This lens replaces the previous high quality L-series 28-70mm f/2.8 lens, with a lens of even greater caliber. The range has been extended to cover an ultra-wide angle of 24mm, which makes it ideal for digital as well as film shooters, and the optics are even better than before with two Aspherical elements and a totally new UD glass element. It's now sealed and gasketed against dust and moisture, and a new processing unit makes the AF faster than ever.
| 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) |
| Magnification | 0.29x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:3.44 |
| Groups/Elements | 13/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 77 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.3 x 4.8" (8.38 x 12.19 cm) |
| Weight | 2.1 lb (953 g) |
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Most Liked Positive Review
Fantastic walk around
I purchased this lens to replace a Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 EF-S IS USM lens that I could never be happy with, due to barrel distortion, vignetting, and other reasons.
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I purchased this lens to replace a Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 EF-S IS USM lens that I could never be happy with, due to barrel distortion, vignetting, and other reasons.
On to the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM: FANTASTIC!!! I primarily use this lens as my walk around lens and low light photography needs. 2.8 really helps with lower light/ available light photography. I detest flash with a passion so this lens fit the bill. Now I need a 50mm prime f/1.2...
The cool part of this lens is the "reverse zoom" as I call it. Many times people ask why I am zooming in on there face, when in actuality I am opening it wide. I usually shoot from 50-70 when outside, so having the lens already "zoomed in" during storage means less time from turn on to shutter release. It really came in handy when touring Yellowstone national park when fleeting animals show up for only a few seconds.
The hood for the lens is large and impressive. As others have stated, the reversing zoom adds to the effectiveness of the lens hood itself. And as usual flipping the hood for storage severely hampers the ability to control the zoom ring. As large hands will have trouble. It is doable, but not convenient.
The Lens is/states/shows quality like a L series lens should. The weather sealing worked like it should. I was climbing mountains in the Rockies. Weather was very fast at changing: from 90's to 30's in a mater of minutes, and humidity climbing and falling and even a cloud/fog rolled in. And to top that, rain, hail, and snow. NEVER DID THIS LENS FOG OVER (internally)
I agree with many who say don't put a cheap filter on after spending so much on a quality lens. The filter I went with is the "B+W 77mm UV Haze 010 F-Pro Filter" You must add a filter to seal off the lens from the elements. And yes the rear gasket will leave a smudge, easily cleaned away.
Now onto what everyone dislikes about the lens. The weight. It weighs substantially more than the 17-85. I never carry my camera with the neck strap, it is always on the shoulder, and cradle the lens with my hand as I walk. So the weight was/is never an issue with me. I find the weight also allows for steadier photographs, especially at night.
I currently shoot with a T1i, which is a light camera crop camera body. Consequently the whole camera + lens weight is not balanced. The majority of the weight, with the way I shoot, is held in my left hand. The right hand simply balances and sets and takes the photo. I do not find this a negative, rather a positive. As the weight balances with the way I position myself normally. I should say I prefer the weight imbalance. I rarely shoot tripod so cannot comment on how the weight affects tripod shooting.
Picture Quality:
Above 35mm it is simply fantastic, at 24mm with a lot of straight lines, you may, if you look hard enough and long enough discover very very slight distortion. Most photos I can not find it. Easily eliminated via post processing. If you have this lens then you know you should be shooting in RAW.
Color representation is fantastic, although editing and camera settings makes this point mute.
This was my second L series lens purchase. I own the new canon 100mm f2.8L USM IS Macro lens. As a recent L series owner, I now understand what people mean by the L desire. Once you go L you dislike anything else.
On a last and final note I wish to state I have taken over 6000 photos since purchasing the lens. I have yet to come up with any negatives with the lens. The only downside is now I want a Full Frame camera to really bring out the details this lens has the potential to provide.
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Most Liked Negative Review
24-70 or the 24-105 ??
After owning 2 soft copies of the Canon 24-70 F2.8 in the last 9 months, I without a doubt have confirmed that the 24-105 is a Better Lens!I tested the [*]...Read complete review
After owning 2 soft copies of the Canon 24-70 F2.8 in the last 9 months, I without a doubt have confirmed that the 24-105 is a Better Lens!I tested the [*]out of 2 copies of the 24-70 @ 2.8.. & the 24-105 f4IS kills it in regard to consistency, sharpness, practicality of its focal length, Image stabilization for low light shots & video & just overall usefulness. Unless you are completely stuck on having the 2.8 for low light without the use of a flash & are lucky enough to actually GET A SHARP COPY..go with the 24-105 f4IS
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
Ultra sharp lens...haven't had a session since that I haven't used it. I couldn't be happier with this lens!
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
This is a superb lens, very sharp, very fast. Highly recommended.
I am using for photgraphy and also for video.
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
I bought this lens mainly for travel so I could take a single lens to shoot in low light and still have some zoom. It hasn't disappointed. Last weekend in northern china, it performed amazingly, even in sub-zero weather.
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
This purchase was a big one, but well worth it.
Fantastic lens! Better than life photos. The lens is very solid and sturdy and bh includes a very nice lens hood, lens bag and 1 yr warranty. A great deal. This lens does great in low light and macro. I am a semi pro photographer and jewelry artist and this lens is perfect for photographing my work and people as well.
bh does a great job with the processing and shipping too. The package required my signature which is nice and was protected and packaged securely. Great product and great company.
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
Excellent quality - as expected from an L series lens. Stays mounted on my camera.
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
Good for landscapes, portraits, indoors and great for trying to catch my 2 year old daughter in the run
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
This lens used on my 40D to replace my EF-S 15-85mm kit lens. This lens is heavy. Build like a tank. The feel of the rings are just super smooth. Wow what beautiful images it can capture. This lens is what a [$] should be.
