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EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
This new lens does what many pros thought couldn't be done - replace the previous L-series 28-70 f/2.8 lens with something even better. Extended coverage to an ultra-wide-angle 24mm makes it ideal for digital as well as film shooters, and the optics are even better than before with two Aspherical elements and a totally new UD glass element. It's now sealed and gasketed against dust and moisture, and a new processing unit makes the AF faster than ever.
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Average Customer Rating:
out of
5
28 out of 32(88%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Review 1 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
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Price/Value
4
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Quality
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Nickname: Richard
Location: Georgia
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Look at another lens for pro lens
Date: March 6, 2010
Pros: Superior build quality
Cons: Semi-sharp images
I thought this would be my favorite lens. I should have tested this lens to make sure it was sharp from 24 to 70. I have used it on a interior architecture job and used the 24mm to 30mm most of the time. the images were not sharp. thought it was me, since then I have done a test and found the 70mm sharp, but at the wider end it failed every test I did. I like canon products and customer service. The lens is built well, fast zoom, but would not consider a pro len. I will have to let this lens go, but I love my 70-200 2.8 IS lens.
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
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5
Features
5
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Performance
5
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Price/Value
4
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Quality
5
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5
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Nickname: Someone
Location: Orange county, CA
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
An amazing lens
Date: January 27, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
The canon 24- 70 L is an amazing lens that envelops the best quality with a very useful focal range. THe focal length is great on a full frame, but the wide end is a bit lacking in the case of APSC cameras. In terms of Image quality the lens performs incredibly. The image quality is also on par with the 70 - 200 2.8 (non is) L. The build quality is the other amazing part of this lens. It is very solid, and the the moisture resitance is also very helpful.. Even in light rain the lens has not had any problems whatsoever. The lens hood is nice that it comes with the camera, which is canons biggest problem with non L lenses. The reverse zoom system of this lens takes a little getting used to, but otherwise it performs beautifully.
The AF is another point which is in this lenses favor. The front element does not rotate, which is a very useful thing to have. Furthermore the USM motor is very fast and quick, which works well in instances such as sports.
The AF is another point which is in this lenses favor. The front element does not rotate, which is a very useful thing to have. Furthermore the USM motor is very fast and quick, which works well in instances such as sports.
Overall, the canon 24- 70 2.8 L is a great lens for a variety of purposes, and when coupled with the 70 - 200 provides a very good base focal length for most photography.
This, however, is all expected, since canon makes amazing products for every level. If this lens did not do everything it does it would be a unexpected. Keep it up Canon.
I would highly recommend this lens, in spite of the price, since the quality and other aspects definitely justify the price.
11 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
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5
Features
5
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Performance
5
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Price/Value
5
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5
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Nickname: JD
Location: Pennsylvania
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
A good copy is INCREDIBLE!
Date: December 11, 2009
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: blurry images (first 100 shots)
My first copy of the 24-70 f/2.8L was very blurry and the zoom had an awful feel with a grinding sound… so it was sent back for replacement. Got the second copy a few days ago and the first thing I noticed was a silky smooth zoom – so far so good! However, the image quality was very disappointing – some shots were better than the first copy, but others were even worse. Testing was performed on a tripod with mirror lockup and 10-sec timer, so the lens was absolutely still during the shot. From five feet away, the lens would (inconsistently) front focus between 1 and 5 inches. At longer distances the lens performed much better, but still a little softer than I had hoped for. I was very close to sending this lens back for a third copy… but decided to try sending it to Canon for repair/calibration instead. I thought it would be a good idea to get some “scientific” data of the focus errors before sending it to Canon, so I would have something to compare it to after repair.
This is when the unexpected happened… the first few shots I took for the test were amazingly sharp! Took a bunch more and they were sharp too – every single one! I’m talking sharpness that approaches that of my 70-200 f/4L IS! Color and contrast is also fantastic! I’m not sure what happened – I didn’t bump, tap, or drop the lens… it just started working! It was like it transformed into a completely different lens! I’ve taken over 200 shots since it “transformed” – from 1.5 to 150 feet, inside, outside, dim light, bright light, wide open, and stopped down – and every image is razor sharp! Even with the hassles this lens has put me through, the images I’m seeing from it now make it worth every penny!
