Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L Lens

[85Carrera]

Thinking of getting this to replace the kit 28-90 lens I have. Also have a 12-24 Sigma EX for landscape and a 75-300 mm for motorsport, etc, so this will the main walkabout lens.

Seems to be a good range for that, but maybe a bit heavy?

Any views from owners of this lens/any alternatives welcome.

Will be using it with a 20D.

Cheers

[M-J-B]

I've had mine for some months and use it as my everyday lens....

London 10/10/10 by Martin_Bennett, on Flickr

Can't fault it, even if it does weigh a couple of stone!

[miniman]

I have the Sigma version which lacks IS and USM but it is still nice to have the f/2.8 across the range.

[RobDickinson]

Its a great lens. Not quite pin sharp at the wide end but apart from that great contrast/colour and super bokeh.

Its heavy and large but not too bad.

The focusing works realy well too.

I love it BUT I found it too narrow on a crop camera so bought the 17-55f2.8IS instead - much better range for me on a crop.

Sigma have 2 versions out - a non HSM which is 'cheap' and not so great and a new HSM one which is supposed to be OK ( in tests opticaly worse or better than the canon...)

Theres also a tamron 28-75/2.8 which is supposed to be good (tho not USM focusing) and if your looking used canons 28-70L is supposed to be better than the 24-70L.

[ism123]

I've got the 24-70L on my 40D as the std lens, very happy with it. You get used to the weight after a while and I have had some superb pics from it...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c190/ism123/road...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c190/ism123/Burb...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c190/ism123/Pors...

[anonymous-user]

My 20D wears the 24-70L almost continuously. Lovely lens!!

[markmullen]

I quite fancied one but was a bit put off by the weight as a walkaround and have collected a 24-105 this morning which I am pleased with.

[RichTbiscuit]

It's my most used lens on my 40D.


Sand Shards by RFMphotography, on Flickr

[Thunderace]

I've had one for about 3 years. I used it as the standard lens on a 20D\40D and found it ideal (supported at the short end by a Canon 17-40 and Sigma 12-24). Strangely, now that I have a 5D2 it lives on that and is still ideal

I've never found the weight a problem (but I do have a preference for heavier cameras) and find it well balanced on a 5D2 with battery pack.

Optically it is fantastic, I have no issues with using it wide open.

I was lucky, I think I got it new for about £600, would still buy it even at the £8-900 it would cost today.

[Fume troll]

They look fantastic. I'd have suggested considering the 24-105 too but you've got the longer end covered with your other lens. As one lens to do almost everything it looks great.

Cheers,

FT.

[007singh]

On a crop sensor, I found the 24-70 a little too long for a general walkabout lens. I recently splurged on a 17-55 f2.8, which has the added bonus of IS. Cracking lens, and very well suited to a crop body.

24-70 is also a great lens, but for crop body, the IS and wider range of the 17-55 was the winner for me. Obviously, I go full frame, 24-70 will be my staple walkabout.

Best advice I could give is to try it out and see what you think. You could even hire both for a weekend from lensesforhire.co.uk or such like and test them out.

[85Carrera]

Thanks for the advice. Won't be able to hire one here (Dubai) but will head to a camera shop this weekend with the 20D and try it out with a couple of other suggested options from the shop doorway.