This redesigned EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens from Canon ups the ante for optical performance for a professional standard zoom lens. It has one Super UD lens element and two UD lens elements that minimize chromatic aberration in the periphery at wide-angle, as well as reducing color blurring around the edges of the subject. In addition, two types of aspherical lenses are combined to help reduce spherical aberration over the entire image area, as well as through the full zoom range. Optimized lens coatings help ensure exceptional color balance while minimizing ghosting.
A ring-type USM and high-speed CPU with optimized AF algorithms ensure silent, fast autofocusing. The lens is constructed with improved dust sealing and water resistance, while fluorine coatings on the front and rear lens reduce fingerprints and smearing. A circular 9-blade diaphragm gives beautiful, soft backgrounds. A zoom lock lever locks the zoom position at the wide end for safe transporting while attached to an EOS DSLR camera over the shoulder.
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24 - 70 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 84° - 34° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.25' (38 cm) |
| Groups/Elements | 13/18 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 82 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.5 x 4.4" (8.89 x 11.18 cm) |
| Weight | 1.77 lb (803 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
So far, so good.
Haven't had a lot of time yet to use this lens yet. However, initial shots I've taken so far with this lens does NOT disappoint at all! I have the Zeiss 35 F/1.4...Read complete review
Haven't had a lot of time yet to use this lens yet. However, initial shots I've taken so far with this lens does NOT disappoint at all! I have the Zeiss 35 F/1.4 Distagon prime which is no slouch when it comes to 35mm. I also have the 16-35mm Canon ii. I've never been too happy with the 16-35 ii in terms of IQ (although it will "hit" sometimes.) ... I've always found myself falling back on the Zeiss 35mm, but there is a problem with that lens--manual focus only. So forget about action shots. The Zeiss 35mm F/1.4 beats Canon's prime 35mm hands down, so this is why I never got the Canon 35mm prime. I've been waiting in reality a couple of years for a solution at the mid-range zoom, because I also was not at fan of the original 24-70mm lens.
I have great news. This lens at least to my eye is as sharp as the Zeiss 35mm prime F1/1.4, and that's saying a lot! Others are reporting at 24mm, it's the sharpest of them all including canon's prime. Pretty much from 24-50 you are looking at stellar results, which is perfect. At 70mm, folks are reporting some loss of sharpness in the corners. To that I say, there are always compromises, and I would much have it sharp corner to corner at the wider focal. (Think about it, you are probably doing portrait at 70mm, so a little less sharp in corners is not a deal breaker!)
I'll write more when I have some more time to really put this lens through its paces. But I did attach one shot I got already with the lens (Canon 5d Mark iii) for which I am very happy with (and impossible with the Zeiss manual focus)
2 Thumbs up! ... wish it had IS like everyone else is whining about... BUT this lens I don't think should be underestimated.... it's a killer!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Great, but not Spectacular
I am a wedding photographer and pre-ordered this lens with a specific need; I wanted a wide lens that had the equivalent quality and sharpness that my 70-200 IS II produces. After months ...Read complete review
I am a wedding photographer and pre-ordered this lens with a specific need; I wanted a wide lens that had the equivalent quality and sharpness that my 70-200 IS II produces. After months of staring at the amazing MTF charts & waiting for the lens to be available, I was under the impression that this lens was the "messiah" & that IF it produced images equally as breathtaking as my 70-200 IS II, then it would be worth every penny. (You'll have to pardon my fixation with the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II; it is the best lens I have ever owned. If I was able to shoot an entire wedding with it, I WOULD. If you don't own it, I highly recommend purchasing one.) So far I've shot 2 weddings with the 24-70 II & have come to the conclusion that it is a GREAT lens. Great- NOT spectacular. It has fast & accurate focus, bokeh is beautiful, it feels well made & heavy, but it did not give me the "quality" that I was personally looking for. There is nothing wrong with this lens. The only negative things I could say about it is 1) the lack of protection from the redesigned hood and 2) price. At the full, introductory price, I see no reason to rush and buy one. If you can wait, THEN WAIT. If you have a perfectly working 24-70 mark 1, THEN WAIT. For the money, I had high expectations. Again, this lens is great, but was not impressive enough for me to keep (based on picture quality vs price). I previously owned the original 24-70, and do not notice a vast difference between them. My needs may be very different than yours; that's why I tried to describe mine specifically. I plan to return the 24-70 II and replace it with the Canon 24mm 1.4 II. I recently had the opportunity to shoot a wedding with the 24mm 1.4 & was very impressed with it; but I already had the 24-70 II on pre-order. I plan to "possibly" purchase the 24-70 II in 1-2 years, when the price equates the quality it produces.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 216 customers
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Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
The first event to take this lens, it was a wedding and the photos came out fantastic and I liked the colors, excellent lens and I recommend it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
I love this lens. fast, solid build, great quality. good range. with my canon 5d mkii it gives me the flexibility to zoom in and back out for most shots. I get to carry this lens only on quick travel adventures. i wish I purchased this sooner. It's pricey, but worth it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
I had the version 1, it was my #1 go to lens. This version 2 is incredible. Feels rock solid, extremely sharp photos, and smooth operation. I love it, I'm glad I spent the money on it!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Perfect lens to leave on the camera 24/7. Portraits, indoor sports, evening baseball games - I don't leave home without it. Crips, fast, very very happy.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
This lens is my favorite events. It covers the middle range perfectly.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
The focal length range covers virtually every photographic application I have. The f/2.8 constant aperture allows me to take good photographs under conditions of low illumination. The lens creates excellent images at all focal lengths and exposure ranges. There is no distortion of the image, even at 24 mm; straight lines stay straight. This superb lens is the only one I routinely carry into the field.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
This lens is awesome! It is my new favorite! I use it for wedding and other general portraiture. This lens with my 700-200mm f2.8L IS is my go-to combination for weddings.
