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

[TrumpetPower!]

More high praise for the 24-70 II, with the usual caveat of price.

Question for people who've bought the 24-70 II and had/have the 24-105mm f/4L IS 'kit lens'. Did you keep the 24-105L, and if so, now that you have the 24-70/2.8 II, do you use the 24-105L any more?

I have a hunch you won't want the 24-105.

But, just to put a different perspective on it...I've decided that I'm most unlikely to replace my 24-105 with a 24-70 II. The 24-105 is a wonderful lens, even if the 24-70 II is better...and, to be honest, I only ever grab the 24-105 when I haven't a clue what I'll be shooting. And, when I don't have anything already planned out, whether the resulting shots are superlative or merely very good doesn't make a bit of difference to me.

Seems rather silly to me to blow that kind of money on a "whatthehell" kind of lens, at least as I'd use it.

If I did a lot of event photography, if I already used the 24-105 a lot, if any of the other common conditions applied, I'm sure I'd upgrade. But I don't, I don't, and they don't, so I won't.

One other thing I know...if I did upgrade, I wouldn't keep the 24-105. It's probably just me, but I'd rely on a second lens to cover the missing length...either I'd already be doing events with a two-body setup with a 70-200, or I'd just pocket one of the short telephoto primes (with the new 100L being on the short list) and swap at leisure.

So, that's my advice. You use the 24-105 a lot, so it's very likely worth the upgrade. Those of us who don't get a lot of use out of a standard zoom, it's too much money for not enough extra.

Cheers,

b&

 

[wayno]

More high praise for the 24-70 II, with the usual caveat of price.

Question for people who've bought the 24-70 II and had/have the 24-105mm f/4L IS 'kit lens'. Did you keep the 24-105L, and if so, now that you have the 24-70/2.8 II, do you use the 24-105L any more?

I have a hunch you won't want the 24-105.

But, just to put a different perspective on it...I've decided that I'm most unlikely to replace my 24-105 with a 24-70 II. The 24-105 is a wonderful lens, even if the 24-70 II is better...and, to be honest, I only ever grab the 24-105 when I haven't a clue what I'll be shooting. And, when I don't have anything already planned out, whether the resulting shots are superlative or merely very good doesn't make a bit of difference to me.

Seems rather silly to me to blow that kind of money on a "whatthehell" kind of lens, at least as I'd use it.

If I did a lot of event photography, if I already used the 24-105 a lot, if any of the other common conditions applied, I'm sure I'd upgrade. But I don't, I don't, and they don't, so I won't.

One other thing I know...if I did upgrade, I wouldn't keep the 24-105. It's probably just me, but I'd rely on a second lens to cover the missing length...either I'd already be doing events with a two-body setup with a 70-200, or I'd just pocket one of the short telephoto primes (with the new 100L being on the short list) and swap at leisure.

So, that's my advice. You use the 24-105 a lot, so it's very likely worth the upgrade. Those of us who don't get a lot of use out of a standard zoom, it's too much money for not enough extra.

Cheers,

b&

To put an alternative spin on that, I never used my old 24-70, preferring to use primes. However once I got the 24-70ii, the IQ and handling completely put a new perspective on it. I now use it much more. The 24-70ii was a questionable purchase to be honest - but it has proven to be good investment as I use it regularly and love doing so.

 

[jasonsim]

Sold my 24-105mm right after getting the 24-70mm f/2.8L II. Also sold a 35mm f/1.4 and 24mm f/3.5L TS-E II. I probably should sell the 50mm f/1.2L too, but....

Don't get it, if you don't want your primes to collect dust.

More high praise for the 24-70 II, with the usual caveat of price.

Question for people who've bought the 24-70 II and had/have the 24-105mm f/4L IS 'kit lens'. Did you keep the 24-105L, and if so, now that you have the 24-70/2.8 II, do you use the 24-105L any more?

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

More high praise for the 24-70 II, with the usual caveat of price.

Question for people who've bought the 24-70 II and had/have the 24-105mm f/4L IS 'kit lens'. Did you keep the 24-105L, and if so, now that you have the 24-70/2.8 II, do you use the 24-105L any more?