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
I chased a used lens on national auction website for 3 months before I purchased this one. Just couldn't justify only spending $150 less and not get a warranty. This lens looks like it keeps its value, so spending the extra will pay back and I get a warranty.
I have used the lens at least 3 times since I recieved it last week and its work just as advertised.
Thanks for the great buy and awesome glass!!
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
nice lens but heavy
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
This is lens is ready for just about anything. Having it in your bag means you're good to go!
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
This lens is always attached to my camera. I might switch it out for a 16-35 or 70 to 200, but the 24-70 is my primary lens. It is fast and sharp, a little heavy, but well-worth it.
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
I have been borrowing this lens on almost every shoot for the last year.
I shoot short films on the 7D and because of the conversion in camera it works as roughly a 35-110mm. It covers most of my needs with one high quality zoom lens. I admit I also use a 16-35 for when I need the wider stuff, but most of the time, this one lives on my camera. I was finally able to get my own and I couldn't be happier!
It's a fast lens with great optics and it has never let me down.
Also worth noting, if you're getting into film making, canon is releasing a camera to compete with the red and the Alexa that looks amazing. They're going to make it with a pl AND ef mount, which means, I'm investing in lenses for a 15-20k camera while shooting on the 7D. Hopefully this lens will help me get there! Happy shooting!
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
I have shot a number of weddings this completes my tool kit
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
This is a beast of a lens. Optically beautiful, superb build quality.
Heavy but bright and sharp wide open.
24mm on a crop sensor is plenty wide enough, minimal distortion.
24mm on a full frame is super wide and this lens really shines on a full frame sensor.
Enjoy
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
This is supposed to be a pro lens, but it is having serious quality and reliability issues which have to be addressed, or Canon will soon see me switch to a Nikon 24-70 2.8 with a dedicated body. Then the rest of my system may soon follow suit, if it turns out I like the Nikon experience.
I have now owned 5 copies of this lens, all of them wonderful while they lasted, but all have developed serious focusing and sharpness issues within a year or two. Once, I photographed extensively for two days just to discover that all 2000 exposeres taken within those two days at the wide-angle end just had centre sharpness - they were hopelessly unsharp anywhere but the middle of the frame. Two days of lost work, and oh boy, did it embarass me in front of the client.
My fifth copy returned from service a couple of months ago, in the time that has passed since I have had a complete hit-and-miss experience regarding focus and sharpness. Obviously, the 3 month warranty on the repair has now expired - that s the very nature of the problem; it is difficult to reproduce reliably. So, even the errors are having reliability issues! :-P
24-70 is my most used focal range (I just read Ken Rockwells review of this lens or the Nikon equivalent and was amazed, as according to him, no real pros use mid-range zooms. Sorry Ken, but you don't know what you are talking about. It's not just me, I have several colleagues which use this lens all the time - but are just as frustrated as I am. Try to work as a pro for some time before you start telling other people what pro's do or don't).
As a workaround I plan to use the 24-105 and 24 1.4 until Canon will release an updated version of this lens. If that takes forever, then I may end up switching systems, as the 24-70 2.8 is so essential to my working style that living without a bright lens in this focal range isn't really an option in the long term. This lens is more important to me than the camera that sits behind it. If you are reading this, may I suggest that you go with the 24-105 rather than the 24-70? The 24-105 lacks the bokeh of the bigger lens, but reliability-wise it has turned out to be far superior. Sharpness is excellent, and distortion is only slightly worse than the 24-70. But if portraiture and low-light photography is your thing then you would be as annoyed that I am that Canon simple can't produce a decent copy of the 24-70 2.8.
And for those who will suggest me using primes instead - yeah right. You obviously don't do fast-paced shoots the way I do. Changing lenses all the time breaks the flow, and reduces the number of keepers. I want a decent 24-70 2.8!
Canon, are you listening?!!
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
I use this lens primarily as an all around lens and let me tell you it doesn't disappoint! The focus is fast and perfect, the picture quality is second to none, and the lens itself is built like a tank!! I would definitely recommend this lens to anyone!!
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
I was looking for a lens for shooting indoors. This lens gives me more options and more light so I don't have to use a flash.
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
A great fast lens that compliments my 70 to 200 nicely.
Great price, great service and a quick delivery.
Thanks B&H
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
I use this for everything. For video , walk around, and portraits
zoom reage is efficicent for everything. from wide to zoom
only thing not great about this is how heavy it is, but its a great lens otherwise.
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Comments about Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens:
After hearing a lot about this lens from friends and family, and how it is a must have in my camera bag, I finally took a dive and purchased Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L. I am not a Pro Photographer and I mainly take photos of my family and events. Because I shoot my child running around and things that he does indoors, I usually shoot with a 50mm prime lens. I thought that I would only buy prime lens because of the speed and generally the sharpness of the lens, but after shooting with this lens, I found my self using the prime lens only when I needed the fast aperture of 1.4.
The Canon 24-70mm L is a great lens due to the fact that focal range is perfect for almost any situation. On a crop sensor, it is wide enough for great portrait showing both subject and the environment. On the longer end of the focal range is perfect for tight portraits and still object photos. The constant aperture of 2.8 throughout the focal range ensures the fast speed even in the long end.
Because of the zoom capability, I found my self moving less to compose my picture, but I am getting more pictures that I want instead of having to quickly compose a picture while the patience of my child runs out. I rather have a picture than miss out on one because I needed to move back 10 ft from my child.
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