Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS Coming [CR3]

[Deleted member 7828]

I think this is an obvious replacement of the relatively old 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM to go along with the 6D. I think it will definitely be smaller and lighter than the aforementioned lens (as well as the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM), and priced around $600 to compete with the Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 VR. It would be the perfect kit lens for a first-FF DSLR buyer. It would definitely have better IQ and IS than the 1998.

Think about a 6D buyer looking at the currently lineup of FF standard zooms:

28-135mm $450 alone (big, heavy, old, fair IQ)
24-105mm $970 alone $800 kit (big, heavy, very good IQ, somewhat expensive)
24-70mm II $2300 alone (big, heavy, superb IQ, more expensive than the body)

...and that is all your currently-available new (not used) Canon options

Replacing the 28-135 makes total sense with the first entry-level FF coming out in a couple months. If the only option is 6D+24-105mm ($2900), it is more expensive than a D600+24-85mm ($2600), then Canon WILL lose customers, period. A more affordable is needed, and the 28-135mm is not the solution. A red ring and L in the name will elate potential customers (much better branding than Nikon's ED and gold ring designations).

That's a good thought. I never really considered it as a possible kit lens for the 6D, but that's the only way I see this lens making any real sense.

Again, if it's around the size of the old 24-85mm lens (or 28-105) and priced reasonably, we might have a winner, actually. A compact, lightweight EF zoom lens is missing from Canon's current line-up and this might be it. (then again, why not an update to one of those older lenses? More reach would be nice, for sure)

While they're at it, they should also consider putting out a smaller, lighter, non-L version of the 28-300mm lens. The L version (Canon's only FF super-zoom) is WAY too big, heavy and expensive for use as a walkaround...

 

[DB]

Consensus has shifted from DOA to good 6D kit lens with shorter focal length than 24-105, so does not eat into 70-200 sales (what myself & dilbert said). The 24-105 f4L IS is a very good lens, albeit an odd focal length. Canon probably want a 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 as wide/standard/telephoto zooms for all FF bodies, and to have both fast and f4 apertures, with and without IS....eventually. As someone else here has said, Canon do conduct their own research...nobody here on CR would object to that variety/choice (3 x reference zooms).

 

[birtembuk]

Good idea ! Providing this 24-70/4 has better IQ than 24-105, it's 77mm and it's lighter a bit. The 24-70/II would actually cost me 3000+ with a set a proper filters - UV, PL, 2xND - because I have no 82 mm filters but have all at 77.

With the 24/II now going at less than 1700, would still have 1300-1400 for this 24-70/4. Winning ticket for me. Well, if true and if the release date is not September 2019.

 

[wickidwombat]

Good idea ! Providing this 24-70/4 has better IQ than 24-105, it's 77mm and it's lighter a bit. The 24-70/II would actually cost me 3000+ with a set a proper filters - UV, PL, 2xND - because I have no 82 mm filters but have all at 77.

With the 24/II now going at less than 1700, would still have 1300-1400 for this 24-70/4. Winning ticket for me. Well, if true and if the release date is not September 2019.

my guess will be filters smaller than 77mm
maybe 67mm? all plastic construction
similar size and build to the 100f2.8L macro perhaps
length similar at full extension and half as tall when retracted maybe
i wonder if they might make it the first STM L lens too? that would guarantee it wont canibalise the 24-105 and make it appeal to the video crowd who seeming are much more important to canon these days than still shooters

 

[birtembuk]

Good idea ! Providing this 24-70/4 has better IQ than 24-105, it's 77mm and it's lighter a bit. The 24-70/II would actually cost me 3000+ with a set a proper filters - UV, PL, 2xND - because I have no 82 mm filters but have all at 77.

With the 24/II now going at less than 1700, would still have 1300-1400 for this 24-70/4. Winning ticket for me. Well, if true and if the release date is not September 2019.

my guess will be filters smaller than 77mm
maybe 67mm? all plastic construction
similar size and build to the 100f2.8L macro perhaps
length similar at full extension and have as tall when retracted maybe
i wonder if they might make it the first STM L lens too? that would guarantee it wont canibalise the 24-105 and make it appeal to the video crowd who seeming are much more important to canon these days than still shooters

Sigh about still shooters ... Well, apart from STM, I'd be happy with a 100L design style I guess. What's important is that 24/II takes 77mm and that's perfect for me for landscapes. A 24-70/4 would just be a nice complement as walk-around lens like street photo.

 

[ronderick]

The only logical argument I could think of is to use this lens to replace the 24-105 f4L as the kit lens for future FF cameras.

By doing so, Canon will be able to introduce a possible 24-120 f4L which it can categorize as a non-kit lens, giving it perfect excuse to jack up the starting price...