Hells no I didn't keep it. To be honest I actually got rid of it before I even got the 24-70 II.
24-105L never did it for me, I wanted to love it but blah.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

[...]
Of slightly more concern are the ~30% of shots taken between 70-105mm, but I suspect the better IQ will make that a worthwhile trade.
[...]

What is the percentage for the range of, let's say 80-105? I doubt you will 10mm much at that focal length, assuming that cropping from a 70mm FOV to 80mm FOV will not degrade IQ much

80-105mm is ~25%, and as expected there's a spike at the end of the zoom range. Also worth noting is that I shoot quite a lot at the wide end (30% of my shots are at 24mm), and there in particular the 24-70 II is significantly better than the 24-105 from an IQ standpoint.

I think I'm talking myself into selling the 24-105L. Did I mention that last night, I shot a few pics of the lens for a CL listing?

Doesn;t your 70-200 do 80-105mm miles better than the 24-105 anyway?

 

[TrumpetPower!]

Sold my 24-105mm right after getting the 24-70mm f/2.8L II. Also sold a 35mm f/1.4 and 24mm f/3.5L TS-E II. I probably should sell the 50mm f/1.2L too, but....

Don't get it, if you don't want your primes to collect dust.

I was unaware that the 24-70 has movements. Because only a lens with movements could be a reasonable substitute for the TS-E. Or, if the 24-70 really is a reasonable substitute for the TS-E for you, then the TS-E was a waste for you in the first place.

Similarly, the only reason to get the 50 L over the 50 f/1.4 is to shoot it wide open. If you're considering the 24-70 as a substitute, again, there wasn't any point in getting the 50 L to begin with.

Cheers,

b&

 

[Dylan777]

I have no problem selling my 50L & 16-35 II, but NOT 24-70 f2.8 II & 70-200 f2.8 IS II

 

[Haydn1971]

I just have this feeling that after getting the 24-70 II, I really won't use the 24-105L at all...and if that's going to be the case, why not get the new zoom that much sooner?

I'm sat here at the moment just thinking about the 24-70mm 2.8 II - I've still to sell my 10-22mm which was replaced by the 16-35mm on the 6D, I'm not using the 70-300mm since I bought the 135mm - cropping into a shot taken on the 135mm really is better than anything taken on the 70-300mm (non L) and then pondering about would I really use my 50mm 1.4mm if I got the 24-70 ? Probably less, if at all...

Need to stop looking at these threads, ou guys are costing me serious money ;-)

 

[lastcoyote]

I just have this feeling that after getting the 24-70 II, I really won't use the 24-105L at all...and if that's going to be the case, why not get the new zoom that much sooner?

I'm sat here at the moment just thinking about the 24-70mm 2.8 II - I've still to sell my 10-22mm which was replaced by the 16-35mm on the 6D, I'm not using the 70-300mm since I bought the 135mm - cropping into a shot taken on the 135mm really is better than anything taken on the 70-300mm (non L) and then pondering about would I really use my 50mm 1.4mm if I got the 24-70 ? Probably less, if at all...

Need to stop looking at these threads, ou guys are costing me serious money ;-)

an uncontrollable desire is a terrible thing

i've recently purchased the 135L and love it to bits.
my next purchase when money allows (end of the year probably) will be either the 24-70 2.8L II or the 35 1.4L. i seriously can't decide which to go for. i love primes but a standard zoom is missing from my kit...what to do what to do? :-\ then of course there's the thought in the back of my mind that possibly a replacement will happen soonish for the 35L. but i guess you can't go on thinking like that...

 

[jcatterino]

I just have this feeling that after getting the 24-70 II, I really won't use the 24-105L at all...and if that's going to be the case, why not get the new zoom that much sooner?

I'm sat here at the moment just thinking about the 24-70mm 2.8 II - I've still to sell my 10-22mm which was replaced by the 16-35mm on the 6D, I'm not using the 70-300mm since I bought the 135mm - cropping into a shot taken on the 135mm really is better than anything taken on the 70-300mm (non L) and then pondering about would I really use my 50mm 1.4mm if I got the 24-70 ? Probably less, if at all...

