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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens
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Showing posts 1 - 8 of 8, (reverse)
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 06/26/2005 03:08:55 PM · #1
I'm considering buying a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens, but I've read several reviews that seem very contradictory. Some people love it, and say it's very sharp, yada, yada. But several other people say they wish they hadn't bought it, that it’s soft, yada, yada.

So, what's a guy to do? :)

Are you happy with yours?

If so, have you used it at its full range of apertures and focal lengths?

If not, what do you dislike about it?

06/26/2005 03:20:24 PM · #2
Happy with mine.

I had softness issues but that's my fault. The dof on 2.8 is very shallow, and I was just shooting too near the subjects. Slight movements, and focus gets off.

One mistake was also shooting with a polarizer under conditions when it didn't belong there. Shutter speed became too slow, and shake was evident.

More usage, for me, yielded better shots, and this can be a very sharp lens. DOF and bokeh is beautiful at less than wide open apertures.

I love the built, the feel and heft of it. Trying out the exact lens you'd end up buying, at the shop, is a good idea, and it might be worth the time to ask to test run more than one copy of the lens.

Some sample shots in my portfolio. Good luck and have fun :)

Message edited by author 2005-06-26 15:22:26.
 06/26/2005 03:34:01 PM · #3
I am happy with it - only had it for a few weeks so I cannot say I have great experience with it. But the experiences I have had are great :-) I find it to be very sharp and produces excellent images. The bokeh is especially good.

My only hangup with it is how heavy it is; takes some getting used to in a lens this short in focal length.

06/26/2005 03:43:32 PM · #4
I have used it in two weddings and I love that lens. I do recommend it and it is on my shopping list.

Regards,
Fannsi

Message edited by author 2005-06-26 15:46:39.
 06/26/2005 03:44:45 PM · #5
i love mine!!
 06/26/2005 03:50:07 PM · #6
If you've not already, check out the user reviews on Fred Miranda, there's a lot of them!

From my experience cons of 'heavy' and 'price' come with the L-range territory. Also bear in mind most people buying the top-end lenses will have slightly more exacting expectations.

If you look at the list of zooms ordered by "popularity" (actually, score), the 24-70 comes out pretty high - 10th.
 06/26/2005 05:47:36 PM · #7
From all of the reviews I've read, it seems that buying this lens is a crapshoot. Several people mention trying multiple copies of this lens with varying results. Some mention poor quality control, with new lenses having internal scratches in the glass, dust, and even mould growing inside the lens. Some say the lens is so soft as to be totally unusable, and yet others say it is very sharp, even wide open.

With a lens this expensive, I would expect even naysayers to report good build quality, and at least moderate photo quality. Unfortunately, many do not. It seems that there may indeed be a problem with the QC on this lens. If you get a "good" copy, then you will probably be happy with the lens. But, if you get a "bad" copy, then you'll be sorry that you bought it. The problem is, where and how can I get a "good" copy? I usually buy through B&H or Adorama, and if I get a bad copy then it could get expensive to have to send it back, especially if I have to do it more than once to get a good copy.

I'm going to have to think about this for a while I guess.

Thanks for your input everybody.

06/26/2005 07:33:36 PM · #8
Originally posted by micknewton:
From all of the reviews I've read, it seems that buying this lens is a crapshoot. Several people mention trying multiple copies of this lens with varying results. Some mention poor quality control, with new lenses having internal scratches in the glass, dust, and even mould growing inside the lens. Some say the lens is so soft as to be totally unusable, and yet others say it is very sharp, even wide open.

With a lens this expensive, I would expect even naysayers to report good build quality, and at least moderate photo quality. Unfortunately, many do not. It seems that there may indeed be a problem with the QC on this lens. If you get a "good" copy, then you will probably be happy with the lens. But, if you get a "bad" copy, then you'll be sorry that you bought it. The problem is, where and how can I get a "good" copy? I usually buy through B&H or Adorama, and if I get a bad copy then it could get expensive to have to send it back, especially if I have to do it more than once to get a good copy.

I'm going to have to think about this for a while I guess.

Thanks for your input everybody.


I purchased mine through Amazon.com, I must say that I am very happy with my lens. I bought it through Amazon, because of the free shipping and NO TAX. That's about $130 savings.

I was lucky to have received a good copy, but if I had to return it the shipping would not be so bad.

Good Luck!!
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