Archive for: EF 24-70 f/2.8L II

Deal: Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II for $2047

via eBay
BigValueInc (98.2% positive rating) is selling the EF 24-70 f/2.8L II for $2047 (reg. $2299). Quantities are limited.

Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II $2047

*Note: If you’re worried about BVI and things such as warranty, please purchase the item from authorized dealers such as B&H Photo or Amazon. If you don’t mind less or slower support to save some money, then this sale is for you.

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Sigma 24-70 f/2 OS HSM Coming? [CR1]

More magic from Sigma coming?
The last year or two from Sigma has been a pretty good one. A lot of highly regarded lenses have been released that come in at pretty great prices compared to the competitors.

We’re told Sigma is working on a 24-70 f/2 OS HSM for full frame cameras. We’re told they want to give a full frame zoom option faster than f/2.8 that rivals the APS-C 18-35 f/1.8 DC HSM. There was no word on what pricing would be, but it would definitely come in under the Canon EF 24-74 f/2.8L II.

We’re told this could be a Photokina 2014 lens. Next year is going to be a big one for Canon & Sigma by all indications.

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Deal: Three Popular Lenses on Sale at B&H Photo

From B&H Photo
The sales continue from B&H Photo beyond the Canon lens rebates. The following three lenses are on sale for a limited time.

• Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8L II $1499 (Save $200)
• Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II $2099 (Save $200)
• Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II $2199 (Save $300)

All prices are shown at checkout and still include B&H Photo’s 2% rewards.

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DPReview: Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II Review

From DPReview
The folks at DPReview have completed their extensive review of the pretty great Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II. Did they like it? It seems so, although the usual price complaint comes up again.

Says DPR..
“The answer, as usual, isn’t necessarily clear-cut, and depends on each individual photographers’ needs and preferences. Compared to the previous version, it offers weathersealing and a welcome reduction in weight. The Sigma can’t match it optically, especially on full frame, but is so much cheaper that many users may well be willing to overlook this, particularly if they use APS-C cameras. The Tamron looks like a very worthy competitor, offering impressive image quality, image stabilisation and weathersealing all in one package, and we aim to assess it fully in the near future. But quite simply the Canon offers such exceptionally good optics that, if you’re after the very best, there’s simply no other choice.”

Read the full review | Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II $2049 (add to cart)

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Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II is a “Peerless Performer”

According to DXOMark
DXOMark has completed their review of the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II lens and have found to be the best zoom lens currently in their database.

From DXOMark
“With an DxOMark score of 26, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 MkII is the highest scoring professional fixed-aperture mid-range kit zoom of any brand in the DxO Mark database and comfortably outperforms rivals as well as the firm’s earlier Mark I version, particularly with regard to the sharpness levels across the frame. We’re used to seeing a noticeable deterioration in performance in the outer fields at longer focal lengths even with high-quality optics from the big-name marques but the new Canon bucks that trend.”

Read the entire DXO Mark review | Read the Canon Rumors Review

Buy the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II at: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

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Shooting With the EOS 6D Part 2: Costa Rica

More time with the EOS 6D
When I brought the EOS 6D to Costa Rica as my only camera body, I honestly didn’t think I’d like the camera all that much. I’ve had the luxury of using some great cameras like the EOS-1D X and EOS 5D Mark III. However, after a little over a week with it, I must say that I’m very impressed.

The Good (So far)

• The image quality is top notch, I find colour rendition and dynamic range to be terrific.
• Build quality, the camera doesn’t feel cheap.
• The ergonomics are  better than I thought they’d be.
• The center AF point is quite good.

The Bad (So far)

• Battery life is terrible if GPS and WiFi are on.
• There was the odd time 1/8000 would have been nice.
• The outer AF points, while better than the 5D2, aren’t as accurate as the center point.
• I have big hands and the control pad inside the dial can be inaccurate if not pressed perfectly.

I still don’t like the EF 24-70 f/2.8L II on the EOS 6D. Mainly because of the bulk of the lens compared to the body. The results are terrific, it just doesn’t balance well. I wouldn’t use a battery grip on a small camera, however it may feel better if you do.

