EF 24-70mm

[LetTheRightLensIn]

The 24-70 II is flat out awesome. Very sharp wide open center frame (some copies peak center frame sharpness by only f/3.2!). Nice edges for landscapes at the wide end. Very resistant to longitudinal CA so barely any purple fringing garbage even in the worst circumstances. Ultra high precision AF engine when paired with 5D3/1DX center point. Reasonable distortion.

The 24-70 f/4 IS is pretty good too. Stopped down the edges are very good at the wide end. Micro-contrast doesn't have quite the same crazy bite as the 24-70 II does, but it's solid enough and the edges are much better on the wide side than with the 24-105L and such. The IS is helpful. The macro mode can be useful in a pinch. The 24mm distortion is the lowest for any 24-70/105 zoom. (the 16-35 f/4 IS has much less 24mm distortion though, about zero just about) It's pretty compact and light as well. It's relatively resistant to purple fringing, not quite as much as the 24-70 II but a lot better than the 24-105L and such.

They are two of the best standard FF zooms made.

 

[sagittariansrock]

just checked out their website. Sounds pretty straightforward and legit. Anyone who has direct experience with them?

I have not bought through street prices, but here are some things that they advertise and these are easily verified (and should be verified, IMO):
1. You will be dealing directly with the dealer.
2. It will be the same as buying from the dealer with warranty, returns, etc. as applicable.
3. Only authorized Canon dealers participate.
The reason for street prices to exist is the dealers cannot advertise the discounted prices openly, so CPW acts as a middleman bringing in potential buyers at the actual discounted price (or maybe a bit higher, taking commissions into consideration). So you are not buying from CPW.

There have been two recent threads discussing the street price with actual buyers reporting that they were happy with the deal.

Doesn't surprise me. As I said CPW is very transparent about their business and all the factors are easily verifiable, and you deal directly with the seller.
I haven't had the need to use their street prices, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so if needed.
I have benefited several times from their alerts (or lost money to G.A.S., depending on how you look at it, ;D)

 

[Efka76]

I would suggest to think "out of the box" and consider Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC. This lens is much better in all aspects than Canon EF 24-70 MkI, much cheaper than Canon's 24-70 MKII. Tamron is slightly less sharper than Canon, however it has built-in image stabilisation. Currently this lens is the most used lens from my bunch of lenses that I own.

Canon produces marginally better lenses than competitors but for 2x price

 

[ray5]

Wow! I never thought the MK2 version is known to be that much better. That means getting new filters as well. Ouch!

 

[mackguyver]

Wow! I never thought the MK2 version is known to be that much better. That means getting new filters as well. Ouch!

It really is that much better, but that doesn't mean the original is no good. What it does mean is that the upgrade is definitely noticeable. At 24mm & f/11, the main improvement is in the corners (see below), but distortion & vignetting are actually a bit worse. The color and contrast are significantly better, however, which is something not measured by DxO. Here's the 3 24-70s compared on their site, however:
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/EF24-70mm-f-2.8L-USM-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-versus-Canon-EF-24-70mm-F28L-II-USM-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-versus-Canon-EF-24-70mm-F4L-IS-USM-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III___165_795_886_795_1074_795

Also, I can recommend CanonPriceWatch - I've had good luck with those guys, too.

 

[mwh1964]

Definitely the 24-70 f2.8 II. It is amazing and even lighter than the old version.

 

[candc]

Wow! I never thought the MK2 version is known to be that much better. That means getting new filters as well. Ouch!

It really is that much better, but that doesn't mean the original is no good. What it does mean is that the upgrade is definitely noticeable. At 24mm & f/11, the main improvement is in the corners (see below), but distortion & vignetting are actually a bit worse. The color and contrast are significantly better, however, which is something not measured by DxO. Here's the 3 24-70s compared on their site, however:
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/EF24-70mm-f-2.8L-USM-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-versus-Canon-EF-24-70mm-F28L-II-USM-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-versus-Canon-EF-24-70mm-F4L-IS-USM-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III___165_795_886_795_1074_795

Also, I can recommend CanonPriceWatch - I've had good luck with those guys, too.

the 24-70ii gets all the love but according to that accutance map the f/4 looks to be the best at f/11?

 

[Hjalmarg1]

I must have a good one mine is a fantastic performer. Better than the 24-70mm F4 and the 24-70mm MKII at nearly 3 times the price doesn't deliver 3x the IQ. Its a cracking lens IQ wise but doesn't seem its build is quite up to the MKI.

The 24-70mm MKI is also a good design with its reverse zoom, more protection better hood. etc etc

Unless you 100% need it I would keep the 24-70mm until the new version comes down enough to make it better acquisition.

+1 I'm also very satisfied with my version 1 of the lens. It's sharp, opposite to most of the reviews and can't justify the extra money for me that I'm just a hobbyiest. However, if the price comes down significantly I will pull the trigger.

 

[ray5]

I think I am convinced to get the EF 24-70 F/2.8L Version II. I know there were some issues with a clicking noise with one of the rings. Focus/zoom, I don't remember which one. The Forum owner had posted some insider info about this informing about the serial numbers or dates of manufacture that were affected. Do you know where I can find that post? I tried searching but couldn't locate it. And do you know if that issue is now resolved or still ongoing? Thanks,
Ray