Canon 24-70 f4L opinion please

wardy07

wardy07

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I'm trying to decide if the Canon 24-70 f4L is a better option than the f2.8 version 1?
It's really to bridge the gap in my lenses between 16-35 f4L IS and 70-300 f4-5.6L IS that I already have. I can buy the f4 new or the f2.8 secondhand within my budget.
Landscape on a 5D3 will be it's main function. The reviews I've read seem to send mixed signals so any hands on advice would be welcome.
 
I don't own it but I think it probably is. I have your other 2 lenses and seriously considered buying the F4L but had no interest in the F2.8 (Mk1 or 2) mainly because of weight. It would have replaced a 24-105 which i recently sold. In the end I decided I didn't need to bridge the gap and that my Sigma 50 1.4 would suffice in particular because it is fast, otherwise you can cover the 35-70 gap pretty well with your feet.
 
I was in the same position as you few months ago with the same lenses only I was upgrading my canon 24-105 f4, In the end I decided to bit the bullet and go with the Canon 24-70 f2.8 ii. Which is a brilliant lens and I love it but in retrospect Is probably overkill for an enthusiastic photographer like my self. I think if I was you I would go with the Canon 24-70 f4, this is more than adequate for landscape it has a makro switch and is nice and light and is a better lens than the Canon 24-105 f4. ofc the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 is a brilliant lens too if you can get a good copy as there has been some reports of quality control and soft copy's.
 
The 24-70/4 is a long way behind the quality of the 16-35/4 (I have both). The corners aren't too spectacular and you'll need to stop down a long way to get anything like the sharpness of the 24-70/2.8 MkII. Not one of Canon's greatest achievers in my opinion.

Bob
 
Thank you all for your very helpful replies. I'm leaning towards saving the extra £'s and maybe going for the 24-70 f2.8 mkii but just to throw a spanner in the works, I saw a review recently for the Sigma 24-105 'Art' series lens which allegedly blows the Canon version out of the water - any opinions on this one at all? I know it's a move away from my original thoughts but I'm not fixed on anything right now.
 
I own the the 24-70mm f4 and use it on a 6d and love it easily my most used lens, it's sharp as I need it to be and the macro (although not a true macro) is more than capable. I chose it over the 24-105mm purely on the theory it's a newer lens and design.

Honestly it's a great lens at the price I am not complaining, I feel most L lenses are more than capable than any of us need. I liked the idea of the 2.8 mk1 but mixed reviews and knowing I would end up buying someone else's old workhorse put me off. And the mk2 lovely as it might be I just didn't have the funds to drop on it. Pays your money and takes your pick but in reality they are all great lenses.
 
Is the 24-70 F4 L that much better than the 24-105 F4 L IS? I mean I know its a newer lens, but that doesn't always mean better. Interested to hear from people who have owned and used both.
 
antc said:
Is the 24-70 F4 L that much better than the 24-105 F4 L IS? I mean I know its a newer lens, but that doesn't always mean better. Interested to hear from people who have owned and used both.
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I don't have my 24-105 any longer but I'd put the two lenses about equal....which is disappointing given the advancements over the time gap and the lesser optical contraints of the smaller zoom range.

Bob
 
Canon Bob said:
I don't have my 24-105 any longer but I'd put the two lenses about equal....which is disappointing given the advancements over the time gap and the lesser optical contraints of the smaller zoom range.

Bob
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Cheers Bob, what you say pretty much sums up comments and reviews I have read. I rather like the 24-105L and certainly enjoy the extra range from 70-105. Very useful indeed I find. I would have thought then new 24-70L F4 would have been a similar recipe to the 16-35 F4 L IS. Sadly not, how did they get it so wrong?
 
After reading all the great opinions here I've decided that I'm going to try my 'feet' for the time being and see what, if anything, is missing.
Thank you all for being so helpful and informative.
 
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