I will continue to evaluate the camera during my stay in Costa Rica and work towards a full review of the EOS 6D.

Below are some images from San Jose, Costa Rica taken yesterday.

The Skyline of San Jose, Costa Rica | EOS 6D, 24-70 f/2.8L II | 50mm ISO: 100 30s f/6.3

Security at Museo Nacional – San Jose, Costa Rica | EOS 6D, 24-70 f/2.8L II | 70mm ISO:1600 1/60 f/2.8

Streets of San Jose | EOS 6D, 24-70 f/2.8L II | 24mm ISO:400 1/200 f/5.6

Canon EOS 6D for $1999 at B&H Photo | Amazon | Norman | Adorama

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Shooting With the EOS 6D in Costa Rica

My vacation camera
I decided to force myself to put down the familiar and start using a camera and lens I wouldn’t normally pick up. I am down in Jaco, Costa Rica for a couple of weeks with the EOS 6D and EF 24-70 f/2.8L II. I plan to do a full review of the 6D in the next couple of months, as I may also be bringing it to Vietnam and Laos at the end of January. For now I will do an update every few days with my feelings about the camera.

So far I have found the combination to be quite nice. The EOS 6D does not feel like a “budget” camera at all. It’s a hefty little thing with great image quality and ergonomics. I do wish I had the new EF 24-70 f/4L IS, as I think it will be far better balanced on the camera. Don’t get me wrong, having an EF 24-70 f/2.8L II attached to the camera is not a bad thing.

I am getting used to it not having a joystick to move focus points like on the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 1D X, the control pad inside the scrollwheel works quite well.

Below is an image of my son playing in the waves. The 6D got soaked with salt water by mistake and seems to have survived the ordeal unscathed.

The image quality is top notch, the color and dynamic range of the new 20mp sensor is quite good. I plan to head out in the evenings and test out the high ISO performance.

EOS 6D & EF 24-70 f/2.8L II – My son in the waves at Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

EOS 6D Video
I have yet to do any testing of the video capabilities of the EOS 6D, as that is not a strength of mine. I may get into it a bit later in the trip.

Canon EOS 6D for $2099 at B&H Photo | Amazon | Norman | Adorama

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EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS Exists as a Working Prototype [CR2]

It’s not coming soon
There are plans to release an EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS sometime in the next 18 months. I have confirmed from two sources that the end of 2013 or early 2014 is the earliest we’d see a production model announced.

There are no plans for a non-IS 24-70 f/4L.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens $2049 (Save $250)

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Review – EF 24-70 f/2.8L II

Was it worth the wait and cost?
Justin has completed his review of the new Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II and threw some opinion on the matter as well. We both really like the lens, we just have a hard time with the initial price of the lens. We know a lot of you do too. If you want a wait a while for this lens to drop in price or appear on rebate programs, you won’t be disappointed. If you want a lens that’s almost as good, albiet heavier and bulkier, grab yourself a used EF 24-70 f/2.8L.

Availability of the EF 24-70 f/2.8L II is getting better as well, most dealers do have it in stock.

Read the entire review

Buy the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II Lens
B&H Photo | Amazon | Adorama | Norman Camera $2299

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Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS [CR1]

Thinks that make you go…..
I have received two separate communications in regards to an EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS  being in the wild in prototype form. We knew this prototype has existed for quite some time, however we figured the concept was dead with the release of the EF 24-70 f/2.8L II. Canon would bring this lens to market alongside the non-IS version. Canon already does this with the 70-200 f/2.8s & 70-200 f/4s, so it’s possible they bring it to the standard zooms as well.

It’s a bit early to talk about pricing strategy, but the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II will drop in price over the next 12 months, as you can see by the recent big drops to the EOS 5D Mark III.

This is from a new source, take this with a grain of salt. I’m intrigued as I do know the IS version exists.

The timelines for future lenses seem to all be going into 2013, more on that later.

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