Canon 24-105 IS f4 L V 24-70 f2.8L

[geoffL]

Am currently in a fix deciding what to do and would appreciate views...

I currently use a 5D Mk2 with a 24-105 L for weddings and portraits. I also have a 70-200 f2.8IS.

My prob is that I find the 24-105 quite soft until I get down to about f6.3 with it. F4 seems really soft in comparison.

I'm therefore wondering if the24-70 would be sharper on the basis than even if I stopped it down a bit (to F4 say) it would give me a faster setting than at present.

I would lose a bit on the length and also lose IS.

Any experience with the 2 lenses and thoughts on my reasoning?

[digitravel]

I havent really found any great difference between the 2 in sharpness and although the 24-70 does give you the extra stop I think the images from the camera are really pretty noise free at higher iso to compensate, 24-105 does vingette a little more wide open but quite easily rectified.I also think the 24-105 is better balanced on the 5d and certainly easier to lug around all day. The extra 35mm makes it a more versatile lens for portraits as well. A bugger to lose IS also.

[geoffL]

I ha had this lens about 18 months and do wonder if my copy of this lens isn't the sharpest which is my biggest driver. I've done the micro adjust t improve it the best I can but as I said it's still quite soft untill stopped down.

Never sent a lens back to Canon for checking but am considering it. Any idea what it is likely to cost and if it is likely to improve it much?

[digitravel]

The best thing would be to ring 01206 84 33 22 and get a quote. I dont believe its that expensive, Ive known 2 people have lens/camera calibrated and both said it turned a lens they wanted to destroy into ones they loved. Also have you adjusted properly, there is a good article here .

[geoffL]

The best thing would be to ring 01206 84 33 22 and get a quote. I dont believe its that expensive, Ive known 2 people have lens/camera calibrated and both said it turned a lens they wanted to destroy into ones they loved. Also have you adjusted properly, there is a good article here .

Thanks for the info - really useful - will look into it.
Cheers

Geoff

[Rupert49]

Am currently in a fix deciding what to do and would appreciate views...

I currently use a 5D Mk2 with a 24-105 L for weddings and portraits. I also have a 70-200 f2.8IS.

My prob is that I find the 24-105 quite soft until I get down to about f6.3 with it. F4 seems really soft in comparison.

I'm therefore wondering if the24-70 would be sharper on the basis than even if I stopped it down a bit (to F4 say) it would give me a faster setting than at present.

I would lose a bit on the length and also lose IS.

Any experience with the 2 lenses and thoughts on my reasoning?

For what it's worth Geoff I have 24-105, 24-70 and 70-200 f2.8 IS (oh, and a 5D MkII). I would say that the 24-70 has the edge on the 24-105 for sharpness at the sweet spot apertures (just short of f/2.8). As was mentioned elsewhere, of course you lose IS, but with your 5D MkII you can afford to whack the ISO up to 800 wthout any discernible noise at A4 print size.

I'm doing a wedding in August and I plan to have the 24-70 on my MkII and the 70-200 on my MkI ... hopefully that should cover all the bases! Otherwise for a general walkabout lens the 24-105 is a great all rounder .. I just wish it went to 135mm and opened to f/2.8

[FidelZastro]

I would use the 70-200 with the MkII, since you are going to need higher sensitivities to avoid camera shake.

I often heard the 28-70 2.8 L was way sharper wide open than its successor, maybe this lens should be considered, too? Of course, there is no possibility to get a new and unused copy, but maybe this is what the TO is looking for...

[geoffL]

I would use the 70-200 with the MkII, since you are going to need higher sensitivities to avoid camera shake.

I often heard the 28-70 2.8 L was way sharper wide open than its successor, maybe this lens should be considered, too? Of course, there is no possibility to get a new and unused copy, but maybe this is what the TO is looking for...

Interesting. The extra length to 105 is certainly useful. I'm considering getting my 24-105 calibrated by Canon to see if that improves it as if I could get sharper results from it that would be my first choice. If not I'll look into the ideas above.

I also have 5D mk2 and a 5D. Trouble is I love the mk2 so much that while I take the 5D with me as backup I tend to stick on the mk2 swapping lenses rather than use the 2 bodies together.... One problem with an upgrade - you then become dis-satisfied with your original.....

[willie45]

I have the mk2 and the 24=105. I can't imagine it wouldn't be sharp enough for you. You would be giving up a lot to lose IS and the extra range as well as the lightness of this lens if you're standing with it for hours on end, IMHO. The fact that you can whack up the ISO with your camera is also an argument that the f4 is plenty fast enough, particularly with IS. The only advantage I can see of the 2.8 lens is the shallower DOF.

I reckon you should get yours sent back to Canon if it really isn't doing the job.

There is a comparison which might be of interest here This is quite a useful article and might influence your decision.

Willie

[geoffL]

Thanks for comments - have contacted canon and they have asked me to return it for testing. Will let you know what happens when it comes back..........

[canoneos30d]

Hi Geoff,

I also own Canon 24-105 F4L IS USM. It is tack sharp on my Canon 30D and EOS 1D Mark II. I haven't owned a Canon 24-70 F2.8 but I have borrowed from my friend to test. I could see that my 24-105 F4L is as sharp as 24-70 and focus is right on spot. My friend's 24-70 is a little bit front focus but it is in the acceptable range.

My pictures are sharp from even F4 at all focal length. Even though it doesn't produce a nice bokeh like 24-70, you can still get pretty much soft and creamy bokeh at focal length around 90-105 at F4.

If you want to check my pictures, please let me know your email so that I can send it to you for checking out. I use my 24-105 F4L on both Canon 30D and EOS 1D Mark II and I am pleased with that lens. Since my cameras are old and it doesn't have microadjustment, I have to rely on the lens precision.

My email: Please see forum rules and guidelines

Probably, you could send your lens back to Canon for re-calibrate while your lens still has warranty.

Tam