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aestiva
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Registered: Feb 18, 2009
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Apr 27, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very sharp, fast AF, bokehlicous, small, light
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Cons:
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Noting
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Amazing lens. When I compare this with the new 24-70 2.8L II, this lens is almost the same (color and sharpness), but the bokeh is more beautiful of the 24 1.4 II. Almost all the wide-ange pictures of http://www.totaalfotografie.nl are made with the 24 1.4L II
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 Apr 27, 2013
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user222
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Registered: Sep 13, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 670
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Nov 16, 2012
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Carles77
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Registered: Sep 19, 2012
Location: Spain
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Sep 19, 2012
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: $1,400.00
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Pros:
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sharp at more than f/2, not so heavy, well build
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Cons:
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soft corners at f/1.4, very ugly bokeh, expensive, vignetting
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Very ugly bokeh for me, I buy this lens because i want a wide angle lens with the benefits of low light and bokeh too. But it's unusable at f/1.4 - f/2. Corners are too soft, vignetting extremly.
I sold this lens, I will go for another prime lens like the 50L.
Thanks.
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Sep 19, 2012
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nswelton
Online
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Registered: Jan 16, 2006
Location: N/A
Posts: 234
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Review Date: Apr 11, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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sharp corner to corner, beautiful image quality
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Cons:
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too expensive for what you get
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wish this lens was a little cheaper, but at least it's less costly than the nikon version. my 35L was my daily driver for weddings until i got this... kinda got sick of shooting in cramped reception venues and this opened the world up just a little bit more. but that extra 11mm was huge, and i fell in love with the focal length. very flare resistant, pretty quick to focus, super sharp. absolutely beautiful lens.
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Apr 11, 2012
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bateleur
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Registered: Nov 25, 2003
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 409
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Review Date: Jan 25, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Construction, weatherproof, fast, supersharp (stopped down to f4)
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Cons:
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Price, needs carefull use for accurate focussing, needs camera with MA
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The build of this lens is really impressive! Used stopped down to f4.0 or f 5.6 it is supersharp!
But the downside is that one really needs to know how to use this lens. First of all I discovered that it needs a +10 MA on my EOS 5DmkII.
Don't expect this lens to be sharp from corner to corner at f 1.4 (which wide angle lens is this anyway?)
With your main subject towards the borders of the image it is stil possible to get good results at f1.4 provided that proper focussing techniques are used. Don't expect the rest of the picture to be sharp because as with all fast lenses at f 1.4 the DOF is very thin.
Pay special attention to the background because there is a lot more to "see" in the frame compared to shooting with a tele lens so it can be a real challenge to get a pleasing background.
This lens is meant for creative solutions, people who expect they will get sharp pictures from corner to corner at f 1.4 , shooting common subjects, will be disappointed. In that case I would advice them to crank up the iso and stop down the lens.
I can imagine that some people who paid 1,400.- for this lens will be disappointed if they do not fully understand the "nature" of this lens.
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Jan 25, 2012
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KevinA
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Registered: Dec 5, 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Nov 3, 2011
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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Fast aperture
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Cons:
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very very soft in the corners wide open
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I bought it some time ago for it's ability to shoot at f1.4, after all that's why you pay the money.
If you need anything near sharp in the corners at f1.4 it will be a disappointment. I don't expect centre sharpness in the corners but this is way off the mark and so was another one I tried.
If your idea of using f1.4 is to throw the background out of focus and your subject is central, no doubt you will think this lens a great performer. If like me you need the lens speed for low light work, I think Canon should of done much better, It needs about f3.5 to start getting acceptable in the corners.. The 35mm f1.4 is a better bet if 35mm can be made to cover your subject.
Kevin.
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Nov 3, 2011
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Fr3d
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Registered: Nov 28, 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 290
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Review Date: Oct 14, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Everything (sharpness, bokeh, colors, build, flare control, f/1.4)
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Cons:
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Needs a filter go be fully weather sealed
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There is nothing I could add that hasn't been said before.
Its an amazing lens. Very sharp in the center wide open
almost unreal at smaller apertures throughout the frame.
Not as sharp as the 24mm TS-E II unshifted but very very
close. I don't hesitate to shoot this lens wide open, although
you can get a bit more punch (contrast) by stopping down to f2.
The lens also handles flares gracefully even when shooting
directly into the sun. It feels nice and compact and renders
colors and blurred backgrounds very lovely. Some LoCAs can
be seen in wide open shots but that had to be expected.
Did you ever try to zoom into one of your new lens test shots
not realizing they were already showing at 100% on your screen?
This is one of those lenses...
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Oct 14, 2011
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JohnnyMelbourn
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Registered: Aug 25, 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Aug 25, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very sharp wide open, neutral colour rendition, excellent build quality, exceptional sharpness @4-5.6
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Cons:
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AF see review body
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Many years ago I bought a 35L for my 20d because I was fed up with soft corners I was getting on the L and consumer zooms.
