24-105 questions

FM Forum Rules
Canon SLRs, primes, and zooms lenses reviews

FM Forums \| Canon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
1 2 end

Archive 2009 · 24-105 questions

sole
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · 24-105 questions

Hi,
I'm looking forwards to buy 24 - 105 f/4 and i would like to know about it more

i know that there are reviews, but i wanted to ask if something depends on witch camera do you have (i own canon 450d). I'm asking because my cam isn't professional and that lens is. and i wanna ask if the UV filter is needed on that lens, cause I've read somewhere that you don't need filter necessary if you are using hood. alright, thanks for reading and answering

Nov 14, 2009 at 01:42 PM

Matt Philbin
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · 24-105 questions

Despite the fact that it is an "L" lens (arguements will follow here), it is probably one of the most "amateur friendly" lenses out there. You won't need a tremendous amount of experience or practice to get good images from it, or a pro body for that matter. I am in the 24-105 fan club for general "walk around" and "semi-macro" shooting, and I shoot with a 40D (insert European translation here). As for the U/V filter, this is a commonly disputed issue. All I will say is that I don't use them on all my lenses due to good protection from lens hoods, but this is one lens that I do use one on. The hood is "ok" but won't do much to protect the front from fingerprints, cake frosting, or other things that my 2- and 5- year old often get into. It's a very good lens for what it's intended for, and you'll likely be very happy with it.

Nov 14, 2009 at 01:51 PM

Binh Ly
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · 24-105 questions

it will work fine on your 450d. yeah good idea to spend on the lenses - just upgrade your body later when you know you have reached its limitations. the 24-105 is probably my mostly used lens and i do a lot of landscape shooting. i generally don't put a uv filter on mine except when i am shooting out near the sea - to prevent spray/salt from the front area.

Nov 14, 2009 at 01:58 PM

sole
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · 24-105 questions

thanks for your answers. i would like to know more about these fan clubs

where i can read about them or look photos?

Nov 14, 2009 at 02:13 PM

Matt Philbin
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #5 · 24-105 questions

I was kidding about the fan club. It's a controversial lens, where many seem to feel it doesn't deserve the "L" designation. I was just expressing that I'm in the group that feels it does. Click on the link for almost 11,000 images taken with this lens...

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_24-105_4l_is_usm

Nov 14, 2009 at 02:16 PM

reno.peterson
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #6 · 24-105 questions

The 24-105L was my replacement for the very capable 28-135 IS. As Matt makes the statement that some people don't feel the "L" fits this lens, I can also say it "Fits" it very well. I'm not a 20 year veteran photographer who began with the Red Ringed lenses, but I know what I like also. The shots I get with this lens are very consistent on any camera I've used it on from my 30D, 40D to 5D and 1D, and many Rebels and film cameras in the mix somewhere along the way. The build quality is very solid, the focus and zoom rings are both feel nice and operate very smoothly. I have only one other "L" lens right now, and it's at least 10 years the senior to my 24-105L, while not both of the exact same build, don't let anyone "tell" you not to get it because they don't think it's up to standard. Try it yourself and you be your judge. And if the one you're buying doesn't have a Hood/Shade, I highly recommend spending the extra $$$ to get one!!

As far as protective filters, I don't like them on a regular basis, but I do have a few for the rare occasion. Putting another piece of glass between the last native element and your subject creates a variable(not usually the biggest) but there have been images and situations where I have gotten some undesirable results with one. If you're going to get one, however, be smart and get a Multi-Coated, reflections can often RUIN your image!!! The extra money will take care of many of those results I spoke of!!! I learned the hard way...

My $.02 is in the pot now...FWIW anyway...

Edited on Nov 14, 2009 at 02:33 PM · View previous versions

Nov 14, 2009 at 02:31 PM

jrscls
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · 24-105 questions

The 24-105 is a very nice lens for both my 5D II and 40D. The UV filter is a personal decision, I use the Hoya Pro 1 Clear Protector on mine. Enjoy the new lens.

Nov 14, 2009 at 02:33 PM

Ian.Dobinson
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · 24-105 questions

Love it to bits on my 40D. It may not totally deserve "L" status in some minds but I find it sharp wide open at all focal lengths and the colour and contrast are great. I went from a 28-70L to this as that lens went funny when I changed body.
Not to sure I would pay full new price for it as there are many around 2nd hand of which alot will not have had much use from buyers of the 5d kit.
I paid £600 for mine in as new condition

Nov 14, 2009 at 03:02 PM

michael49
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #9 · 24-105 questions

Only two downfalls of this lens in my view.

1. Distortion on the wide end, mostly on FF.

2. Sometimes the bokeh isn't very pleasing.

But this lens is very sharp with excellent colors and contrast. If your copy doesn't fit this profile then it needs a trip to Canon.

Here's mine at 105mm wide open (f/4) - supposedly this is the "weak point" of this lens....

......

Nov 14, 2009 at 03:21 PM

gdanmitchell
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · 24-105 questions

sole wrote:
Hi,
I'm looking forwards to buy 24 - 105 f/4 and i would like to know about it more

The 24-105 is one of several excellent lenses that can cover more or less this focal length range. If your low light issue is more about holding the camera steady than about stopping moving subjects, the IS feature can get you several stops of low light performance.

