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OntheRez wrote:
I imagine that somewhere in some perhaps mythical universe a stunning new 24-105 f/4.0 will appear According to all the expert rumor mongers this 2nd coming is nigh. I haven't a clue. Still supposing if (when) this event happens, I can't see how it would devalue your apparently excellent 24-70. (I'll also confidently predict that the reincarnation of the 105 will be more expensive than the current 24-70 f/4.0 and 24-105 f/4.0), if only because the marketing droids would go nuts about not charging more for more and the sales of the new 105 will destroy the older 70.
The two lenses don't have the exact same use, though of course there is much overlap. I've been thinking about that 30mm and have been doing a bit of "scientific" experimentation. My only way to do this (I don't have a 105) was to put my current 24-70 and my 70-200 (both f/2.8) successively on a tripod pointed at an object 40' away. The 24-70 was at max focal length while I limited the 70-200 to 105 (or as close as I could get it). Took 3 shots with both.
Looking at the pix it's easy to see that 105 resolves to more magnified image compared to the 70. (If it didn't I'd be out applying for a Nobel in physics The cost of the "reach" is, of course, a loss in field of view. Curious (yes, I get in a lot of trouble),I returned to the "test site" to determine how far back I'd have to go to get a similar reach to the 105. Seems to be 2-3 steps.
Examining these pix with the original 105 ones, I'll round it up and say it is a 3 "step" difference to get the same field of view. Of course, the 105 still has a theoretical improvement in detail as it is designed to do so.
I compared the snaps from both lenses blown up to 100% and frankly the difference in detail was very hard to see. The one uncontrolled variable in this experiment is that the 70-200 is Canon's latest version and there's no doubt that its optics are superior to the venerable 24-70 whose origins are nearly lost in the mists of time.
So my guess? All things being equal (which of course they never are): price, IQ, weight, handling, etc., then the "new" 24-105 f/4.0 would definitely devalue the new 24-70 f/4.0. Call me a cynic, but I find it hard to believe that Canon would market a "new improved" version of a lens that would cannibalize sales of a slightly earlier "new and improved" one with very similar capabilities.
Robert
(To those who are wondering why/how this dude had so much time to waste on a trivial experiment, let's just say at 107°F I'm not doing any carpentry, and I made sure I was in the shade. ...Show more →
Let's dispose of the notion of "cannibalization", shall we?
There are plenty of examples of overlapping of focal lengths and features in any manufacturers' lineups, and plenty more of newer, better versions replacing old ones.
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