19 of 22 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
4
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Nickname: rockee123
Location: San Diego, CA
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Fantastic Standard L Zoom!!!
Date: November 25, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, beautiful colors and contrast
This is just the best standard zoom Canon has to offer. Used the world round by pros and enthusiasts alike, this thing is super sharp, with great color, sweet bokeh, the best all around lens for full frame shooters. I've paired it with my 5D Mark II, and it has created the money making shots I expected it to. Of course it doesn't have IS, but then again, it would probably weigh even more if they added IS. The day a 24-70mm f/2.8L IS is available, I will move heaven and earth to get that lens, but until that day, the 24-70mm is the professionals choice. Shoot pro magazine/product/wedding/portrait shots with this lens and you with never look back. Along with the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, and you've got the Canon L glass pair from heaven. I look forward to the next L glass purchase, but I know the 24-70mm L will stay on my Camera for every shooting situation I find myself in.
12 of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
4
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5
Performance
5
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Price/Value
4
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Quality
5
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Nickname: Lamont
Location: Tennessee
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Excellent Lens
Date: November 25, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, the standard for this range
Cons: no is
I got this lens a month ago or so and I am very glad that I did. I had a cheaper alternative in a similar range made by a 3rd party company and I also had the 24-105L at one point in time and this lens is better then either. The 24-105L is great but the images from this lens are just better to me. Anyone who is seriously into photography should own this lens. Absolutely fantastic image & build quality.
8 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
4
out of
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Performance
4
out of
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Price/Value
3
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
4
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Nickname: VOX Photo
Location: California
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Excellent All-To-Do Lens
Date: November 7, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality
Cons: Slow auto-focus
Got it in 2007 and so far making my living out of it. (Of course I own other Canon "L" lens as well)
Love the quality of the images and its easy focusing.
Dropped it more than 6 times and still performing like new!
Good lens for the beginner and those everyday all-to do projects.
Fit perfectly every where and gives you a decent range of action.
If you are a pro you'd like to have it as part of your arsenal.
Love the quality of the images and its easy focusing.
Dropped it more than 6 times and still performing like new!
Good lens for the beginner and those everyday all-to do projects.
Fit perfectly every where and gives you a decent range of action.
If you are a pro you'd like to have it as part of your arsenal.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Performance
2
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Quality
2
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Satisfaction
1
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Nickname: Andy
Location: Richmond, VA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Too heavy and bulky
Date: November 4, 2009
I have owned two of these lenses for the past eight years starting with the D10, and D20. I had nothing but bad results with the lens. Out of focus and down-right unusable images. Sold the first 24mm-70 and purchased a D30 with the 17mm-35mm 2.8 IS lens. The 17-35 is awesome and I am still using it. Purchased another 27mm-70mm 2.8 and still having the same trouble I was having with the first 24mm-70 2.8 lens. The lens is too big and too heavy to hold firm. I am not a small person or a weak person and I find it hard to hold that blukly lens to get a sharp image. The lens is too big, too heavy and too bulky.
12 of 98 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: PD
Location: Cincinnati
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
This Lens Is Nuts
Date: November 2, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, brilliant hood design to work with 24mm
It seems ludicrous to "review" tis lens as if it has to live up to some standard. It IS the standard, this thing rivals prime lenses in all aspects. I shoot a 5D Mark II and own several L lenses, all f2.8, and this 24-70mm is best in class image quality-wise. I've had it for a week and from day one I marveled at the image quality. Don't toy with the 24-105mm, the f/4 series of lenses is very good, but it's not WHOA. Buy up to the 24-70mm and have that WHOA back in your images. BTW, it's heavy. No pain, no gain. ;-)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Floyd
Location: Omaha
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Highly Recommended
Date: October 27, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, water tight
A couple of years ago I purchased one of Scott Kelby's Digital photography books, and he highly recommended this lense. At the time I was using the original digital rebel and only dreamed of using such a fantastic lense. Well I decided to upgrade my equipment and I started with the Canon 5d Mark II. I didn't buy a lense with the camera. I knew I wanted this lense instead of the 24 -105. So I test drove both. When it came to deciding I figured since I was already paying a premium price for either lense and that I could have the F2.8 instead of the F4 for just a bit more dough I had to have it. I purchased it last February 2009 and I am overjoyed how well it has performed. I have since purchased the Canon180 mm L Macro as well as the 70-200 2.8L IS because of this lense. The quality of the Canon L cannot be beat. I was caught in a down power in the mountains with this lense and my camera on a tripod. I quickly coverd both but needless to say they were wet. The seals on both camera and lense were never compromised. This is the real deal and you will always be glad you spent a little more for the results.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Cups and Balls
Location: Houston, TX
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Exactly what I needed!