I loved the 35 but I was finding it just a little long on the 20d.
Reluctantly I sold and purchased a MK1 24L, after a few months I started to realise that there was literally nothin I could do to get critically sharp corners from seemingly any aperture.
Sold it and purchased one of the original 21mm distagons (contax) version.
Needless to say finally sharp corners!
I've een happy with this for several years but i started to miss the use of AF and metering that works properly.
So I have the MKII of the 24L and all I can now say is thankyou distagon you have been amazing but its time for you to try a new home.
I find the sharpness of the 24mm wide open fractionally softer in centre (not extreme corners) than the distagon.
At same aperture the 24mm is unrivalled.
Comparing sharpness to other L lenses I've used I would say from f4-5.6 the 24mm MKII is entirely in it's own category.
The lenses I have had or still have are
17-40mml
24mm MKI
24mm MKII
35mm L
85mm MKI
85mm MKII
180mm L
300mm f4 L IS
300mm f2.8 L IS
400mm f5.6L IS
70-300mm L IS
build quality is v v v good! Not exceptional like the 400mm f5.6 but still excellent.
The colour I find far more neutral and natural than alot of the L's
Kinda like the difference of Fuji provia vs Velvia for those who remember the good old days!
All in all just a perfect lens.
The only problem is the AF
I don't have a 7d (have 40d) so I have no micro AF adjustment.
But to be honest I have to agree with others; this isn't front or back focussing, it's just wildly unpredictable.
The ONLY reason I chose not to let this influence me was because I was here coming from a manual focus zeiss so I'll just use manual when AF starts being naughty.
All in all I recommend this. As a pure optic it's the finest I have ever used from any manufacturer at any focal length.
Can't wait to really start using it!
10/10
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Aug 25, 2011
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arildah
Offline
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Registered: Mar 20, 2011
Location: Norway
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Mar 21, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Sharpness, colors, "pop", build quality, overall image quality
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Cons:
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Price
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Had to decide between this and the 35L after deciding which FL I used the most on my 24-70L, and ended up with the 24L as it has better build quality, rubber gaskets, and ultimately a more attractive focal length for what I shoot, which is a good mix of people, landscapes, nature vistas, etc.
Contrast/Sharpness: Excellent
Focus speed/accuracy: Excellent, with one caveat - at apertures larger than f/2.8, hitting focus can be difficult with distances longer than 2 metres. Not an issue for me, though, and it can probably be corrected.
Build: As good as it gets. I΄ve had it out in salty spray, no issues.
Great lens, will probably own this forever. Had it for six months or so.
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Mar 21, 2011
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edatc
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Registered: Jul 17, 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 39
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Review Date: Feb 19, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Awesome lens... use it mostly between f1.4 and f2.8
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Cons:
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none
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Have been using the 24mm focal length for 35 years... it is my walk around favorite, along with 50mm focal and 24-105... I use this mostly at night because it has great low light focusing and aperture. I've had the Canon 24 for just over a year... A real sweet lens.
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Feb 19, 2011
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marcus riley
Offline
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Registered: Sep 27, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 192
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Review Date: Feb 15, 2011
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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Build is awesome, focus is fast, sharp from f 1.4, beautiful pictures.
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Cons:
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AF, AF, AF, AF, AF, Will not focus consistently/accurately!
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I'm on my 3rd copy of the 24mm f1.4L version II. The first two had wild and severe focus issues (even though the 2nd copy was sent back to Canon and adjusted, 4 times).
The 3rd copy has just as many issues as the first two. Sometimes it focuses well, often it will front or back focus for no apparent reason.
All lenses tested on 4-5 bodies, bodies checked out by Canon and in specs (as well as being perfect with other lenses).
I set up on tripod and point at flat subject (to avoid confusing AF system). Every time I hit the AF the lens readjusts and the focus jumps and re-locks. If I push the shutter 4 times, I usually get 1 sharp picture and 3 out of focus (both front and back focused). Tested at multiple subject distances, in various lighting, problem always present.
Besides confirming and reproducing the issues I'm having, 2 Canon techs have now informed me that this lens has a design flaw and that a huge majority of the copies out there have this AF inconsistency problem. In their words, out of 20 lenses, 1-2 will work properly and not act the way mine does. I don't know what to believe, but I've had 3 bad lenses in a row and this is what I've been told.
Check your copy if you buy one. AF mistakes might not be your fault.
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Feb 15, 2011
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HenkvdT
Offline
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Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 572
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Review Date: Jan 17, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Unique intimate look; Sharp @f1.4; weather sealed; solid build
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Cons:
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Price is a bit over the top and it does vignette from f1.4-f1.6 if you find this disturbing.
