From LensRentals.com Roger over at LensRentals.com ran the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II through an Imatest session and found it to be a stellar performer as far as resolution goes.
From Roger “This is short, sweet, and simple. The resolution absolutely, positively kicks butt and takes names. It is way better than the lens it replaces. It’s better at 70mm than the best Canon zoom I know of, the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II. It’s even better at 24mm than the sharpest 24mm prime we have, the Canon 24 TS-E. In the center, in the corners, it doesn’t care. We only had 5 copies to test, but they were all very similar with little copy-to-copy variation.
Resolution is not everything, of course. But it’s certainly an important thing. Unless the real lens reviewers find some dramatic problems with this lens, I’d have to lean towards worth-the-money on this one. I can’t believe I’m saying that a $2,300 standard zoom is worth the money. But then again, I can’t believe I’m seeing a zoom lens out resolve a $2,000 world-class prime, either.”
The Imatest results are below. The higher the number, the better.
Lens
24mm Ctr
24mm Avg
70mm Ctr
70mm Avg
Canon 24-70 f/2.8 II
954
831
950
809
Canon 24-70 f/2.8
730
605
705
570
Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC
815
765
735
655
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II
xx
xx
885
765
Canon24 f/3.5 TS-E
915
775
xx
xx
As you can see, the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II is an absolute resolution monster. It really looks like it’s the best zoom Canon has ever made optically. There is a small note that distortion at 24mm is slightly worse than version 1, but that’s what software is for. :)
From B&H Photo & Adorama Both B&H Photo & Adorama have told us that they expect to begin shipping the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Initial stock will be pretty good, however I am not expecting all preorders to be filled.
From ThatNikonGuy ThatNikonGuy has completed what appears to be the first review of the new Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II lens. It’s a pretty good review as he puts them both through the paces. Lots of sharpness, bokeh and autofocus tests were completed at various focal lengths in the review.
He did notice the lenses differ in focal length at 70mm, this is pretty normal. For example, the EF 70-200 f/4L IS is not as wide at 70mm as the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, it’s more like 85mm in examples I have seen.
His biggest point at the end of the review is how good do you want your 24-70 to be? For an extra $1000 (compared to buying a used 24-70 version 1), is it worth getting the version 2 when version 1 is so great? I can’t help with that yet, as I have not seen one land in Canada yet. It is good to know that when you have to make this decision, there really is no wrong choice.
Version 2 looks to be a little bit better at everything, autofocus, bokeh, sharpness, a more pleasing warmer image, lighter weight. The big downside is you’ll have to go buy 82mm filters, hopefully you have some already.
From Australia I have received two reports of people buying the new Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II from retailers in Australia. The lenses are expected to hit Europe and North America by September 13, 2012.
Initial stock is probably already allocated to preorders, but I’m told to expect quantities to be quite good into October.
The first unboxed Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II | Click for Larger | Credit to Barry
UPDATE I have received two updates that a major store in Germany expects their first shipments of the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II by the end of next week. This information was backed up by a CPS rep in another country.
New ship date? We and others are hearing that the new Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II will not begin shipping until October 2012 at the earliest. Nothing has been officially mentioned by Canon as of yet.
EOS Utility You will see in the latest EOS utility the lens correction information has been added for the EF 24-70 f/2.8L II
Not good news Contrary to what I was told recently by a few retailers, Canon has delayed the release of the EF 24-70 f/2.8L II again. This time until mid September 2012. The reason for the delay is said to be for “final adjustments in production”.
CR’s Take This is tough news for a lot of people. I own a lens rental business and not being able to find more new 24-70′s in Canada to add to stock has caused a few moments of stress. We were really hoping for a smooth switchover from version 1 to version 2.
However, if this is for quality control reasons, then the delay is worth it. No matter how much it drives us bonkers.
July/August 2012 I am still being told by a couple of retailers that we’ll see the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II in late July or early August. Initial stock will be pretty good, though I do expect that all initial preorders won’t be fulfilled with the first batch.
There is a bit of a shortage here in Canada on Canon lenses, there are lots of long running backorders. It does feel like Canon has allocated some manufacturing to the new lens(es) over the older stuff.
New Firmware [CR2] A mention of a new “important” firmware for the 5D Mark III was mentioned as coming sometime in June. No mention of what would be “fixed” or added to the camera.
Mirrorless [CR2] More mentions of a mirrorless announcement in June. Launching with 3 lenses with a public “roadmap” of what would coming for the system down the road.
Photokina [CR1] A few other mentions that Canon would make a “big splash” for Photokina in September. If the mirrorless is already available, not sure what that would be.
On a Photokina note, I’ll be there in Cologne to check out the new wares from Canon and the rest.
EF 24-70 f/2.8L II Availability The lens will be available in July from a few people. There is “no risk of more delays”. Initial stock will be good, but there will obviously be backorder lists for a while.
At the Exposure Show I headed to Mississauga, Ontario yesterday for the Exposure Show. It’s basically a small trade show where Henry’s Photo sells stuff. It’s quite brilliant really.
I only go to see people I know that all end up there at the same time, there wasn’t much going gear wise. Though I was surprised to see the new EF 24 f/2.8 IS and EF 24-70 f/2.8L II available to play with. Canon didn’t have the 28 f/2.8 IS with them.
Unfortunately, Canon was probably placed in the worst lit area on the show floor, no art or great photos could be made with the new lenses, though I tried.
Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II
Thoughts
The new lens feels quite solid in your hand. Though I didn’t find it felt that much lighter, even though it technically is. If I had a version 1 beside it, along with its massive hood, I think I’d probably notice the weight difference then.
The zoom ring is quite smooth, and the lens now extends in telephoto and not at 24mm like the current version.
I tried it out on the 5D Mark III and found the autofocus to be silent and nearly instant to acquire initial focus. Optically? I honestly can’t tell you, I had to shoot at such high ISO and there wasn’t really anything to take shots of. I’ve added a couple of 100% images and you can see for yourself.
5D Mark III & 24-70 f/2.8L II | EXIF: 24mm f/2.8 1/80 ISO:1600| Click for full size
5D Mark III & 24-70 f/2.8L II | EXIF: 70mm f/2.8 1/320 ISO:3200 | Click for full size
The good news? At least we’re sure they’ve made at least one.
Oh no :( I’ve heard from multiple places that the upcoming Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II will not reach market by April 17, 2012 as originally stated by Canon. There is no official new date, but we’ve been told and seen elsewhere that it could be delayed until July 2012.
The 5D Mark III has been a relatively successful launch, I am disappointed to see that has turned out to be an exception instead of a new rule.
None of this has been confirmed by Canon yet.
Speaking of 1D X I posted earlier about the 1D X being allocated to CPS members first in some countries. That does NOT include the USA.. I know it’s true in this one (Canada) as I had to provide a CPS number for preorder.
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