Date: October 23, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, minimal distortion
I purchased this lens two months ago. I have been taking photographs for my museum for some time now, and have had problems with distortion from cheaper lenses. I put this lens on my 40D, and the distortion went away. Some may find this lens a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for. I could purchase three or four less expensive lenses for what I paid for this one, but I would still have all the distortion that I have been trying to get rid of. If you want to take really sharp, clean, accurate photos, you need a lens like this.
Some may also find that there isn't much depth of field at f2.8. That's normal for any camera lens. I was able to achieve excellent depth of field by stopping the lens down to the f 16 - f 18 range. Between the 40D and this wonderful lens, I'm taking better pictures than ever before.
I'll let you know how it works on my new 7D!
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Brokenlens
Location: Moorefield, West Virginia
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
The best mid-range zoom available, period.
Date: October 17, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, clever reverse-zoom action, deep hood that prevents vignetting
Cons: expensive
Good indoors and out. Sharp, saturated images from edge to edge, on APS-C as well as Full Frame bodies. Very fast, deadly accurate autofocus, even in low light. The bokeh produced in shallow depth of field shots is amazing.
I earn my living with my cameras, and I can depend on this lens to deliver consistently sharp images under any conditions. My wife is frequently my second shooter, so I bought one for her as well. She rarely takes this exceptional glass off of her 40D.
Some say the weight is a disadvantage, but to the contrary, I find that the mass of this lens helps to hold my camera stable. I took hand-held shots in the very low light of Ripley's Aquarium, and most were keepers.
The zoom extension moves inside of the hood when extended. The lens is cleverly designed such that it is fully extended within the hood when at its widest angles, and retracted at the tele end. This keeps the front element positioned toward the front in the hood perfectly, preventing vignetting at wide angles. When at around 70mm, the front element is deep within the hood, as it should be.
The only thing I will knock this lens for is the price. But then, I think everything is overpriced. I can't argue with the fact that I indeed got everything that I paid for when I purchased two of these lenses.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Falling for L
Location: NJ
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Great Lens
Date: July 8, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
Cons: heavy
Upgraded from the 18-55mm IS kit lens to this. Huge difference (but if you're looking into L-series lenses, you already know that!). I love the wide aperture, and only slightly miss the IS. Below 40mm though you'd never know the difference.
Amazing colors (occasionally I've had to desaturate images in post processing to make them look "normal", that's how vibrant this lens is). Excellent sharpness which also responds well to a bit of sharpening in post processing when necessary. Bokeh is excellent as well.
The lens is somewhat heavy, but not overly so for a f/2.8 aperture and quality metal construction. Haven't had to rely on the weather sealing yet, but it's nice to know it's there. Would definitely recommend this lens to others looking to cover 50mm and similar ranges.
44 of 46 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
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Price/Value
5
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5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Sleepy
Great
Date: July 1, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
I took this lens on vacation with me and with one exception of wanting to get tight on on a pitcher at Busch Stadium this lens never came off my 50D! It went from the Arch to Busch stadium to some fountains outside my hotel and fountains at union center! i love this lens my best purchase (other than my camera!)