Need to stop looking at these threads, ou guys are costing me serious money ;-)

an uncontrollable desire is a terrible thing

i've recently purchased the 135L and love it to bits.
my next purchase when money allows (end of the year probably) will be either the 24-70 2.8L II or the 35 1.4L. i seriously can't decide which to go for. i love primes but a standard zoom is missing from my kit...what to do what to do? :-\ then of course there's the thought in the back of my mind that possibly a replacement will happen soonish for the 35L. but i guess you can't go on thinking like that...

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lastcoyote.. I am in the same boat .. I have the

Canon 5D Mark III | 40D |35 F1.4L / 24-70mm F2.8L MKI / 24-105 IS F4L/50 f1.4 | 100 f2.8L IS Macro | 135 f2L | 70-200 f4L IS | 580EX II/KENKO 1.4x and Canon 2x III
I have the 70-200mm 2.8 IS MKII and a 430EXII on the way ..

I want the 24-70 MKII ( already getting rid on 70-200 F4 IS (since 2.8 is on it's way) was thinking of getting rid of 24-70 MKI and keeping the 24-105 but looking at how good the 24-70 MKII is considering selling both and 50 F1.4...choices, choices..aaarggg.
I have purchased a 24-70mm 2.8 MKI, 135mm F2L, 100mm IS F2.8 Macro, 35mm F1.4L, 1.4x Kenco and 2X III teleconvertors and now the 70-200mm IS 2.8 IS and a 430EXII in less than 4 months...just for vacation shots and family photos.. explain that one to your wife (That's after buying the 5D MKIII for my Christmas gift to myself..lol)

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[lastcoyote]

lastcoyote.. I am in the same boat .. I have the

Canon 5D Mark III | 40D |35 F1.4L / 24-70mm F2.8L MKI / 24-105 IS F4L/50 f1.4 | 100 f2.8L IS Macro | 135 f2L | 70-200 f4L IS | 580EX II/KENKO 1.4x and Canon 2x III
I have the 70-200mm 2.8 IS MKII and a 430EXII on the way ..

I want the 24-70 MKII ( already getting rid on 70-200 F4 IS (since 2.8 is on it's way) was thinking of getting rid of 24-70 MKI and keeping the 24-105 but looking at how good the 24-70 MKII is considering selling both and 50 F1.4...choices, choices..aaarggg.
I have purchased a 24-70mm 2.8 MKI, 135mm F2L, 100mm IS F2.8 Macro, 35mm F1.4L, 1.4x Kenco and 2X III teleconvertors and now the 70-200mm IS 2.8 IS and a 430EXII in less than 4 months...just for vacation shots and family photos.. explain that one to your wife (That's after buying the 5D MKIII for my Christmas gift to myself..lol)

man alive that's a lot of gear in such a short time

i reckon you should sell the 24-70 MK I and the 24-105 to then get the 24-70 MKII.
keep the 50 f1.4 though as it can come in handy.

 

[RVB]

lastcoyote.. I am in the same boat .. I have the

Canon 5D Mark III | 40D |35 F1.4L / 24-70mm F2.8L MKI / 24-105 IS F4L/50 f1.4 | 100 f2.8L IS Macro | 135 f2L | 70-200 f4L IS | 580EX II/KENKO 1.4x and Canon 2x III
I have the 70-200mm 2.8 IS MKII and a 430EXII on the way ..

I want the 24-70 MKII ( already getting rid on 70-200 F4 IS (since 2.8 is on it's way) was thinking of getting rid of 24-70 MKI and keeping the 24-105 but looking at how good the 24-70 MKII is considering selling both and 50 F1.4...choices, choices..aaarggg.
I have purchased a 24-70mm 2.8 MKI, 135mm F2L, 100mm IS F2.8 Macro, 35mm F1.4L, 1.4x Kenco and 2X III teleconvertors and now the 70-200mm IS 2.8 IS and a 430EXII in less than 4 months...just for vacation shots and family photos.. explain that one to your wife (That's after buying the 5D MKIII for my Christmas gift to myself..lol)

man alive that's a lot of gear in such a short time

i reckon you should sell the 24-70 MK I and the 24-105 to then get the 24-70 MKII.
keep the 50 f1.4 though as it can come in handy.

Good advice...

 

[RVB]

I don't know why people keep banging on about the price,the RRP is high but street price's are 25% lower in the UK and europe..