Equipment Field Report: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
My wide to telephoto focal range went like this:
10-22 24 17-40 50 100 70-200 400 500
What I felt to be missing was a reasonable walkabout zoom lens to fill in the gap between 35mm and 70mm.
My 50mm f/1.4 functions wonderfully in low light situations, is quite compact and light, and is optically excellent. However, as a prime, it falls short in terms of versatility.
For this focal range in particular, I wanted something designed for shooting on the go. Looking at Canon's lens lineup, I saw two obvious choices for filling in that gap:
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
These lenses are priced about the same, so i wanted to know which would provide the most bang for the buck.
A simple comparison of things that matter to me.
| Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM |
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM |
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| shorter focal range meets 70-200 |
longer focal range overlaps 70-200 |
| heavier at 950g |
lighter at 670g |
| faster at f/2.8 |
slower at f/4 |
| L build quality |
L build quality |
| no IS |
3-stop IS |
Even though choosing a walkabout lens, I shrugged off the difference in weight. I'm in good shape and regularly carry my 500mm f/4 along with a pack full of lenses. We can revisit this in twenty years when I reach my early fifties!
Build quality of both lenses is up to par with what one expects from the L designation.
When it came down to the choice between a faster lens and image stabilization, I gave it some thought. On one hand, my experiences with Canon's image stabilization technology have been positive ones. The technology works well. However, I wanted both versatile focal length and the advantages of a fast lens. A faster lens can provide faster shutter speeds in lower light conditions, such as those found in Pacific Northwest forests. Furthermore, I feel quite comfortable hand-holding a 24-70 at lower shutter speeds.
I chose the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM and never looked back.
Will it stay in my pack? Abosutely. Here's why.
- It's slightly hefty but feels balanced on my 40D. I am comfortable with the weight, both in my hands and around my neck.
- The build quality is excellent, as expected. Solid construction, professional finish, and weather sealing are all there.
- Autofocus is snappy and silent. Zooming was a tiny bit stiff for the first week or so. After some use it loosened up and became quite smooth. I don't mind the lack of internal zooming, especially with the hood mounted. This lens handles very well.
- I am satisfied with my decision to opt for f/2.8 over 3-stop image stabilization. I use this lens with confidence in low light situations.
- Overall image quality is excellent. Any small amount of distortion on either end of the focal range is hardly noticeable in my work. It is worth noting that I do not shoot architecture and therefore rarely concern myself with small amounts of distortion easily corrected during post-processing. Small amounts of CA in bright conditions also are easily cleaned up. Color reproduction is right up there with an L series lens.
An image from the field.
JFP-021708-8174 - Canon 40D, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 24mm, handheld at 1/90 @ f/4, ISO 400
In summary.
This lens is a joy to use. It provides what I consider to be professional results on a consistent basis. I find myself shooting it alongside my Canon 10-22 EF-S f/3.5-4.5 to cover a focal range of 16-112mm. I am able to save pack space and weight for those times when travelling light is desirable. Most importantly, I like having this lens in my bag and won't hesitate to use it.
Jamie, JFP
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