24-105mm L

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Soupz

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Hi guys, thinking of getting a 24-105mm L lens for my 60D. As it's a cropped sensor it should give me a pretty good range, i already have a 10-22mm so that covers the wide angle. Just concerned that on some reviews ive read about an error code appearing, which results in a very expensive bill to put right again. I'd be buying the lens second hand so hence my concern that it might be more likely to occur. Anyone know how common the problem is? Suggest any other lenses?

Also, would i notice much improvement in image quality with a 17-40mm L over the 10-22mm? I would love the 16-35mm L but its abit out of my league at the minute.

Should i consider the 17-55mm 2.8 USM as a do it all lens and forget about the rest of them, is the image quality high enough?

At the minute i mainly do car shoots, so something reasonably wide angle is useful, and im beginning to do some studio type photos of friends. In the summer months i do rallies but i'll address that when the time comes..
 
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I can't comment on on the error code problem but I would suggest you carefully check the IQ. I bought (new) a copy of this lens which was terribly inconsistent in focussing. The supplier changed it without question and the replacement is superb.
 
I got this lens with my 5DMkII at the start of this month. I've used it on my 7D for the first time a couple of weeks ago and its terrific. Focuses fast, great reach on a crop and great quality. It's now a toss up as to which body it goes on now. As regarding the problem, I was on the Canon site yesterday and its only the very early versions with the date codes UT followed by a number under 1,000. These lenses are being repaired by Canon FOC anyway if the problem arises.
 
The 10-20 is great for static car shots, but for moving yes the 24-105 should be good on a crop if you can get close enough (I guess you can with a Rally).
 
Buying a second hand is always a risk but a slim one, I have had a few lenses through my hands mostly second hand and never had a problem but a 24-105 I sold on this forum had worked faultlessly for me for about 4 years since buying it new, then when it was sold it threw up error 99 after 10 days and the new owner had to have it repaired.

It was unfortunate for the new buyer but just making the point that a fault can materialise at any time and s/h goods do not normally come with a guarantee in a private sale.

I would still recommend buying S/H for the savings made, a decent young copy can be had for £550 and less on this forum when you meet the criteria to qualify for access, well worth the wait.

I found the 24-105 a great walkabout coupled to the XXD bodies but coupled to a the 5D MK1/2 full frame was a marriage made in heaven:)
 
I use 24-105 on a crop all the time, it is my go to lens. Fantastic optically and super fast focus which would be relevant for your moving car stuff. 24 on a cropper isnt terribly wide but you have the wide stuff covered so go for it!

Good Luck!
 
To me if you are going to stay with 1.6 crop then a 17-55 F2.8 IS would be a better option. The 10-22 you have is very good, and has a very similar optical design to the 16-35. If you are going to move to full frame at some point in the next year then the 24-105 IS would be a good choice (it is pretty much my body cap). On a crop you might find that 24 is not quite wide enough and having to constantly change lenses can be quite a pain.

I find the AF performance of the 24-105 quite reliable and quick even in low light, but then I mostly try to stick to the centre AF point when it gets dark.
 
Unless you feel you really need the UWA, you could sell it and buy the 17-55mm f2.8.

That would be easier on your pocket, and you'd have one of the sharpest, most versatile lenses available.

Then, when the rallies come, you may find you need a 70-200mm f4 or something similar, and you'll have all you need in two lenses.
 
Wow guys thanks for all the replies! :) Was wondering why nobody had replied but then realised i hadnt activated the reply notification. Doh! lol

I would love to have a look through the classifieds on here but cant get access. How many posts do i need to make? I look at alot of threads on here and appreciate the work, but i dont feel the need to comment on everything and say the same thing over that everybody else has already said. Also dont want to be spamming threads just to get my post count up.

modchild said:
I got this lens with my 5DMkII at the start of this month. I've used it on my 7D for the first time a couple of weeks ago and its terrific. Focuses fast, great reach on a crop and great quality. It's now a toss up as to which body it goes on now. As regarding the problem, I was on the Canon site yesterday and its only the very early versions with the date codes UT followed by a number under 1,000. These lenses are being repaired by Canon FOC anyway if the problem arises.
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Any idea roughly how old them lenses would be? I've found a second hand lens for sale fairly close to me but its 3 years old, does it fall into that catergory? And are you saying that Canon are fixing this problem for free if it occurs?

I only got the 60D in May so i don't intend on changing it in the next year or two. Instead im concentrating now on quality glass, and then it'll be lighting equipment. I had a 400D for 3 years so its a big enough improvement to keep me going for a while.