 

[EchoLocation]

This lens will be, to all intents and purposes, the 24-105mm II. It will be a better performer than the 24-105mm, but Canon decided that achieving their IQ goal in the final 35mm of its range was too much of a stretch so they decided to peg it back to 24-70mm, in which range its IQ will be consistently high. They probably felt that this was not too much of a compromise, given that most users will also have a telezoom starting at 70mm.

I'm expecting it to be considerably more expensive than the 24-105mm. The 24-105mm will remain as the FF kit lens.

This is what they're most likely thinking. I think they have oversaturated the market with 24-105's lately after all the 5DII,5DIII,6D kit sales. This new lens will give a decent upgrade(with loss of focal range) to 24-105 owners who want the newest, best toys(who don't have $2300 for the 24-70 2.8II), probably at around $1250-1500. The price of this lens and the oversaturation of the 24-105 will combine to heighten the perceived value of the 24-70 2.8.
I'd imagine they will try to eventually faze out the 24-105 and make this the new kit lens when the 5D IV(5DX, whatever comes out.) The newness of the kit lens will be intriguing for people upgrading from 7D's,5D's, etc. And, att 1500ish dollars this will give Canon an even more expensive kit lens to increase future profits, and while being sharper, will also be less useful compared to the 24-105(smaller focal length,) thus forcing even more lens sales as people buy 70-200's.
This lens is definitely a little baffling, so i'm thinking there must be some sort of strategic value in introducing it as most buyers don't really seem to care that much for it.
I hope I'm wrong and it ends up being a super small 18-55 size(dream) and a light weight for $600!

 

[ahsanford]

Consensus has shifted from DOA to good 6D kit lens with shorter focal length than 24-105, so does not eat into 70-200 sales (what myself & dilbert said). The 24-105 f4L IS is a very good lens, albeit an odd focal length. Canon probably want a 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 as wide/standard/telephoto zooms for all FF bodies, and to have both fast and f4 apertures, with and without IS....eventually. As someone else here has said, Canon do conduct their own research...nobody here on CR would object to that variety/choice (3 x reference zooms).

I still think (see prior summaries of this thread) that a better for video (STM?) lens or a super small/light lens are other viable reasons for this new one. It just needs one value/useability/spec difference to have it stand out as a unique offering to consumers.

I am not buying that Canon is shoe-horning us into 24-70 to protect 70-200 sales. That can't happen if the 24-105 is still in play. So to protect 70-200 sales, they will obsolete a very popular lens in the 24-105? That's only a takeaway, so I just don't buy it.

I still contend this new lens must have an ace up its sleeve (pick any one) -- vastly improved IQ, low cost, modernized for video, small / light, etc. -- or this thing will be DOA without obsoleting the 24-105.

 

[aroo]

From Canon's pitch for the 24-105:

"Complementing the EF 17-40mm f4L USM and EF 70-200mm f4L USM, the lens completes Canon's f4L-series zoom lens range."

Reading that sentence again with this new lens in mind, it makes even more sense. The 24-105 will stay popular because of its versatile range. The 24-70 f/4 will be immediately popular as part of this three lens system. On crop bodies, both the 17-55 and 15-85 get a lot of love; there's no conflict, just a lot of different tastes out there.

I'd guess this new 24-70 is very similar to the 24-105 in IQ but about 20% lower weight and price.

 

[candyman]

24-70mm f/4L IS?

WTF? Just.....WTF?!?

Two words: compact size.

The 24-105L is smaller than the 24-70L but it's still not a compact lens.

Canon needs a smaller (and cheaper?) kit lens for the smallish 6D.
A compact, high quality 24-70mm f/4L IS would be a very good fit.

Depending on price, I'd be very interested in such a lens - and potentially the 6D too.

this

 

[Ew]

All specs aside, I really think that this is a knee-jerk reaction to the market / sales.

With the Tamron getting to market first, many fans held out. But as delays came on folk began to jump ship - especially when the price was verified by the vendors.

With the v1 24-70 gone, all of the sudden sales are down, even with a proported fatter margin on the v2.

We've all read the rumors that there was an IS version being tested - but this all went out the window once the v2 was Announced.

Many consumers will prefer to stay away from off brand even at f4 vs f2.8. I would expect simpler housing, pricing iine with Tamron VC 2.8 24-70.

Kit option - possibly.

Another marketing gimmick - "you don't need 2.8 anymore - just push your ISO - it will still look great - oh, you don't like the 3200 on 7D or rebel ? Well there are the new low noise high ISO bodies just for that. Buy the new body, save on the lens."

Ok - so I'm taking the conspiracy apple box stand.

