Canon 24-105L Review

135

Comments

  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    Haven't seen any comments about the corners on a full frame sensor. Sharp all the way, or degradation at the edges?
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • SpeshulEdSpeshulEd Registered Users Posts: 341 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    completely off subject, but I just watched a documentary on canetoads a couple of weeks ago. Good stuff.
    bored? check out my photo site...and if you have the time, leave a comment or rate some pictures while you're there.
    Canon 20D | Canon 17-40mm f/4L USM | Tamron 28-75 f2.8 XR Di LD IF | Canon 50mm f/1.8 II | Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited July 13, 2006
    Sid, I just shoot pictures with lenses, I do not test them on an optical bench. rolleyes1.gifdunno

    I tend to shoot the 24-105 L a half a stop down from its maximim aperture, rather than wide open, probably more out of habit from using poorer quality glass when I was younger than real need with the 24-105.

    I shot the 24-105 exclusively in the sand storm in Antelope Canyon on a 1DsMkll on a Gitzo tripod and came away with images that I am pleased with. I can see individual grains of sand in prints at 10x15 inches and they seem satisfactory in the corners to me.

    For instance,
    74319996-M.jpg

    Another image I like demonstrating the 24-104 L, I posted previously from Disney in Florida - shot with a 20D so not full frame, but the corners seem sharp for a hand held shot.

    48702099-L.jpg

    It does vingette some, and you need to watch for flare shooting into the light, but not as much as you might think for a 4:1 zoom
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    It's not an academic question. I shot the 16-35 on the 5D last trip, and even at f8+ the corners were soft.

    So it's a valid issue with landscapes.

    Your images are too small for me to be able to tell.
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    wxwax wrote:
    It's not an academic question. I shot the 16-35 on the 5D last trip, and even at f8+ the corners were soft.

    So it's a valid issue with landscapes.

    Your images are too small for me to be able to tell.
    Use the loupe tool here: http://www.moonriverphotography.com/gallery/1161545/13/81441790

    This file is untouched save for exposure correction from RAW. f/7.1, 24mm, handheld at 1/60th. IMO it's pretty good. As good as any of Canon's other available lenses at 24mm, at the corners, on FF, full-wide. I don't have any at f/4, but who shoots landscapes at f/4 anyhow?
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    thumb.gif Thanks. Yeah, about the same. Bottom right corner really shows it, that's what the 16-35 looked like. I assume this is a big part of why you got the 21mm Distagon?
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    wxwax wrote:
    I assume this is a big part of why you got the 21mm Distagon?
    nod.gif
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited July 13, 2006
    wxwax wrote:

    Your images are too small for me to be able to tell.


    Yeah, I know, I was at work. I went back and opened a RAW file from the Antelope Canyon shoot, proceesed the file in RAW with NO sharpening either in RAW OR in PS. None, zero, nada. I chose the Antelope shoot because I know they were shot on a tripod with MLU and a cable release or tripped by a self timer.

    Here is the original file, full frame, no cropping. I set black and white points to balance the color, and a mild curve to achieve a little better contrast to help evaluate sharpness.

    ISO 100 1 second f8.0 at 70mm

    81473714-L.jpg

    Here is a 100% pixel image of the upper left corner without sharpening

    81473930-L.jpg

    Upper right corner

    81473946-L.jpg

    Lower left

    81473956-L.jpg

    Lower right

    81473952-L.jpg


    Center of the stick

    81473938-L.jpg


    But we all know that no one would use a RAW image straight out of a 1DsMkll without any sharpening.....

    Center after Smart Sharpening of the L channel 149% 1.4 pixels Basic mode

    81473924-L.jpg

    Upper left after sharpening as per center

    81473930-L.jpg

    Upper right after Smart Sharpening as described

    81473894-L.jpg

    There may be apparent variations in sharpness due to distances from the camera as these areas were not all necessarily on a single plane. But to my eye, they seem pretty good for a 4:1 zoom. I'll have to see if I can find a shot at 24mm - not sure I have one from a tripod and MLU though.

    I think I prefer it in B&W. Here it is as I converted it in channel mixer.

    81473885-L.jpg

    I have left the original size files available in the gallery for the next few days, waxy. Maybe this will help, at least at 70mm anyway.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    Cleanup, booth #14!
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited July 13, 2006
    ???
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    Thanks PF, that looks terrific. Yeah, you read my mind. I was wondering about wider.

