Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Well worth the money
Summary: 5 Stars
After years of using low and midrange lenses (primarily because of cost issues), I have now upgraded to Canon's L-series. Yes, the costs may be a bit disconcerting, but the results are well worth it. (I had also great results with their 16-35 2.8L) Clarity and color rendition are superb, and the advantages of large aperture become readily apparent when shooting in low light conditions without flash (a bonus for weddings, etc.). The bokeh produced from a fast lens like this is a nice bonus as well. As others have noted, there is a macro feature, which enables shooting from a distance of mere inches, a very nice feature.
There is some noticeable distortion at some focal lengths, but that is part of the zoom lens compromise. Also, it can easily be dealt with in Photoshop. Other than that, size may be of a concern to some users, not to mention the weight. Since I am used to hauling gear (compared to the 70-200 2.8 L, this is a lightweight!), that isn't an issue for me, except when portability is of prime importance.
Because of the overall performance, it is pretty much my standard lens. Whether it is worth the cost is a purely personal decision, but if you want stellar performance in a normal zoom lens, I feel it is a superb value.
Customer 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.Customer Review: Fantastic all around lens.
Summary: 5 Stars
Ever since I purchased this lens, it's become THE lens that I carry with me anytime I'm using my camera. This was the lens that I purchased to replace my Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 and I was happily surprised how noticable the picture quality was compared to the Sigma lens (similar to how surpised the Sigma 18-50 2.8 was better than Canon 28-135mm IS). I've brought this to weddings and areas with low light and the pictures come out fantastic and the weight of the lens is very reasonable for what it's able to achieve. I rarely use my Canon 50mm 1.4 anymore unless I'm in a low light setting with now flash available. The 24-70mm produces images that are almost as good as the prime but adds in the ability to zoom with out having to use my feet :-). I taken this to indoor evening parties (flash still recommended), outdoor trips in both sunny and drizzly conditions and even in snow and I never worried about it failing on me. I've had it for couple of years and I'm confident it'll be reliable for years to come.
The price tag is pretty hefty but for me it's been well worth it. Everyone who I've lent the lens out to has been impressed with the quality of the pictures and if you can afford it, I sure it will be a permanent piece of any lens set.
Customer Review: DO NOT TRUST CALUMET PHOTO!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this lens on 11/18/10 when Amazon showed that there were "5 in stock", and was told it would arrive between 11/24/10 and 11/30/10. At 5pm on 11/23/10, 24 hours before the lens was to arrive, I received an e-mail from Calumet Photo (not directly from Amazon which seemed odd to me), that their was an error in their system, and the item was on backorder. I cancelled my order.
Lo and behold, when I check for the lens today on Amazon, barely 12 hours after receiving the e-mail telling me it is not in stock, it says "IN STOCK". Imagine that.
Do NOT trust Calument Photo. This lens is great. I have other professional photographer friends that rave about it. But, until Amazon switches to a more reputable seller, I would not take the chance and order it through Calumet. I have a wedding to shoot on 12/4/10. That was the main reason for this purchase. Fortunately B&H does indeed have it in stock, and won't give me the runaround.
Edit: This was originally given a "one star" rating. I was trying to bring attention to the seller at the time (Calumet Photo). I have since received the lens from a reputable dealer (B&H Photo) and the lens works as advertised. Outstanding in every respect.
Customer Review: Best Walk Around Lens - if you can afford it
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this lens 4 years ago from B&H for $1150. The price has gone up since then, and no credible replacement lens (at least from Canon) has arrived to usurp the 24-70L. I love this lens. It is my daily lens, my weekly lens, my monthly lens. I rarely take it off my camera (upgraded from Rebel XT to 40D and gave my wife both the Rebel XT and the 40D kit lens) and would not be parted from it.
A few caveats - it's big and heavy. It's a professional lens, so it should be.
The color is actually better on my 70-200 f4.0L (which cost about $600 less). The colors on that lens are richer and more saturated than this lens, but I'm not complaining. The colors aren't bad at all on the 24-70, I was just surprised to notice them being better on the less expensive lens.
It's very expensive. It was a big expense when I bought it. If you plan to upgrade your camera body, if you plan to shoot for a long time, buy this lens. Even at [...], your cost of ownership will be less than $300/yr in 5 years and less than $150/yr in 10 years. You can easily keep this lens, shoot with it, and love it for 10+ years. My lens is now 4 years old, and I have no complaints with it.
Jim