Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

In_His_Image

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $1295.00 from Cord Camera

Summary:
Only one of the best lenses I've ever used! Just another example of why Canon is the best line of photographic equiptment on the market. This lens is very fast and of course with the Ultrasonic Motor, very quiet also. The pictures are always VERY sharp and the saturations are perfect! Alot of improvement over the 28-70L series lens. A little wider of an angle for the DSLR's with a 1.6x magnification and this lens is sealed better against dust.

Strengths:
VERY FAST!
Quiet
Sharp crisp pictures
Has over twenty lens accessories
wide angle
perfect lens for the pro!

Weaknesses:
If there is, I haven't found any!

Similar Products Used:
28-70 2.8 L
28-135 IS
70-200mm 2.8 L
180mm 3.5 L macro

Customer Service:
Never used it. I heard it excellent though

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $1250.00 from Ritz cameras (Chicag

Summary:
Probably the best quality standard zoom lens in the world. My experience having used various alternatives, including the canon 24-105L and 17-55, is that the resolution is superior in comparison and is particularly useful with a camera such as the EOS 5D which makes use of its additional autofocus sensors with a f2.8 lens.

I have kept the 24-105L also but the results from this is consistent and I would say almost always exceptional for my needs. The colours are fantastic and even cropped images display incredible detail on par with most prime lenses. It is slightly heavier than others but thats not surprising considering its constant f2.8 aperture and in reality is not much different say to the 24-105L in daily use.

Strengths:
Incredible image qulity with the right camera body such as the EOS 5D. Colours are vivid and dynamic but also accurate and the detail and resolution are fantastic.
Focus is silent and fast and very accurate with a good body.

Weaknesses:
Some would say heavy and it is expensive but with this you do pay for what you get!

Similar Products Used:
Canon 24-1-5L f4 IS zoom
Canon 17-55 f2.8 zoom

DEvianT

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Focus On Imaging 200

Summary:
Canon's classic 24-70mm f/2.8 L was until recently without peer as a standard zoom. It's solid, weather proof and so sharp you can hurt yourself. You now have the choice of this or the 24-105mm f/4 L IS. Having tried both I'd still go for this every time unless I was a travel photographer perhaps.

This is a definate top choice for portraiture, weddings (especially with flash use). It's also a great walkaround lens for day to day use. It's a bit conspicuous for street photography though I have got away with it from time to time.

The photographs from this lens are superbly sharp and have a great contrast and tone with very little post process required. The lens resolves excellent fine detail and controls light well with flare being very rare and CA being negligable.

My only (minor) gripe is slight distortion at 24mm end whch to be honest I'd expect to some degree with any wide angle lens.

If I had one zoom lens in my bag then this would be the one.

Strengths:
Large Aperture (Useable).
Sharpness.
Tone.
Contrast.
Weather Sealed.
Build Quality.
Good distortion control (Tele end).
Excellent Lens Hood.
Excellent control of Lens Flare.

Weaknesses:
Is a heavy weight!
No Image Stabalisation.
Expensive.
Bulky with or without hood fitted.

Similar Products Used:
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG
Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS
Nikon 28-70mm DX?

Customer Service:
Never had to use in last Six years

readingr

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
4 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Jessops (UK)

Summary:
This lens is sharp quick to use in both manual and AF mode and has become my standard lens on the new 5D I bought at the same time.

I use this lens for walking about and for landscape photography. The images are always pin sharp from 24-70mm range and the contrast is excellent. Complements the sensor on the 5D brilliantly.

Weight is not an issue for me and the balance with the 5D is perfect.

Hand held shots only so far and used it in light that surprised me, I thought I would have needed a tripod.

Strengths:
Sharpness
Contrast
AF speed
Balance with the 5D
Lens hood in cost
Zoom length for landscapes
Ideal walkabout lens with the 5D

Weaknesses:
Cost of filters 77mm diameter.

Customer Service:
Jessops Exceptional as usual

manacsa

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
3 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Canoga Camera

Summary:
This is a high quality lens and it shows in build, samples, and other user opinion.

I've used the lens so far at a formal birthday and at Disney's California Adventure.

As an event lens, in a typical hotel banquet hall with loads of tungsten lighting, the lens was too slow for low light photography at f2.8. For no flash shots, I used 800ISO which had a lot of noticeable noise on the Canon 30D. My shutter would wander between 1/20 and 1/40 @ f/2.8. With my 580EX on, the shots came out fine.

http://gallery.photographyreview.com/data/photography//500/Bravo042107_0006_h500.JPG

The lens did well in the outdoors or course.

http://gallery.photographyreview.com/data/photography//500/IMG_0067_h500.JPG

As a walk around lens, you have to be mindful of those around you. The lens hood makes the lens pretty long and may hit people passing you. I bought a neoprene neck strap by to help with the weight. I believe it works.

So as an event lens in low light situations, use your flash always. As a walk around lens, size and weight maybe an issue to some.

You'll read this everywhere but the lens is fast, sharp, and has great contrast and saturation. I tell people it makes things better looking that actually seeing it in person.

Strengths:
"L" Glass
Contrast
Saturation
Fast Focus
Sharp
f/2.8
Build Quality
Hood included
Black finish
70mm nice on x1.6 crop
Case included
High resale value

Weaknesses:
Expensive
Weight
Size
24mm not very wide on x1.6 crop
Costly 77mm filter size

Similar Products Used:
Canon 70-200 L f/2.8

Customer Service:
n/a