    I hafta admit, when I saw what was happening with the 16-35 at pretty much all aperatures, I was miffed. But to justify the Distagon, I'd have to earn money with my shots, and I don't. Life is compromise!
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    pathfinder wrote:
    ???
    was.
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited July 13, 2006
    I think there was a dgrin glitch and the thread was posted twice, and Andy cleaned it up before I ever saw it.

    I think.

    :D Maybe.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • KodachromeKodachrome Registered Users Posts: 47 Big grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    ...as a macro???
    Andy wrote:
    My biggest surprise after using this lens again today, was the quality of the bokeh. Really, really nice.

    ...had mine less than a week now and just love the 24-105...I have had the lens out on two paying shoots and cannot find fault...on one assignment had a couple of minutes to kill and shot a bee on a flower...full extension at about 2 feet from the bee and cropped 75% out of the frame...used it for the blurr challenge...I have no commercial reason for buying a macro but sure had fun...the f4 is real selective of focal plane...depth of field...or lack of... has the bee going out of focus on its far side...I have allways been a shooter that believes in prime lenses...this lens has me rethinking...also the "IS" is really something for an old shaky guy like me...I had my lab make a 12x18 of the file and folks in the lab thought I had shot it with my medium format...it is that good of a lens.

    ...some of you have seen this image last week..."O" well...

    bzzzzzzzzz.jpg
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2006
    pathfinder wrote:
    I think there was a dgrin glitch and the thread was posted twice, and Andy cleaned it up before I ever saw it.

    I think.

    :D Maybe.
    :nono

    Guess again naughty.gif
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited July 13, 2006
    Nac !!
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited July 14, 2006
    I'm very happy with this lens. If it was an f/2.8 it'd be faultless.

    81381667-M-2.jpg
  • Susi7Susi7 Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited July 17, 2006
    Love this lens!
    I shot a wedding with this lens on the first and found that it was excellent inside and out! I never had so many shots come out that I didn't have to 'fool' with !
    You can see the slide show of the wedding on my site at
    http://susilawsonphotography.biz
    under the client wedding link.
  • razerrazer Registered Users Posts: 86 Big grins
    edited July 17, 2006
    I also picked up one of these a couple of weeks back and absolutely love it, as mentioned the bokeh is absolutely first class. This is my first lens with IS and im very impressed that i can handhold down to 1/8.

    Going up London tomorrow evening to give it, its first proper workout, cant wait thumb.gif
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited August 16, 2006
    Comparison against Canon's 35L
    Just a little comparison, you can judge for yourself.

    http://www.moonriverphotography.com/gallery/1782861

    The more I use this lens, the more I love it.

    I'm just sayin'
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited August 16, 2006
    The 24-105 definitely shows more sunlight.

    FLIPA.gif
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited August 16, 2006
    Yup!!
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited August 16, 2006
    It might show more sunlight but then The 35L was shot at sunset (which
    was 8:15ish) while the 24-105 was about 10 minutes earlier. Given where
    the sun sets, I could understand why 10 minutes would make a difference
    in the amount of apparent light. Note too the difference in exposure (and
    the position of the ship--behind the North Tower (left)).

    Now if you want to say things like versitility and sharpness, I'd agree with
    that. It's much lighter than my 24-70 and Andy's assesment that once you
    put it on, you're not likely to take it off is a good one too.

    Ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited August 16, 2006
    ian408 wrote:
    It might show more sunlight but then The 35L was shot at sunset


    Humor!
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited August 16, 2006
    wxwax wrote:
    Humor!

    :boid might have been the first clue...
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited August 16, 2006
    ian408 wrote:
    :boid might have been the first clue...
    lol3.gif
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited August 16, 2006
    Waxy, you crack me up thumb.gif
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • NirNir Registered Users Posts: 1,400 Major grins
    edited August 17, 2006
    thanks guys for this thread! i just bought mine.

    had to compensate myself for a six month struggle with low shutter speeds and blurred shots while doing in spite of! with the sigma 18-200 f/3.5-6.3

    my 1st "L" and 1st "IS". didn't have too much time to really test run it yet but just had to find out what this "IS" was all about...

    88735290-M.jpg

    20D f/4 1/13s iso800 24mm

    1/13s handheld!!! clap.gif

    i like it!
    don't know how the flare got in there at the top right ne_nau.gif
    __________________

    Nir Alon

    images of my thoughts
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited August 17, 2006
    The flare is an added feature of the 24-105 f4 IS L rolleyes1.gif
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • cmasoncmason Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited August 17, 2006
    Nir wrote:
    don't know how the flare got in there at the top right ne_nau.gif

    Do you have a filter on the lens? that is usually the culprit
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