5 of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
4
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Satisfaction
3
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Nickname: Dee
Location: San Francsico Bay Area
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Close to great
Date: June 27, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
Cons: mushy corners at the wide end, big and heavy
Stopped down a bit, this is a great lens from about 30mm-60mm. 70mm is very good. The wide end is really good except my copy has pretty rapid fall off in sharpness at the extreme corners. If not for this, this could have been a truly great lens
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: someone
Location: Irvine, Ca
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
The best general purpose lens.
Date: June 7, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
Cons: expensive
This lens, the canon 24 - 70 2.8 L is a phenomenal lens. The f 2.8 gives me greater flexibility to shoot without flash. The lens is heavy when attached to a rebel xti, it tends to pull the tripod down a bit. Although not as heavy as the canon 70 - 200 2.8 L non IS. It is however worth every dollar. The images taken with this lens are very sharp and the USM focusing motor is very quick. Overall a great lens and an excellent companion to the 70 - 200 2.8.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
out of
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: YAGIT80
Location: SAN DIEGO, CA
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: No
WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!
Date: May 4, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
Cons: little heavy
SIMPLY THE BEST FOR EVERYDAY AND ALL AROUND LENS! MY VERY FIRST LENS AS A BEGINNER AND IT'S PERFECT!!!!
12 of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
1
out of
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Nickname: Mr Stephen
Location: Orlnado, FL
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Back Focus Problems
Date: April 12, 2009
Pros: Superior build quality
Cons: Slow auto-focus, back focus
I use this lens on a full sensor 5d Mark ii. This is a very versatile lens. It has wonderful color production and is very sharp in manual mode. The auto focus feature back focuses constantly! This is a common thing i have found in many other reviews of this lens. My zoom wheel is also extremely difficult to turn from 24-40mm range.
31 of 42 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
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5
Quality
5
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5
Satisfaction
4
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Nickname: L-mo
Location: Gallatin, TN
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Excellent Lens
Date: March 30, 2009
Pros: Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
EL 24-70 is a great lens, though it's not as sharp as f/4 L series lenses like the 24-105 or 70-200 f/4, I am guessing this is because of it's speed and higher color quality.
Also IS would be great but that didn't stop me buying it a year ago because of it's focal length. At 24-70 "IS" is no big deal. By looking at the pricing between the IS and non IS identical lenses, this lens should be a little bit cheaper though considering it's limiting focal length coverage and no IS.
Also IS would be great but that didn't stop me buying it a year ago because of it's focal length. At 24-70 "IS" is no big deal. By looking at the pricing between the IS and non IS identical lenses, this lens should be a little bit cheaper though considering it's limiting focal length coverage and no IS.
11 of 19 people found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Pappy
Location: Albany, NY
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Excellent primary lens
Date: March 5, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
Rec'd from supplier, ran 30 or so test images and worked a three day assignment with lens as my primary "L" lens. As usual, Canon's "L" lenses make the best images. Lens is used in conjunction with my old 20-35 and 80-200 "L" lenses on a 5D body and 40D body. This new lens matches or exceeds the aforementioned in construction, sharpness and workability. Very satisfied!
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
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Nickname: wjd635
Location: NYC & NJ
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
first L
Date: February 22, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, excellent color
I have four canon lenses that are broken, from the kit lens to a 29-135IS. I decided it was time to try a 'sealed' lens.
My daily workplace is a large deep construction site, dust rain and mud!
the pictures are sharp and clear, colors accurate and vibrant. I'd gotten spoiled with the IS, but this lens makes up for that!! I have not had to 'unsharpen mask' any pics from this lens, the raw and jpg from my 40D are clear and sharp.
the range is shorter than I was used to, but the optical quality is outstanding.
AF is quick, quiet and precise, has not hunted yet even in very poor light.
not a fauly or complaint yet!
My daily workplace is a large deep construction site, dust rain and mud!
the pictures are sharp and clear, colors accurate and vibrant. I'd gotten spoiled with the IS, but this lens makes up for that!! I have not had to 'unsharpen mask' any pics from this lens, the raw and jpg from my 40D are clear and sharp.
the range is shorter than I was used to, but the optical quality is outstanding.
AF is quick, quiet and precise, has not hunted yet even in very poor light.
not a fauly or complaint yet!
23 of 23 people found this review helpful.
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