Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Digital camera Review: An incredible lens that's a "must have" for any serious shutterbug
Summary: 5 Stars
I rented this lens a few months ago, along with the 24-105 f4 lens. Like a lot of people, I was debating back and forth on which lens to get.
I based my decision to purchase this lens because I tend to shoot primarily in low light and indoors, where using an f4 lens is a little tough without a flash or tripod. I don't like using either, so that extra f-stop makes all the difference.
Pros:
1) This lens is tack sharp, even at f2.8. It gets even better down to f5.6.
2) Excellent color and contrast
3) The bokeh in portraits is very smooth
4) Full time manual focus is available, which is nice to have
5) Lightning fast auto focus
6) Versatile zoom range (at least for my needs - your mileage may vary)
7) Solid construction. It's built like a tank. A huge leap from the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the camera.
Cons:
1) This lens is *HEAVY*. Then again, you knew that when you bought it. :) (Get a neoprene neck strap and you'll be set. It makes a huge difference.)
2) Cost - not cheap, but then again, you get what you pay for. You have to keep in mind that buying L lenses is an investment.
3) One weird thing I noticed - the lens hood (which is *HUGE*) creates shadows when using the internal flash on my Canon XSi camera. If you're using an external flash, then you should be fine. This isn't a big deal for me, I just noticed this.
Although this lens doesn't have IS, I'm not concerned. In a way, I'm glad it doesn't. It forces me to do a better job on my techniques, which is a good thing. IS can really spoil you...
Overall, this is probably one of the best all-purpose lenses that you can buy. It's very versatile and useful, with very high quality pictures, which is why so many professionals use this lens. I can't recommend this lens enough.
Digital camera Review: An outstanding lens
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been using my 24-70 2.8 L lens now for about three years. I shoot Glamor, Portrait, Wedding and Landscape photography. I find I usually use two lenses out of my whole bag of lenses 99% of the time. I use this lens and I use my 70-200 2.8 IS L. This one for closeup work, and the long one for distance or ultra bokeh (blurred background and foreground) work. I've used the 24-105 F4 IS L, but even without the IS, this lens is just so much more reliable for super-sharp, perfectly saturated shots. I expect it has to do with the ability to activate the Canon cross-type focus points only available to lenses that have 2.8 or faster apertures. I have some other lenses, prime 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8, and a compact 28-300. They all come in handy when I'm in just the right conditions to make use of them, but primes are only good when your shooting conditions are extremely controlled, flexible and will wait for you to move to the right framing distance, and the wide zooms are great for carry-around vacation shots, but the quality is only mediocre. So my recommendation is to get one of these, and one of the 70-200 lenses and you'll be in great shape. The only thing I wish is that they added IS to this lens for low-light slow-shutter-speed hand-holding.Digital camera Review: Attention grabber
Summary: 5 Stars
This lense is an attention grabber when you have the lense hood on. I find people stare at it as I walk by. It is also very intimidating to people passing by. The quality and speed of this lense is phenomenal. The weight as others have mentioned is a negative factor. I find that carrying this all day attached to my 50D causes side aches the next day. This is the primary lense on my camera eventhough it is heavy. I tend to either shoot at 24mm or 70mm, rarely in between.Digital camera Review: Awe-inspiring!
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know where to begin. I use this lens with the Canon EOS 20D and a B+W 77mm Multi-Coated UV Haze filter (a STRONG recommendation: don't degrade a lens like this with cheap glass in front of it). The color and clarity that come from this lens will put a sparkle in your eye. If you can afford it, buy this lens and you'll feel like a National Geographic photojournalist every day.Digital camera Review: Awesome in Low Light, However Constant Blurry Images = Four Stars
Summary: 4 Stars
Bought this lens for my Canon Digital Rebel XSi and soon to be Canon EOS 7D 18 MP that I've preordered. I was amazed at the ability to shoot low light with this lens. Shooting in normal light brings out sharp images, however, I've had issues with back focusing and just "off-focus". Due to my amateur skill with the camera, I was skeptical if the focusing was due to the low-er camera, my skill (or lack thereof), or just a calibrating issue with Canon. For reference, I'm moving from a Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS Lens and a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens.
I am going to send the lens in to Canon anyway just to prepare for the new camera.
Okay, all the negativity aside, this is a pretty nice lens. The colors are out of this world. It's just using the camera in places like low-light restaurants or walking through a foreign city market center in the evening will require a camera with ISO capabilities worthy of handling the lens. If not, then what I have is awesome colors, saturation, but with constant blur. Not all the time I can set up with a tripod.
The weight is definitely heavier, but it's no matter to me at all! I have a Canon Powershot G10 on order for the times when I don't need a full SLR, but still don't want to miss the opportunity to capture the shot. But if you are afraid of a little weight--which isn't that much at all--then don't spend the money.
Every time I go out now, the Sigma 18-200 stays in it's box, and I hesitate between the Canon 50mm and the Canon 24-70--especially for short trips. I always, always, always choose the 24-70 for it's ability to zoom, shoot in low light, awesome aperture, etc. It just does what the 50mm does, only better. It also forces me to learn my camera more and use my manual settings on a regular basis.
As I've said, this lens is going back to Canon--a HUGE INCONVENIENCE--for calibration. I shouldn't have to pay extra, wait extra time, risk the mail system, etc. for an extremely expensive piece of equipment that should have been good to go in the first place.
One more thing, I did wrestle over purchasing the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens instead, but went for this one so I could eventually supplement with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS Lens for my telephoto needs. So far I don't feel as if I've missed much, but I know I will want the 70-200 for the details and closeups of distant subjects.