24 - 70mm f/2.8 L I or II

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Neither.

version 1 doesn't have IS, is heavy, has a narrow focal length range, and is overly expensive.
version 2 doesn't have IS, has a narrow focal length range, and is ridiculously expensive.

24-105 f/4L IS is a much better value for money. Lighter, less expensive, better range, just as sharp.
If you need to shoot low light, use a prime lens. You could probably buy an "L" prime and the 24-105 for close to what the 24-70 v2 costs.

As you can tell, I am not a fan of these lenses, especially how Canon has priced them. If the version 2 had IS and was priced the same as version 1, I would would say it was a good lens for full frame. (I would still go for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS for crop)

Some people love the current version of this lens, and can't wait for the new one to ship. I just think they are a terrible value for money.
 
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papa-razzi said:
Neither.
...

24-105 f/4L IS is a much better value for money. Lighter, less expensive, better range, just as sharp.
If you need to shoot low light, use a prime lens. You could probably buy an "L" prime and the 24-105 for close to what the 24-70 v2 costs.

...

I vote for 24-105 also. Look at the MTF for 24-105:

ef24-105mtf_wide.gif


ef24-105mtf_tele.gif
 
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Aperture said:
I have been thinking of adding 24 - 70 to my list for shooting both family portraits and landscapes when I travel.
My dilemma is should I get version I or II ?

The 24-70 f/2.8 MkI is one of those highly divisive lenses. Plenty of lucky photographers have lucked out and got a good one. The later builds may be better. But anecdotally among serious photographers I've been in communication with over many years report experiences in line with my own re the 24-70 f/2.8 MkI...most of them are disappointed in the extreme. I've recently bought my third 24-70 f/2.8 and while it's a little better than my last two I'm far from impressed. Lots of photographers who have this lens leave them in the studio gathering dust. That's why there was such excitement and when the MkII was announced after what has been a very long wait.

Just to get me by until the MkII was released, in desperation I bought a pre-owned 24-105 f/4is. To my surprise it is superior in every way to any of my 24-70 lenses except for being a stop slower. It's inherent vignetting and distortion is fully corrected automatically on Import into Lightroom. It has IS. It has just that little bit more reach. In short, I trust it.

Early reports suggest the MkII lens is a cracker. Wait a little while for meaningful independent reviews to come through, but it already looks like it will be worth the $1000 premium if you require A1 quality.

Paul Wright
 
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papa-razzi said:
Neither.

version 1 doesn't have IS, is heavy, has a narrow focal length range, and is overly expensive.
version 2 doesn't have IS, has a narrow focal length range, and is ridiculously expensive.

24-105 f/4L IS is a much better value for money. Lighter, less expensive, better range, just as sharp.
If you need to shoot low light, use a prime lens. You could probably buy an "L" prime and the 24-105 for close to what the 24-70 v2 costs.

As you can tell, I am not a fan of these lenses, especially how Canon has priced them. If the version 2 had IS and was priced the same as version 1, I would would say it was a good lens for full frame. (I would still go for EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS for crop)

Some people love the current version of this lens, and can't wait for the new one to ship. I just think they are a terrible value for money.

Pictures Ive seen of the II definitely show a IS button. Besides, I always follow the principle for shooting speed close to equivalent focal length with or without IS if the shot really matters especially with a heavy lens. With the 1.4 50 the lens is so light you can get sharp shots easier
 
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itsnotmeyouknow said:
Pictures I've seen of the II definitely show a IS button. Besides, I always follow the principle for shooting speed close to equivalent focal length with or without IS if the shot really matters especially with a heavy lens. With the 1.4 50 the lens is so light you can get sharp shots easier
There's no IS on the new lens. It would have been nice but would have ramped up price & weight even more. If there was a tradeoff to keep the price somewhat reasonable, I'm glad that image IQ was not compromised just to include IS.

Look here for comparo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF_24%E2%80%9370mm_lens

Paul Wright
 
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Thank you guys, that was really helpful..

I ordered the Version I as it seems to be fine for what I shoot, also I don't want to be part of beta testing of Version II, which might take at least about a year after the release to fix any issues and to stabilize

In that year I think I have lots of photos to shoot :)

May be I'll replace the V-I with V-II after a year or two

thank you all for your reply, really appreciate it
 
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I sold my 24-105 tonight for $900 cash.
Yeah, I made a profit for once.

It was however, short lived, because I spent it on a 35mm F/1.4 and 135mm F/2 in preference to the new 24-70mm :)

ET
 
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