The colors are gorgeous and the range is awesome! It is perfect for needing to be in tighter spaces or pulling back and getting a real wide-angle feel.
I love it, love it, love it! I wished I had made the investment a long time ago!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Love this newly redesigned lens. The old 24-70/2.8 was often horrible on the edges of the frame. This lens is very consistent at different focal lengths, apertures and around the edges of the glass. Love it and glad to have purchased it! Yes, it is expensive. However, it is a HUGE step up from the version 1 model.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Love this lens. It's so versatile and so sharp and fast!! I only own this and a 50 mm 1.2. Love these two.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
I have shot for years with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L USM Zoom. I compared the two side by side and was astonished to see some differences in the focal length. The 24-70 on this lens is not the same as the 24-70 on the predecesor. I'm not sure how this can be but I set both lenses at 70mm on the same camera on a tripod and found this one 24-70 f/2.8L II USM to have a slightly tighter zoom. If the old lens was truely 70mm then this is more like 75mm. I did not read any reviews of the lens before buying as I assumed it was pretty much the same thing with possibly more clarity on the edges. I can attest it does have better clarity and more light on the edges of the frame. It also has a larger diameter ring for filters (82mm) and a different lens hood than the previous model. Oh... and it also has a zoom lock now which is nice.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Best lens I've bought yet!!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Loving this lens. I had the old 24-70 and it sat in my bag most of the time, size and weight were just too much to make it a carry around lens. This new one may be only slightly smaller and lighter on paper, but its very noticeable when using.
Another pro, the 82mm filter size, now all my filters from my 16-35 fit too...you may find this a con if you have a lot of 77mm filters...
Price is high, but you get what you pay for, I gave up my old 24-70 and 35L and haven't had a single regret yet.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
After receiving the new lens, I immediately tested out the shapness and focus, which are something I always pay attention the most.
There is nothing wrong with the focus, and the lens is fast.
The shapness is "good", but not as good as I expected especially I have paid over $2k for the lens. If you have been spoiled by the other zoom lens like 70-200mm, then you would be disappointed. However, 70-200mm is an exceptional piece.
(NOTE: I always test lens with widest aperture with extreme focus lengths. I don't think we need to test sweet spots)
Other than that, I immediately notice that the bokeh is very nice and smooth. That is an very nice improvement. And the lens is definitely
lighter than the 1st version for work around.
is mk2 better than mk1? I think so.
Do I recommend to get this lens? yes. if you don't have Mk 1.
Do I recommend to upgrade from mk 1 ? No. I don't see the quality and feature really justify the price.
Do I recommend the other brand for the same spec? Options are out there and I have tried them and
the focus and sharpness are excellent.
However, before I have made further comments, I have to see the result from the field test for the other quality factors.
If this lens came with IS, then the price is definitely justified and it will help
to improve the shapness of pictures. Unfortunately, Canon make our lives very difficult
by adding the IS to f/4 lens only.
Probably Canon think this lens is fast enough so that there is no need for the IS. - sorry. I do think it is needed.
overall : 3.5 points after few hours of tests.
(to be fair, I will update the rating after more hours of tests.)
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
I have owned the 24-70 version 1 for quite a few years, and thought how would Canon make this lens better then it already is. I was surprised how fast this thing focused even in low light. That by itself made me forget on it being a plastic body. I guess for it being a 82mm lens would help for the weight, and shooting an event for 12hrs plus. Your arms will be glad it was made out of plastic. But it is still a solid lens with the fast focus and super sharp images paired with the 5d Mark iii you cant beat the images it puts out.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Sharp corner to corner.
Has a lot of pop. Similar to 35mm L
Vignettes a lot at 24mm
Front barrel doesn't wiggle or doesn't wiggle as much as Ver I
I hate the new hood.
