Should I get the existing 24-70 or wait for new version

[variable]

Sorry if this has been asked before.

I have been interested in this lens for a while but what is keeping me waiting is I heard the second version is coming out. My biggest concern is the price drop, here in NZ the lens costs about $2000NZD should I wait or not?

Cheers

James

[wickidwombat]

you forgot the option to sell everything and move to nikon...

but more seriously i dont like the version 1 lens so i'd wait and see what the new one is like

[variable]

why don't you like the first version?

[wickidwombat]

i have the 16-35 f2.8L II which i think is sharper i use it on an APS-H body so effective focal range is 20mm to 48mm. the difference between 48mm and 70mm is hardly anything nothing a few steps closer cant fix
difference between 20mm and 24m is actually quite noticeable
I have found the 24-70 a little soft when i've loked at them might be bad copies though. people report them being a bit hit and miss. If you get a good copy you will probably love it. There are alot of happy owners of it

[variable]

ic, thanks for the advise, so do you think there will be a price drop when the second version comes out?

[pwp]

Given the high price of entry to the MkII, it is quite possible that the used prices of MkI 24-70 lenses may increase from where they are now. It's happened before.

In a spectacular stroke of luck I got a stellar 18 month old 24-70 f/2.8 MkI from Gumtree for just $600. It was literally two days before the new lens was announced.

Generally a good used 24-70 will go for double this. Get a late build and they are generally very good. Avoid earlier copies. YMMV.
This is how you check the year of manufacture: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

Paul Wright

[wickidwombat]

Given the high price of entry to the MkII, it is quite possible that the used prices of MkI 24-70 lenses may increase from where they are now. It's happened before.

In a spectacular stroke of luck I got a stellar 18 month old 24-70 f/2.8 MkI from Gumtree for just $600. It was literally two days before the new lens was announced.

Generally a good used 24-70 will go for double this. Get a late build and they are generally very good. Avoid earlier copies. YMMV.
This is how you check the year of manufacture: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

Paul Wright

wow bargain! most of the stuff on gumtree i see these days is overpriced to death
I sold all my Nikon gear in a week on gumtree... must have priced it too low

[Cannon Man]

Definitely wait for the mark II!!! Its the best quality wide angle zoom for sure, the mark II has a super UD element, UD element, Ground Aspherical element, Gmo aspherical element.. And the Mark I has NO such elements which are super important. they really make a difference on top of what else they have learned in the 10 years or so the first one has been out. I think it deserves all that price. Finally there is a top quality wide zoom lens.

Compare the MTF charts between the two. thedigitalpicture.com has them quickly available for comparison on the 24-70 2.8L II USM review page.

I have only used primes for all focal lengths below 70mm, this is a highly anticipated lens for me!

[variable]

Given the high price of entry to the MkII, it is quite possible that the used prices of MkI 24-70 lenses may increase from where they are now. It's happened before.

In a spectacular stroke of luck I got a stellar 18 month old 24-70 f/2.8 MkI from Gumtree for just $600. It was literally two days before the new lens was announced.

Generally a good used 24-70 will go for double this. Get a late build and they are generally very good. Avoid earlier copies. YMMV.
This is how you check the year of manufacture: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

Paul Wright

cool thanks for the advise

[variable]

Hi, thanks for the advise, surely there will be improvements over the mark I, but how much will it be? And will the mark I drop its price? it's like the 5D Mark II, people are saying there won't be price drops and I can't really afford the new models of both camera and lens.

If you have a crop body, i'l get the 17-55mm EF-s. 

For FF, wait for the new 24-70.

I've had five of the 24-70 mk 1 lenses, they are fine, but not worth the price.  I understand that the balance will be better on the new lens too, the old one is awfully front heavy.  With the new 5D MK II, I might just get one and forgo some of my primes, but it would take a lot to pry out my 35mm L or my 135mm L.

Lack of IS is not a concern on FF, but on a crop, IS is a improvement.(you have a 1.6 shake magnifier)

[pulsiv]

c'mon guys... its not that the "old" 24-70 is a crappy lens now... for years its been THE zoom lens to have...
your pics aren't going to be worse because there is a newer gadget on the market...

my advice would be: stick to the classic 24-70 and save some bucks!
if you're a pixel peeper... knock yourself out! literally.

[D.Sim]

If you can afford the newer one at its higher price, wait. From the charts that have been released it'll be a major improvement. If you're pushing it, get the Mk1 now, its still a pretty good lens - thats what I'm doing anyway.

[LACityPhotoCom]

Wait for the second one.  Given the performance of the latest 70-200 II, the 24-70 is sure to be optical perfection.

[variable]

Wait for the second one.  Given the performance of the latest 70-200 II, the 24-70 is sure to be optical perfection.

I cannot afford the mark II, I was wondering if the mark I's price will drop when they introduce the mark II, but I didn't think so and went to buy a new Mark I instead.

[willrobb]

If you can't afford the MkII and you see a good copy of the MKI get it. I am sure the MkII will be an awesome zoom, my MKI is great, I love it to bits and it works great (maybe I just got a good copy) so I don't feel any urge to upgrade anytime soon. If you are in no rush, wait and see what the reviews are like once the MKII comes out. Te specs would indicate it rocks, but who knows until it's been out there and been used.