Theres both a 24-105mm f4 L and a 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM for sale fairly close by to me, and both around the same kind of money. Oh decisions decisions...

On a slight side note, i got a Lowepro Flipside 400 AW today. Bit bigger than i need at the minute but planning ahead. Can't wait to get out and use it. The Flipside is great for rallies because dont have to set the back panel down in the muddy field when accessing gear. It can also be slid around to the front on the waist strap and then opened, making it so much easier to change lenses as you have a base to work from. Seperate pocket is big enough to stash a light coat and some food in, while theres a handy device on the outside for carrying a tri-pod/mono-pod. Looking forward to using it, and filling all those extra lens compartments ;) lol
 
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Any idea roughly how old them lenses would be? I've found a second hand lens for sale fairly close to me but its 3 years old, does it fall into that catergory
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Yeah, the UT date is a lens made at Utsunomiya, Japan (U) in 2005 (T). If you've found one at 3 years old you should be fine, Canon will fix the lenses for free if they are within their date codes even though they are out of warranty. The 24-105 f4 L lens is an absolute cracker for a FF and a crop. Mine's on either one of my bodies all the time now depending on what I'm shooting. If I pick a certain body for a job then the 24-105 will go on the other just in case I need it.
 
The 24-105L is a very versatile lens, I use it both on my 7d and 5D mark II, I definitely wouldnt be without it! Its a great general purpose walk about zoom with very nice image quality overall.:)
 
modchild said:
I was on the Canon site yesterday and its only the very early versions with the date codes UT followed by a number under 1,000. These lenses are being repaired by Canon FOC anyway if the problem arises.
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Stuart, can you post the link for that information please so I can bookmark it.

I can't find it.
 
Soupz said:
Just concerned that on some reviews ive read about an error code appearing, which results in a very expensive bill to put right again. ... Anyone know how common the problem is?
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I think it's likely that I own more copies of the 24-105 than anyone else on TP. (Currently 13 of them, though I've had others in the past too.) I've never experienced, or heard of, this problem. Don't worry about it.
 
StewartR said:
I think it's likely that I own more copies of the 24-105 than anyone else on TP. (Currently 13 of them, though I've had others in the past too.)
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Greedy :lol:
 
I use the 24-105 on my 50d most of the time, it's a great lens, beautifully sharp and has quick AF. I bought it used from MBP and I've never had an error message in over a year. I also have the Canon 10-22, mostly used for landscape pictures. ....these two lenses are a perfect combination IMO.
 
StewartR said:
I think it's likely that I own more copies of the 24-105 than anyone else on TP. (Currently 13 of them, though I've had others in the past too.) I've never experienced, or heard of, this problem. Don't worry about it.
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Lol what on earth do you need 13 copies of the same lens for?

Ok so i was emailing the owner of the 24-105mm, asked him for the date code, he replied with 'UU1209' which i make to be Dec 2006? He had told me the lens was about 3 years old so don't know what to make of that. What's the going rate on a 5 year old (now coming on 6 year old) 24-105mm? Id be more happy paying approx £650 for one that's 2 years old, than approx £500 on one that's 6 years old..
 
Well i can see some people's signatures so i am assuming that it is on, but theres nothing below your posts...

Anyone any thoughts on 2nd hand prices of this lens?
 
Soupz said:
Well i can see some people's signatures so i am assuming that it is on, but theres nothing below your posts...

Anyone any thoughts on 2nd hand prices of this lens?
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Read the thread, Post 6.
 
I have never seen one sold for less than £500 unless faulty.
 
Galaxy66 said:
I have never seen one sold for less than £500 unless faulty.
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There was one on eBay this morning for £500 BIN, it seemed in good condition and seller also seemed genuine but about 2 mins later it was sold.... Not that I need one!
 
Galaxy66 said:
I have never seen one sold for less than £500 unless faulty.
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Well this is why i was asking how much the price varies with age. In post 6 you said a fairly new one would cost £550, so why would anyone pay £500 for one thats 6 or 8 years old?

Anyway, i'll just keep posting until im allowed into the classifieds. Spent a few nights now looking through the forum, definitely a lot of good work on here, few inspiring images that make you just want to get out there and take photos :)
 
Soupz said:
Well this is why i was asking how much the price varies with age. In post 6 you said a fairly new one would cost £550, so why would anyone pay £500 for one thats 6 or 8 years old?
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Because it is not a car or a s/h bicycle we are talking about, photographic equipment especially lenses hold their prices well because in general they are looked after so that is why a lot of people would pay £500 for an older lens.
 
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