The barrel feels cheap but probably good enough for most abuse.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
This lens is razor sharp and fast! A must have in your gear bag!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Incredible sharp. Best advice I ever listen to is invest in good glass, It might be the most expensive lens you will buy. But it will be the most used lens in your bag.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Best Zoom Lens I used. Like that it smaller the the old lens.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Fantastic lens for any situation. Quickly replaced my 70-200 2.8 IS II as my "go to" lens. A must for Wedding/event photographers.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Every picture is sharp and perfect.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
So far, so good.
Haven't had a lot of time yet to use this lens yet. However, initial shots I've taken so far with this lens does NOT disappoint at all! I have the Zeiss 35 F/1.4...Read complete review
Haven't had a lot of time yet to use this lens yet. However, initial shots I've taken so far with this lens does NOT disappoint at all! I have the Zeiss 35 F/1.4 Distagon prime which is no slouch when it comes to 35mm. I also have the 16-35mm Canon ii. I've never been too happy with the 16-35 ii in terms of IQ (although it will "hit" sometimes.) ... I've always found myself falling back on the Zeiss 35mm, but there is a problem with that lens--manual focus only. So forget about action shots. The Zeiss 35mm F/1.4 beats Canon's prime 35mm hands down, so this is why I never got the Canon 35mm prime. I've been waiting in reality a couple of years for a solution at the mid-range zoom, because I also was not at fan of the original 24-70mm lens.
I have great news. This lens at least to my eye is as sharp as the Zeiss 35mm prime F1/1.4, and that's saying a lot! Others are reporting at 24mm, it's the sharpest of them all including canon's prime. Pretty much from 24-50 you are looking at stellar results, which is perfect. At 70mm, folks are reporting some loss of sharpness in the corners. To that I say, there are always compromises, and I would much have it sharp corner to corner at the wider focal. (Think about it, you are probably doing portrait at 70mm, so a little less sharp in corners is not a deal breaker!)
I'll write more when I have some more time to really put this lens through its paces. But I did attach one shot I got already with the lens (Canon 5d Mark iii) for which I am very happy with (and impossible with the Zeiss manual focus)
2 Thumbs up! ... wish it had IS like everyone else is whining about... BUT this lens I don't think should be underestimated.... it's a killer!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Great, but not Spectacular
I am a wedding photographer and pre-ordered this lens with a specific need; I wanted a wide lens that had the equivalent quality and sharpness that my 70-200 IS II produces. After months ...Read complete review
I am a wedding photographer and pre-ordered this lens with a specific need; I wanted a wide lens that had the equivalent quality and sharpness that my 70-200 IS II produces. After months of staring at the amazing MTF charts & waiting for the lens to be available, I was under the impression that this lens was the "messiah" & that IF it produced images equally as breathtaking as my 70-200 IS II, then it would be worth every penny. (You'll have to pardon my fixation with the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II; it is the best lens I have ever owned. If I was able to shoot an entire wedding with it, I WOULD. If you don't own it, I highly recommend purchasing one.) So far I've shot 2 weddings with the 24-70 II & have come to the conclusion that it is a GREAT lens. Great- NOT spectacular. It has fast & accurate focus, bokeh is beautiful, it feels well made & heavy, but it did not give me the "quality" that I was personally looking for. There is nothing wrong with this lens. The only negative things I could say about it is 1) the lack of protection from the redesigned hood and 2) price. At the full, introductory price, I see no reason to rush and buy one. If you can wait, THEN WAIT. If you have a perfectly working 24-70 mark 1, THEN WAIT. For the money, I had high expectations. Again, this lens is great, but was not impressive enough for me to keep (based on picture quality vs price). I previously owned the original 24-70, and do not notice a vast difference between them. My needs may be very different than yours; that's why I tried to describe mine specifically. I plan to return the 24-70 II and replace it with the Canon 24mm 1.4 II. I recently had the opportunity to shoot a wedding with the 24mm 1.4 & was very impressed with it; but I already had the 24-70 II on pre-order. I plan to "possibly" purchase the 24-70 II in 1-2 years, when the price equates the quality it produces.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 216 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
The first event to take this lens, it was a wedding and the photos came out fantastic and I liked the colors, excellent lens and I recommend it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
I love this lens. fast, solid build, great quality. good range. with my canon 5d mkii it gives me the flexibility to zoom in and back out for most shots. I get to carry this lens only on quick travel adventures. i wish I purchased this sooner. It's pricey, but worth it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
I had the version 1, it was my #1 go to lens. This version 2 is incredible. Feels rock solid, extremely sharp photos, and smooth operation. I love it, I'm glad I spent the money on it!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Perfect lens to leave on the camera 24/7. Portraits, indoor sports, evening baseball games - I don't leave home without it. Crips, fast, very very happy.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
This lens is my favorite events. It covers the middle range perfectly.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
The focal length range covers virtually every photographic application I have. The f/2.8 constant aperture allows me to take good photographs under conditions of low illumination. The lens creates excellent images at all focal lengths and exposure ranges. There is no distortion of the image, even at 24 mm; straight lines stay straight. This superb lens is the only one I routinely carry into the field.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
This lens is awesome! It is my new favorite! I use it for wedding and other general portraiture. This lens with my 700-200mm f2.8L IS is my go-to combination for weddings.
