Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens Review

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Canon developed the 24-70mm f/2.8L lens as a replacement for the famed L-series 28-70 f/2.8 that became a staple for photographers who wanted to match the image quality of prime lenses with a more versatile zoom lens. Essentially, the 24-70mm is designed to replace an entire range of three fixed focal length lenses by offering identical image quality with the added benefit of versatility.

To improve upon the older 28-70, Canon redesigned the glass elements of the lens, added a new auto-focus processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, and sealed the lens to protect from dust and moisture damage. When used with a Canon 1V, 1D or 1Ds, the 24-70mm forms a dust proof and water tight seal with the camera. Ultimately, the 24-70mm comes close, but fails to match the image quality of professional level prime lenses.

While it is a professional level offering and produces (in the hands of a skilled photographer) professional quality results, it is not a replacement for fixed focal length lenses. The 24-70mm, however, offers a versatility and image quality combination that is excellent for any photographer who cannot waste time changing lenses.

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Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens Features

Standard Zoom Lens
Focal length: 24-70mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Filter Size: 77mm
Optics: 16 Elements in 13 Groups
Canon Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM) provides fast and accurate focusing.
Weight: 950g
Canon EF Mount

What Photographers Like About This Lens

The Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L lens has excellent build quality. Photographers claim that the lens feels sturdier than the older 28-70. The 24-70 also has improved water and dust seals which work flawlessly in conjunction with the Canon 1D and 1V cameras. Additionally, the image quality produced by the optics is flawless and very sharp. The 24-70 is a professional quality lens and produces a professional quality image that is unmatched by other standard zoom lenses.

What Photographers Don’t Like About This Lens

The 24-70 is expensive and worth the price premium for many photographers. Many feel, however, that the goal of lens—to replace traditional high-quality 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm prime lenses—is not met. Losses in image quality from prime lenses to the 24-70 zoom lenses are minute, yet still noticeable by experienced observers. The 24-70 is therefore not the choice for photographers who require the absolute best images. It is definitely more suited to photographers who require the versatility of three prime lenses in a single package and are willing to compromise slightly on image quality. Moreover, many photographers feel that the new 24-70 is not a significant improvement over the older 28-70. These critics advocate that unless you require an extra 4mm of focal length there are no significant advantages of the new lens.

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Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens Suppliers

Our preferred supplier of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens is Amazon.com. They are an authorized reseller of the major brands, they offer free shipping on many products and they are one of the most trusted online photography suppliers today. See below for a current price comparison on this product (updated every 24 hours).

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