Have you thought about or have bought the newer Canon 24-70mm L II lens?

Anyone pick this lens up and have anything to share about it? I would like to know if you had the original 24-70mm and how it compares?

I have one on order. It was ordered by my friend (who is a CPS member) but he decided not to get it because he already has the 24-70 2.8L original and decided he was happy with that and wanted the macro effect the old 24-70 will let him do. This is because to combat focus breathing the 24-70 II is slightly wider at close focus distances than the Mark I (they're about the same at infinity). This causes the 24-70 II to have less magnification at the MFD. The Mark I has a x0.29 magnification and the Mark II has x0.21. This might not sound like a lot, but my friend noticed it and didn't like it. Personally I don't care.

At shorter focal lengths the 24-70 mark ONE generally has a seemingly longer focal length than the Mark II. So you can focus up close have a bit more room on the sides with the mark II (even at 70mm).

Myself I love the sharpness of the 24-70 2.8L II. It's very, very sharp. It's more like the 70-200 2.8L IS II I also own. Prime level sharpness in a zoom! The corners at 24mm are only beaten in sharpness by the 24 TS-E lens. That's pretty amazing... it really kicks the MARK ONE's butt in corner sharpness. The 70-200 at 70mm seems a little sharper. BUt not by a lot.

If you already own a 24-70 2.8L I'd say hold off until it becomes more available and therefore a bit cheaper.

if you don't have either I'd say buy the 24-70 2.8L II.

One thing I don't personally like about the new one is the way the hood sits on the top and doesn't cover the whole zoom area when at the extended range. But I can live with that.

Very much agree with Stealthy Ninja above. I've never personally owned the Mk I, but I've shot with it countless times to know the difference between the two. I'm more than amazed with the improvements in focusing and sharpness, especially in the 24-35mm range.
Never had a chance to test out the TS-E, so can't comment on that, but it's definitely quite on par with the 24mm 1.4L.

If you already own a Mk I, nothing exceptional about this lens to really warrant an upgrade that would probably set you back $1,000. plus all the filters you'd have to replace.


I would like to add too that I'm not too big fan of the hood. It feels like less protection and too much similarity with the 24-105 for my liking!

bennytan wrote: Very much agree with Stealthy Ninja above. I've never personally owned the Mk I, but I've shot with it countless times to know the difference between the two. I'm more than amazed with the improvements in focusing and sharpness, especially in the 24-35mm range.
Never had a chance to test out the TS-E, so can't comment on that, but it's definitely quite on par with the 24mm 1.4L.

If you already own a Mk I, nothing exceptional about this lens to really warrant an upgrade that would probably set you back $1,000. plus all the filters you'd have to replace.


I would like to add too that I'm not too big fan of the hood. It feels like less protection and too much similarity with the 24-105 for my liking!

Yeh it sucks to spend so much on this lens only to have people think it's a kit lens for a 5Diii.

I've seen them around in shops in HK a lot lately. Though I'm still waiting for Canon... my friend (who ordered it) is away in Japan till the 2nd Jan, so I guess I wait and see if it's in when he comes back.