We a bit jaded as far as lens prices go - and should try to step back and see this from a mass market POV. That is, after all, where this lens is targeted.

If and when there is something to consider - we will. Just take a look at the harsh 6D reactions from the announcement, and now people slowly peeping in "I'm considering it"

 

[mrsfotografie]

24-70mm f/4L IS?

WTF? Just.....WTF?!?

Two words: compact size.

The 24-105L is smaller than the 24-70L but it's still not a compact lens.

Canon needs a smaller (and cheaper?) kit lens for the smallish 6D.
A compact, high quality 24-70mm f/4L IS would be a very good fit.

Depending on price, I'd be very interested in such a lens - and potentially the 6D too.

this

+1. Compactness is the key word here. I wonder if it will be a non-L lens? (Unlikely given its got a constant aperture).

 

[Woody]

my guess will be filters smaller than 77mm
maybe 67mm? all plastic construction

I doubt it'll be an all plastic construction simply because of its L designation.

From Wikipedia:
Most L series lenses share a number of common characteristics:
- Tough build, made to withstand trials in the field (some incorporating dust and moisture resistant rubber seals).
- At least one fluorite or ultra-low dispersion glass element, combined with super-low dispersion glass and ground aspherical elements.
- Non-rotating front elements, which are optimal for some filters (e.g. circular polarizers).
- Relatively large apertures compared to other Canon lenses in the same focal lengths.
- Ring-type USM (ultrasonic motor) and full-time manual focusing.

 

[Viggo]

What if they followed the new trend with weight loss, then this lens could be VERY light. That is worth something to someone, say,6d owners.

It's still an insane idea by canon... I think a few lenses must be updated first and that the timing is the stupid thing here. Seems canon care more about getting people to buy a fullframe than keeping them there...

 

[shinjuku-thief]

All specs aside, I really think that this is a knee-jerk reaction to the market / sales.

With the Tamron getting to market first, many fans held out. But as delays came on folk began to jump ship - especially when the price was verified by the vendors.

With the v1 24-70 gone, all of the sudden sales are down, even with a proported fatter margin on the v2.

We've all read the rumors that there was an IS version being tested - but this all went out the window once the v2 was Announced.

I disagree. It's not like they could design/test/set-up for manufacturing all since the 24-70 MkII came out. That's too little time for such a reaction. I'd be very surprised if they ever update the 24-105L after this new lens is on the market. With rationalisation of their zoom range, Canon's new blurb after December:

"Complementing the EF 17-40mm f4L USM and EF 70-200mm f4L USM, the 24-70 f4L IS STM lens completes Canon's f4L-series zoom lens range."

 

[Ricku]

As if the world needs another 24-70? If this is true, there will now be 5 of them.

24-70L f/2.8 (still available in many shops, and on Ebay).
24-70L II f/2.8.
24-70L II f/4.0.
Tamron 24-70.
Sigma 24-70.

What the world needs is a 14-24L.

 

[nameless]

Its probably the kitlens for the 6d, but then it has to be small, light and cheap. So 450g and around 500$ street price? Everything else, doesn't make sense in my eyes.

I love the long end of the 24-105mm and that is the only reason i never switched to the 24-70/2.8.

 

[cpsico]

Its probably the kitlens for the 6d, but then it has to be small, light and cheap. So 450g and around 500$ street price? Everything else, doesn't make sense in my eyes.

I love the long end of the 24-105mm and that is the only reason i never switched to the 24-70/2.8.

Hmmm, what does this do to the 24-105L . . .

Why would anyone buy this over a 24-105? I have a 24-70 2.8 and unless the iq is stellar I can't see a use for an f4 lens in this length

 

[dave]

Its probably the kitlens for the 6d, but then it has to be small, light and cheap. So 450g and around 500$ street price? Everything else, doesn't make sense in my eyes.

I love the long end of the 24-105mm and that is the only reason i never switched to the 24-70/2.8.

Small, cheap AND L lens. That would be a pretty odd about-face from Canon, given their recent history.

How many L lenses are $500... And with IS.

If it is $500 I'll donate my 5d2 to sandymandy.

 

[insanitybeard]

The 28 2.8 IS will be my next lens. Low key, low light, hand holdable. 4 stops? Crazy cool. $100 off? easy choice now.

Tears of joy. (see prior posts)

At some point I shall get the 24 IS for the same reasons- compact, light, sharp accross the aperture range (checkout the photozone test on the 28) and with IS- good for video clips (where you can't always take a tripod-such as up a mountain where I like to take a video panorama on occasion), useful in lower light for landscape and on a crop camera the equal to 40mm so a slightly wide standard lens. The only thing stopping me at the moment is cost but prices are already starting to drop so in 12 months or so- a winner for me.