The lens works well on any of the Canon DSLR bodies - it doesn't matter if the body is your 450D or a 1-Series body.

The usefulness of the lens varies depending on other factors including your own shooting style, what other lenses you might also own, and whether you have a cropped sensor body (like your 450D) or a full frame body.

On your camera this lens does not provide any significant wide angle coverage at all. 24mm is barely wider than "normal" in the view of many photographers. If the 24-105 will be your main or only lens, be aware that you will give up wide angle coverage.

I am no fan of UV "protection" filters: http://www.gdanmitchell.com/2007/12/27/uv-filter-or-not

Dan

Nov 14, 2009 at 05:47 PM

WilliamG
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #11 · 24-105 questions

I love my 24-105. It's the absolute perfect walkaround lens for a full-fame body.

Nov 14, 2009 at 06:51 PM

furiousangel
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · 24-105 questions

I have the 28-135mm IS and I can say that the 24-105 images are more sharp and have better contrast. As others have mentioned, it's a good walk-around lens due to its focal range, but as for getting good results, it really depends on what you're shooting. I think for brightly lit subjects, landscape and architecture, this lens does a good job.

However, I've been recently shooting candids of people in indoor settings with and without external flash and I find the F4 to be too slow for this. I end up having to bump up my ISO to 3200 sometimes in order to get the shot if I'm using without flash. Luckily, I have a 50mm f/1.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 to overcome this but I hate having to carry all the extra lenses. (I'm wondering if the 24-70 f/2.8 would be a better lens for me)

Again, maybe it's technique as I'm still learning but given the low light situation, the F4 is too slow. As a result, I'm sorta mixed about this lens.

Nov 14, 2009 at 11:21 PM

sculpin
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · 24-105 questions

It's a great lens. I use it on a Canon 40D. I bought a B&W filter to protect this valuable investment. I take it off from time to time but don't notice a big difference in image quality. Enjoy the lens.

Mike

Nov 14, 2009 at 11:36 PM

michael49
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #14 · 24-105 questions

furiousangel wrote:
....

However, I've been recently shooting candids of people in indoor settings with and without external flash and I find the F4 to be too slow for this....

Without a flash, I consider the 24-105 to be an outdoor lens and that's where I use it.

Indoors, I use primes - 50 f/1.4 and 100 f/2

Nov 14, 2009 at 11:55 PM

sole
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · 24-105 questions

Hey guys, thanks for your posts

it helps me a lot. i agree with you that f/4 is to slow, but if i buy speed lite after, i think it would be excellent. and for wide angle coverage i still have my old kit lens 18-55, i know that it's not perfect lens, but i don't have money for everything in one time, maybe I'll buy wide angel lens after buying this lens and speed lite

Nov 15, 2009 at 10:57 AM

rextter
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · 24-105 questions

I'm a big fan of the 24-105L and use it for weddings. Never lets you down.

Nov 15, 2009 at 12:14 PM

sole
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #17 · 24-105 questions

and one more question: maybe someone knows where i can sompare two lenses?

Nov 15, 2009 at 03:32 PM

Mark Peters
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #18 · 24-105 questions

If you are not planning on moving up to a 1D or 5D body in the near future you should consider the EF-s 17-55/2.8 IS as well. It's range may be much more useful for you on the 1.6 crop factor body - especially if you notice that you use the 18mm end of your kit lens alot.

I own the 24-105/4L IS and I like it alot. On a full frame 5D it is an excellent walk around. 24 is wide enough for most things for me, and the 105 is nice bit of reach. However, on a 1/6 crop the wide end now is a 35mm equivalent of 38.4.

As to where you can compare two lenses - without going to a store that has both, try this site: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?FLI=0&API=0&Sample=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0&LensComp=355&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&Lens=398

Nov 15, 2009 at 03:43 PM

abam
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · 24-105 questions

i'm a big fan of protective filters, especially when canon says that they're necessary to complete the environmental sealing of the lens - like with the 24-105.

"...note that Canon recommends a UV filter for complete weather sealing on this lens." - the digital picture

Nov 15, 2009 at 03:55 PM

RobertLynn
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #20 · 24-105 questions

The 24-105 is an excellent lens, and one that will hold it's value should you choose to sell it. I think that it's a step in the serious amateur/professional direction. I'm not saying that because it's a "pro" lens, that it will make all of your shots better. I'm just saying, when you're considering spending thismuch money on something, that you're taking what you do, whether a hobby, or profession, seriously.

Abam, he's using a rebel, and therefore the "weather sealing" is moot for him. You are correct though, for the "complete" weather seal, it's a protective filter on the lens, and the lens on a 1 series body.

I used to use filters, but now my UV filters are just collecting dust. I was anal about touching the front element of my lens. I was giving a "lesson" and the one guy in the group kept cleaning his lens, like every few minutes. I told him that this was completely unnecessary, and demonstrated by taking off the uv filter of my lens, licking it, and going back to shooting.

At the relevant apertures we were shooting at (f/2.8-8) you couldn't tell. I quit using UV filters since.

Nov 15, 2009 at 04:26 PM

1 2 end
FM Forums \| Canon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end