The colors are gorgeous and the range is awesome! It is perfect for needing to be in tighter spaces or pulling back and getting a real wide-angle feel.
I love it, love it, love it! I wished I had made the investment a long time ago!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Love this newly redesigned lens. The old 24-70/2.8 was often horrible on the edges of the frame. This lens is very consistent at different focal lengths, apertures and around the edges of the glass. Love it and glad to have purchased it! Yes, it is expensive. However, it is a HUGE step up from the version 1 model.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Love this lens. It's so versatile and so sharp and fast!! I only own this and a 50 mm 1.2. Love these two.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
I have shot for years with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L USM Zoom. I compared the two side by side and was astonished to see some differences in the focal length. The 24-70 on this lens is not the same as the 24-70 on the predecesor. I'm not sure how this can be but I set both lenses at 70mm on the same camera on a tripod and found this one 24-70 f/2.8L II USM to have a slightly tighter zoom. If the old lens was truely 70mm then this is more like 75mm. I did not read any reviews of the lens before buying as I assumed it was pretty much the same thing with possibly more clarity on the edges. I can attest it does have better clarity and more light on the edges of the frame. It also has a larger diameter ring for filters (82mm) and a different lens hood than the previous model. Oh... and it also has a zoom lock now which is nice.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Best lens I've bought yet!!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Loving this lens. I had the old 24-70 and it sat in my bag most of the time, size and weight were just too much to make it a carry around lens. This new one may be only slightly smaller and lighter on paper, but its very noticeable when using.
Another pro, the 82mm filter size, now all my filters from my 16-35 fit too...you may find this a con if you have a lot of 77mm filters...
Price is high, but you get what you pay for, I gave up my old 24-70 and 35L and haven't had a single regret yet.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
After receiving the new lens, I immediately tested out the shapness and focus, which are something I always pay attention the most.
There is nothing wrong with the focus, and the lens is fast.
The shapness is "good", but not as good as I expected especially I have paid over $2k for the lens. If you have been spoiled by the other zoom lens like 70-200mm, then you would be disappointed. However, 70-200mm is an exceptional piece.
(NOTE: I always test lens with widest aperture with extreme focus lengths. I don't think we need to test sweet spots)
Other than that, I immediately notice that the bokeh is very nice and smooth. That is an very nice improvement. And the lens is definitely
lighter than the 1st version for work around.
is mk2 better than mk1? I think so.
Do I recommend to get this lens? yes. if you don't have Mk 1.
Do I recommend to upgrade from mk 1 ? No. I don't see the quality and feature really justify the price.
Do I recommend the other brand for the same spec? Options are out there and I have tried them and
the focus and sharpness are excellent.
However, before I have made further comments, I have to see the result from the field test for the other quality factors.
If this lens came with IS, then the price is definitely justified and it will help
to improve the shapness of pictures. Unfortunately, Canon make our lives very difficult
by adding the IS to f/4 lens only.
Probably Canon think this lens is fast enough so that there is no need for the IS. - sorry. I do think it is needed.
overall : 3.5 points after few hours of tests.
(to be fair, I will update the rating after more hours of tests.)
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
I have owned the 24-70 version 1 for quite a few years, and thought how would Canon make this lens better then it already is. I was surprised how fast this thing focused even in low light. That by itself made me forget on it being a plastic body. I guess for it being a 82mm lens would help for the weight, and shooting an event for 12hrs plus. Your arms will be glad it was made out of plastic. But it is still a solid lens with the fast focus and super sharp images paired with the 5d Mark iii you cant beat the images it puts out.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Sharp corner to corner.
Has a lot of pop. Similar to 35mm L
Vignettes a lot at 24mm
Front barrel doesn't wiggle or doesn't wiggle as much as Ver I
I hate the new hood.
The barrel feels cheap but probably good enough for most abuse.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
This lens is razor sharp and fast! A must have in your gear bag!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Incredible sharp. Best advice I ever listen to is invest in good glass, It might be the most expensive lens you will buy. But it will be the most used lens in your bag.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Best Zoom Lens I used. Like that it smaller the the old lens.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Fantastic lens for any situation. Quickly replaced my 70-200 2.8 IS II as my "go to" lens. A must for Wedding/event photographers.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
Every picture is sharp and perfect.