an EOS 50D, and the results are just spectacular. Stunning. Amazing. I'm still blown away by the pictures when I see them. The zoom moves nicely with enough resistance, and generally doesn't droop when you angle the lens down unlike the 28-135IS. I have often put an extension ring in front of it and used it as a macro lens, where it takes incredible shots using manual focus. Autofocus is fast an spot-on, mounting is clean and easy, everything you would expect from an L-Series lens. I own just two L-series lenses, because honestly, I find that these two cover 90% of the regular photos I want to take. If was to offer any criticism, it is that this lens is HEAVY. You can't stick it on a camera and just wander around for a day. Also f/2.8 is great for a zoom lens, but sometimes a shot calls for a wider aperture, and you have to switch to a prime lens. Mostly the only lenses in my bag are this one, the 100-400mm and the Sigma 10-20mm which has been a bit disappointing. Add an extension tube, some flash guns and a cable release, and you are ready for almost any photo.
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Posted: Aug 12 2009
After deliberation between this and the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras as a professional quality standard zoom, I chose this one. Besides the obvious reason - having that extra stop of light to freeze action and give more flexible depth-of-field - after playing with both lenses, my reasoning for choosing the 24-70 was: 1) Color saturation is better. Pictures come straight out of the camera with the most amazingly rich colors. In 2 years I have never once had to enhance colors in post-production. 2) Bokeh quality. While this is subjective, I have yet to see another zoom lens match the silky smooth out-of-focus areas that one gets from the 24-70. 3) Tough and weatherproof. It seemed tougher than the other, with the lens hood covering the extension mechanism. Since purchasing, this lens has been through heavy rainstorms, through dust and wind, and never been any worse for the wear afterwards. Yes it is big and heavy, but if you want these features you have to pay the price. Why didn't I give it 5 stars? Because my copy was slightly soft on the wide end. I know it can be calibrated by Canon but I would expect when buying a professional lens that it should be pre-calibrated at the factory and designed to stay that way. (As an aside: If you're looking for a standard / walkaround zoom for a cropped-body camera like the 40D/400D, the 24-70mm is not wide-angle enough. For my 40D I ended up buying the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras instead, which is far better suited to those cameras.)
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Posted: Jul 26 2009
There are plenty of good reviews so this one will be a (repeat) short summary: Pros: - Sharp images accross zoom range - Fast, precise USM autofocus - Built tough with moisture and dust seal Cons: - A little on the pricey side Other: - Interesting "reverse" zoom mechanism: lens fully extended at 24mm, retracted at 70mm - Comes with hood and soft (fabric/leather) storage case