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This is one great lens. It is great for low light and close quarters photography. By isolating the subject in a wide angle perspective this lens gives a unique look which cannot be obtained with a f2.8 zoom.
It has some learning curve to it, but once you get it, it really shines and deliveres beautiful images. To get the most out of it you need to get in close to your object. If this doesn't suit your style than maybe this lens is not for you and you will be better off with a 35 or 50.
Personally I think this really is meant for full frame and is a bit of a waste on 1.6 and even 1.3x bodies. It does vignette wide open but this can contribute to the intimate look it provides.
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Jan 17, 2011
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Tamas Varga
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Registered: Mar 18, 2007
Location: Hungary
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Jan 5, 2011
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: $1,570.00
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Pros:
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Built like a tank; Weather sealing;
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Cons:
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Front focus issue
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Where is Canon QC? The copy I received front focuses badly which I wouldn't expect from a $1500+ lens. I might order another one or just keep using the 28 f1.8 until I'll have a chance for in-store pickup.
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Jan 5, 2011
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EyeBrock
Offline
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Registered: Dec 3, 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 958
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Review Date: Nov 17, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Build, sharpness, AF, colours, contrast.
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Cons:
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The nature-of-the-beast WA bokeh isn't my favourite.
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I used to be all zooms but the 24L II is my third prime now. Ive had the 50L for three years and it took a while to get competent with it because of the very shallow DOF. No such problems with the 24L, its a very easy lens to use. Its also a lot sharper than the 50L at 1.4. I ummed and aahed about the 24 over the 35 but the weather sealing was the swaying factor plus the fact that the 24L has been opitimised for digital and the 35L is quite an old model now.
This lens really comes into its own for me indoors with available light. I love the sharpness, colours, contrast, speed of AF, build. The bokeh isnt as nice as the 50L but this is apparently standard for a WA lens. Vignetting hasnt been a problem for me with DPP but I am getting a bit of CA that seems to be fine after DPP. I did use MA in my 5D2 (-3) to get it where I wanted it.
Its great to use outside too but I prefer the 50L in that environment. Ive had the 24L for 10 months now and it was a good purchase, no regrets but when a 35L II comes out I may have to look at that too!
For my preferred subjects, mainly my family and friends, primes are the dogs bollocks. To non-Brits that means they are the best and the 24L II is a very, very good lens.
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Nov 17, 2010
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David Baldwin
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Jun 28, 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2553
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Review Date: Sep 23, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Excellent sharpness once stopped down a bit. Excellent CA control compared to the Mk1. Superbly built.
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Cons:
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Sharpness at f1.4 disappointing. For astrophotography at f1.4 corner coma is still a real problem. Expensive.
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I bought this lens for lowlight and astro photography as I used the Mk1 but was unhappy with the old lens' extreme chromatic aberrations at wide apertures.
On the Mk2 I should say at once that the CA correction is superb. I use my lens for astronomical imaging, and for this I subjectively find the lens' performance showing stars as round points of light at f1.4 and f1.6 disappointing, there is still a large amount of coma particularly in the corners. This is one weakness of the old Mk1 that I had hoped would have been significantly improved in the new lens.
However there is a large jump in quality at f1.8, and in the range f2-f.2.2 the corners improve dramatically. Once stopped down further the lens is superbly sharp even into the corners on the 5D2.
The lens is large but stunningly well built.
I am glad I upgraded for the CA improvement which I feel is this lens real improvement over its predecessor, but I do feel the price here in the UK is very high.
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Sep 23, 2010
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photosbyjay
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Registered: Oct 12, 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Sep 1, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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solid build, amazing colours and contrast out of camera, very sharp even at 1.4
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Cons:
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none yet
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It's too early to give an overall rating as I've taken only 10 or so frames with this lens. I just thought I'd post up some walk-around photos for those who want some basis for comparison. These are medium jpeg, straight out of camera (zero photoshop/sharpening), standard picture style, daylight white balance, manual. Shot on a 5D Mark II.
Sample high-res images are here: http://www.photosbyjay.com.au/lens/24/ - EXIF data is embedded to get the exposure data.
Looking at these I'm really impressed with the vibrant colours and neutral tones of this lens. Text is sharp and crisp (as you can see on the sign) even at f1.4, which is impressive at such a wide aperture. Bokeh is smooth and pleasing to the eye, though appears little 'nervous' in some instances.
Even at f1.4 a lot of the image is still in focus because of the wide angle, which I'm excited about because I shoot a lot of weddings in low light and will be able to keep a lot of the image in focus at wide apertures (provided I'm not too close to the subject).
In any case this already looks a lot better than my 24-70 2.8L for image clarity, contrast and sharpness - I'm already making plans to sell that lens.
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Sep 1, 2010
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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40
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156597
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Apr 27, 2013
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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90% of reviewers
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$1,607.00
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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9.83
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8.27
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9.6
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