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- Introduction
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- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
- Next -> Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
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Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens
This Lens replaces the discontinued Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8l since this (2013) year.
Price-wise this lens is almost double the cost of the old 24-70mm 2.8 Canon, is it worth the extra cash? No, not really if you stick to DSLR cameras up to 20 mega pixels, but for future, above 20 Mpx it is highly recommendable.
What is major difference between this two lenses? Answer is, sharpness, edge to edge. Nothing you can’t repair with software usage for lower resolution display or prints but worth mentioning.
If you plan to use Canon 24 70 f2.8 lens on APS-C camera it would look like 38-112mm on the FF camera.
The constant f/2.8 aperture is great for shooting indoors and produces a very nice bokeh when shooting portraits. Note that the new Canon EF 24-70mm ii comes without IS as well.
You can use this lens for portrait and wedding photography, landscapes, sports, and anything else that doesn’t require extreme telephoto capabilities. Even macro looks decent with this lens, with adding macro extender you could get amazing macro photos. For landscape shots, on APS-C (crop body) cameras, it may be too ‘narrow’, and you could pair it with Canons EF-S 10-22 USM lens to round up your Landscape kit.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Sharpness | Wide open barrel distortion 1.7% |
| Quiet, fast and accurate AF | |
| Minimum Focus Distance Maximum Magnification |
|
| Constant results | |
| Bokeh | |
| Weather sealing Build quality |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-70mm |
| 35mm equivalent FL (APS-C) | 38-112mm |
| 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° |
| Angle of View (APS-C) | |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.38m (14.96″) |
| Magnification | 0.21x |
| Groups/Elements | 13/18 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| AF motor type | Micro-type USM |
| Focus – Zoom methods | Focus Extending front Zoom – Rotary (extending) |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
| Filter Thread | 82 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 89 x 113mm (3.48 x 4.45 in) |
| Weight | 805g (1.77 lb) |
| Included accessories | Front and rear caps Hood |
| Other | Metal barrel, metal mount Wheatear Sealing Distance and DoF scale – Yes |
- Weddings
- Photojournalism
- Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
| Lens | W | MFD | MM | Filter | DB | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L I USM | 950g 2.09lb |
0.38m 14.96in |
0.29x | 77mm | 8 | 2002 | Discontinued |
| Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM | 790g 1.74lb |
0.38m 1.24ft |
0.19x | 82mm | 9 | 2008 | $824.00 |
| Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD | 825g 1.82lb |
0.38m 1.24ft |
0.21x | 82mm | 9 | 2012 | $1,299.00 |
| Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM | 600g 1.32lb |
0.38m 1.24ft |
0.70x | 77mm | 9 | 2012 | $1,499.00 |
| Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | 670g 1.48lb |
0.45m 1.47ft |
0.23x | 77mm | 8 | 2005 | $1,149.00 |
| Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM | 885g 1.95lb |
0.45m 1.47ft |
0.22x | 82mm | 9 | 2013 | $899.00 |
| Tamron AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) | 765g 1.69lb |
0.33m 1.08ft |
– | 67mm | 7 | – | $474.00 |
| Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM | 635g 1.40lb |
0.28m 0.92ft |
0.22x | 82mm | 7 | 2007 | $1,699.00 |
| Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM | 500g 1.10lb |
0.28m 0.92ft |
0.24x | 77mm | 7 | 2003 | $839.00 |
| Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM | 565g 1.25lb |
0.28m 0.92ft |
0.20x | 77mm | 7 | 2010 | $569.00 |
| Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM | 645g 1.42lb |
0.35m 1.15ft |
0.17x | 77mm | 8 | 2006 | $1,179.00 |
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | 645g 1.42lb |
0.25m 0.82ft |
0.34x | 58mm | 6 | 2011 | $199.00 |
| Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM | 565g 1.25lb |
0.28m 0.92ft |
0.20x | 77mm | 7 | 2010 | $669.00 |
| Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD (IF) | 570g 1.26lb |
0.29m 0.95ft |
0.21x | 72mm | 7 | – | $599.00 |
| Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | 670g 1.48lb |
0.45m 1.47ft |
0.23x | 77mm | 8 | 2005 | $1,149.00 |
| Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM | 650g 1.43lb |
0.25m 0.82ft |
0.17x | 77mm | 8 | 2008 | $1,749.00 |
| Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II | 790g 1.74lb |
0.21m 0.68ft |
– | 82mm | 8 | 2009 | $2,199.00 |
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM | 580g 1.28lb |
0.45m 1.47ft |
0.15x | 72mm | 8 | 2006 | $1,619.00 |
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM | 290g 0.64lb |
0.45m 1.47ft |
0.15x | 58mm | 8 | 2008 | $399.00 |
| Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | 505g 1.11lb |
0.45m 1.47ft |
0.14x | 77mm | 9 | 2008 | $499.00 |
| Carl Zeiss Planar T* f1.4 50mm | 350g 0.77lb |
0.45m 1.47ft |
0.15x | 58mm | 9 | – | $725.00 |
| Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM | 1025g 2.26lb |
0.95m 3.11ft |
0.11x | 72mm | 8 | 2006 | $2,199.00 |
| Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM | 425g 0.94lb |
0.85m 2.79ft |
0.13x | 58mm | 8 | – | $419.00 |
| Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | 725g 1.60lb |
0.85m 2.79ft |
0.12x | 77mm | 9 | 2010 | $969.00 |
| Carl Zeiss Planar T* f1.4 85mm | 700g 1.54lb |
1.00m 3.28ft |
0.15x | 72mm | 9 | – | $1,283.00 |
| Lens | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Similar or same focal range Alternatives | ||
| Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM | Price Stabilisation |
Softer |
| Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD | Price Stabilisation Quieter |
Softer in corners |
| Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM | Price | Slower f/4 Softer |
| Tamron AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) | Price Stabilisation |
Softer |
| Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | Price Stabilisation |
Slower f/4 Softer |
| Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM | Price Stabilisation |
Slower f/4 Softer |
| Similar price and focal range Alternatives | ||
| None | – | |
| From FF to APS-C Alternatives (24-70mm->~15-44mm)* | ||
| Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM | Price | More distortion Smaller Zoom range |
