Canon 24-70mm 2.8L vs. 24-105mm 4L

swintonphoto · September 29, 2010

So, I am thinking of increasing my lens budget and am looking for a great standard zoom to compliment my upcoming purchase of the 5DmkII and the 70-200 4L.

I shoot lots of weddings, portraits, and general landscape artwork. I am debating between the 24-70mm 2.8L and the 24-105mm 4L.

Thoughts?

ziggy53 · September 29, 2010

For sure the EF 24-70mm, f2.8L USM. That activates the high-precision capability of the center AF sensor (requires f2.8). It also has less barrel distortion at 24mm. (A lot less.)

If you have to shoot during a ceremony without flash you can use the f2.8 setting, and f2.8 allows better bokeh with closer backgrounds.

swintonphoto · September 30, 2010

As always- thanks for the input Ziggy. That is definitely the way I am leaning.

GSPeP · September 30, 2010

I have both. Both are great lenses. But for your needs the 24-70 f2.8 would be best.

insanefred · September 30, 2010

For your case, I'd opt for the 24-70, it's just much better than the 24-105 IMO.

NeilL · September 30, 2010

mmm... dunno...

Yes, there can be more wa distortion and fringing on the 24-105, but the 24-70 is definitely more limited. The f2.8 performance is not in practice a clear advantage, whatever the theory. 24-105 has better sharpness and contrast, and of course reach. Rent and review!!

Neil

KenRC51 · September 30, 2010

24-70 2.8L is a better lens then the 24-104 4L. I would not worry about the barrel distortion because if you use LR3 then you can correct it easily. The glass and bokeh (creamer) are better then the 24-104. Plus the 2.8 is a must for weddings especially if you shooting at a church without flash.

NeilL · September 30, 2010

KenRC51 wrote: »

24-70 2.8L is a better lens then the 24-104 4L. I would not worry about the barrel distortion because if you use LR3 then you can correct it easily. The glass and bokeh (creamer) are better then the 24-104. Plus the 2.8 is a must for weddings especially if you shooting at a church without flash.

Yes, I'm absolutely sure the Nikkor 24-70 is suberb. The same cannot be said for the Canon variety!

Neil

smjiro · September 30, 2010

I have a related side Q...how important is using the IS with this 24-70 range? I know with the 70-200 it is very important for video. Is it something you wish you had everytime you go out there and shoot video/stills with your 24-70? I can see getting away without it for stills. Most every review i've read favor the 24-70 over the 24-105 Jonathan jtlyk.

NeilL · September 30, 2010

smjiro wrote: »

I have a related side Q...how important is using the IS with this 24-70 range? I know with the 70-200 it is very important for video. Is it something you wish you had everytime you go out there and shoot video/stills with your 24-70? I can see getting away without it for stills. Most every review i've read favor the 24-70 over the 24-105.

I don't do vid. IS is never of no value in handholding! Positive reviews of the 24-70 are confined to certain uses only eg portrait.

Neil

swintonphoto · September 30, 2010

Hmm.....

billythek · October 1, 2010

I went through this decision a while back and opted for the 24-105L. It is smaller (especially with the hood), lighter, has more range, and has 3-stop IS. And a little cheaper. It makes a very good walk-around lens.

The 24-70L does have it's good points, but I'm glad I have the IS, because I really need it, even at the 24 end.

roakey · October 1, 2010

swintonphoto wrote: »

I am debating between the 24-70mm 2.8L and the 24-105mm 4L.

Having watched numerous threads on this question both here on other boards I have come to the conclusion that whichever lens you end up with you’ll be equally disappointed.

The 24-70s folks lament that they occasionally need a little more reach, and the 24-104 folks whine that they occasionally need a little more speed.

Me, I’m in the latter camp.

So pick a lens that meets the majority of your requirements (FWIW I agree with Ziggy) and be prepared to be disappointed at some point!

Roak

swintonphoto · October 1, 2010

Thanks for everyones input. After trying the lenses in person and really evaluating which will meet more of my needs, I went for the 24-105. I am very pleased.

Snowgirl · October 7, 2010

swintonphoto wrote: »

Thanks for everyones input. After trying the lenses in person and really evaluating which will meet more of my needs, I went for the 24-105. I am very pleased.

I went through the same debate a few months ago and made the same decision - and am very happy. On those occasions when I need faster glass I either switch to the 70-200 IS f/2.8 or my trusty nifty-fifty f1.8 and I'm golden. Now if only my SKILLS were that good -

Photoskipper · October 7, 2010

I have been using the 24-105 since first 5D in 2007. It is good combination with the 70-200 as there is some overlapping reach and reduce the needs of changing lens during the "business".

It is good to have 24-70 + 70-200 on two FF body. But if I have only one body, I will go for 24-105 and keep the 70-200 in my bag.

Currently, I am still happy with the 24-105 for most of the commerical (wedding, parties and company functions) shoots. Prefer to take the 70-200 F2.8 rather than the F4.

swintonphoto · October 8, 2010

Photoskipper wrote: »

I have been using the 24-105 since first 5D in 2007. It is good combination with the 70-200 as there is some overlapping reach and reduce the needs of changing lens during the "business".

It is good to have 24-70 + 70-200 on two FF body. But if I have only one body, I will go for 24-105 and keep the 70-200 in my bag.

Currently, I am still happy with the 24-105 for most of the commerical (wedding, parties and company functions) shoots. Prefer to take the 70-200 F2.8 rather than the F4.

Thanks for the supportive thoughts. I think I will be very pleased with my purchase. The 70-200 2.8 may be an upgrade later, but buying into a totally new system (moving from Olympus to Canon FF) cost a lot of $ for now. I am REALLY enjoying shooting with this great equipment. The transition has actually been easier than I expected. I am learning to use the 5DmkII relatively quickly - thanks to spend a lot of time with it since I bought it last week. Best.

Canon 24-70mm 2.8L vs. 24-105mm 4L

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