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | Price | More distortion Build quality No sealing Focus speed Image Quality |
| Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM | Price | Slower |
| Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM | Price Stabilisation |
Softer |
| Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD (IF) | Price Stabilisation |
Softer |
| Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM | Price Stabilisation |
Build Quality Only APS-C No sealing |
| Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | Price Stabilisation Range |
Slower Softer |
| From APS-C to FF Alternatives (24-70mm->~38-112mm)** | ||
| Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | Price Stabilisation Range |
Slower Softer |
| Prime Alternatives (near range 15-112mm) | ||
| Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM | Prime lenses are in most cases better in all domains than zoom lenses. Some of these lenses are faster than Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 II, some of them are even sharper across frame. It really depends on intended use, cause by it’s purpose, there is no logic to compare Zoom lenses with Primes. You should know what you need before buying such expensive gear. |
While some prime lenses have advantage over the Zoom lenses, they tend to cost more. Please check disadvantage of each lens separately, some doesn’t have sealing, some are slower, some are worse build quality, some are not as sharp as Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 II, some doesn’t have auto focus (it is not negative, if you plan to use it as video lens) etc. Zeiss lenses are usually sharper than Canon lenses, across whole frame, all with manual focus (MF) and great build quality, amazing especially for video. |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE | ||
| Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE | ||
| Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM | ||
| Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF | ||
| Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE | ||
| Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM | ||
| Bower 24mm f/1.4 Wide-Angle | ||
| Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2.0 ZE | ||
| Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM | ||
| Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF Macro AF | ||
| Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM | ||
| Zeiss Distagon 35mm T* f/2 ZE | ||
| Zeiss 35mm F/1.4 Distagon T | ||
| Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | ||
| Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 | ||
| Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 US UMC Aspherical | ||
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM | ||
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM | ||
| Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | ||
| Carl Zeiss Planar T* f1.4 50mm | ||
| Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM | ||
| Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM | ||
| Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | ||
| Carl Zeiss Planar T* f1.4 85mm | ||
| Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | ||
| Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 | ||
| Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM | ||
| Other | ||
* Listed lenses are the APS-C (1.6x crop) body alternatives to a field of view equal or close to one that Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 USM II produces when mounted on FF (full frame) sensor body
** Listed lenses are the FF (full frame) body alternatives to a field of view equal or close to one that Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 USM II produces when mounted on APS-C (1.6x crop) sensor body
Above are shown official MTF Charts for Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens from Canon site
Looking at MTF charts we can see how great this lens is. If you compare MTF charts with Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II lens you can see why this lens got on our top list. With all respect to 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, we believe that this will become one of the favorite lenses for Canon users.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM attached on Canon 5D Mark II
Sharpness
At F2.8, central sharpness is extremely high at all focal lengths. The corners may not quite reach the same amazing heights, but they are still very good indeed.
Chromatic Aberration
Lateral chromatic aberration is very low. You will see a little fringing towards the edges and corners if you are really going to look for it.
Vignetting
Vignetting is, as usual, stronger on FF compared to APS-C. It goes away on telephoto end at f4.
Distortion
As well as Vignetting it is more pronuounced on FF compared to APS-C. By dpreview graphs you can see that on wide end it has not small distortion of 1.7%, while on telephoto end it goes to pincushion distortion of -1.6%. You should not have any problems with this unless you shoot some geometric compositions. We believe software can correct this issue pretty well.
Bottom line for the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens
Great all-around lens with amazing sharpness and colors, IQ close to the one we can see with the primes and yes, primes could cover this range with little better image quality and less distortions, but then you would have a risk of not catching a moment cause of lens lens exchange and we believe price would be even higher to cover 24-70mm range. This is must have lens if you plan in advance, although some may choose Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD with image stabilization, great image quality and similar price range as discontinued 24-70mm f/2.8 L MK I, while some might pick Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L over it. It all comes down to you and what you want and need. We strongly suggest to rent this lens to see if it fits your desires. For ones that will or own Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, we believe it will be one of their favorite Canon L lenses.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II – Sample photos
You can buy this lens in these stores:
Read more reviews about Canon EF 24-70mm:
Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L II Review by KenRockwell
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM review by Digital Photography Review
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review by The-Digital-Picture.com
Canon EF 24-70mm – Canon5Dtips Rummors
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L mark II Final Review by slrlounge
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