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alpha_1976
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Registered: Mar 1, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 641
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Review Date: Aug 30, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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well built, colors, natural saturation, IQ
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Cons:
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none really!
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I never thought I'd fall in love with this lens just after one shoot. I can't find any weakness in this lens. Wonderful colors, well built and heavy so that it sits nicely on any camera. Go for it.
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 Aug 30, 2010
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defleppard
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Registered: Aug 21, 2010
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 13
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Review Date: Aug 21, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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tack sharp, beautiful color rendition, dof control (F1.4!), suitable for low light shooting, superb build, perfect combination for crop camera (38mm equivalent - near to normal human vision)
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Cons:
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oh well, it's not cheap but you get for what you pay. if you're serious about photography, you need to throw a lot of money.
in addition to that, it made me regret purchasing zoom lenses.
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I've owned this for 5 months and now this is my walkaround lense with my 7D.
Initially I planned to purchase 35L (equivalent with normal 48mm in crop camera) but after I compared with 24L II, I immediately fell for 24LII. 24LII has better color rendition, sharper, better flare control, and weather sealed than 35L. I've used this lens with my 7D under light rain and they performed very well!
24L has indirectly made my photography better, because it forced me to engage my subjects closer and be more creative (especially with wide aperture). i think that's the best thing about prime lense, other than sharper and better IQ than zoom lenses.
Attached to crop camera, it is 38mm equivalent, near normal human vision thus making composition faster (what you see is what you get) and better (again, it pushes you to be creative). it is also great for low light photography.
in overall, this is a great lense. not sure how they will improve 24LIII in the future but for sure, this lens has been able to put me away from using full frame camera - for the moment 
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Aug 21, 2010
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joonrhee
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Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Aug 25, 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 118
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Review Date: Aug 4, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,574.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, f1.4, minimal CA,
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Cons:
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None yet
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I initially bought the 35L based from all the rave reviews. However, not enoughly consistent sharpness wide open and extreme CA turned me away from keeping it. The only reason I stayed away from 24Lii was the FL. I thought it would be too wide as my main walkaround lens. Boy, was I wrong...
This lens is far more superior than the 35L. I'm consistently hitting the sharp focus dead on wide open, and CA is very minimal. There are still some vignette and very minimal distortion, but none to be mentioned as a negative aspect.
I used to own 24-70L, 50 1.4, and 85 1.8, but replaced all these with 24Lii, 85Lii, and 135L. If you're in the market for either 35L or 24L, please do yourself a favor and try both before purchasing. Don't just buy a lens based on rave reviews. I tried both and highly recommend the 24Lii.
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Aug 4, 2010
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KKFung
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Registered: Dec 20, 2008
Location: China
Posts: 767
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Review Date: Jun 12, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,600.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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High resolving power, sharp and details from wide open, great boken and color rendering, fast AF
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Cons:
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If shorter in size that will be perfect
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Nearly a perfect lens in this focal length, can't imagine how the version III can make an improvement
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Jun 12, 2010
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djpapa
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Registered: Nov 4, 2009
Location: China
Posts: 232
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Review Date: May 24, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,600.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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f1.4, color contrast, sharp inf1.4 ,
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Cons:
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price
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I had have 35L ,50 1.2L, 85LII ,17-40L ,100L...
The 24LII color and contrast as same as 85L II
Very sharp lens and great bokeh.
The taste are not same as 35L ...35L is a wonderful lens too.
24L II close to the 100L and 85L tone of colors
Love it in my 5DII and 1D3.
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May 24, 2010
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Jonathan Huynh
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Apr 30, 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 6446
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Review Date: Apr 11, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Super sharp wide open, great contrast and colors, fast AF, weather sealed. Very unique combination of wide angle and f/1.4.
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Cons:
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Price.
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This Canon 24mm 1.4 L II is amazing lens. Super sharp wide open, nice colo and contrast. perfect for both landscape and people.
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Apr 11, 2010
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pkupcik
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Jul 27, 2006
Location: N/A
Posts: 265
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Review Date: Apr 1, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Super sharp wide open, great contrast and colors, fast AF, weather sealed. Very unique combination of wide angle and f/1.4.
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Cons:
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Price
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This is certainly a wow lens for me. 24mm of my 5D provides a nice wide angle perspective and the f/1.4 aperture gives it additional unique look. The lens is super sharp at f/1.4 and at 24mm provides more DOF than lets say 50/1.4 or 85/1.4 lens.
The lens vignettes significantly up to f/2.8. It can be a positive as it adds sense of depth.
The lens is fairly large and heavy, but still within reason to be carried around the neck all day. The zoom ring is as good as it gets on L lenses. It's not as smooth and assuring as MF Zeiss lenses, but it's very good for AF lens.
I would imagine that this lens may be an overkill for landscapes as it does not need such a large aperture. For strictly landscapes I would probably opt for Zeiss 21mm instead. If you however also shoot people indoors, this lens really shines as it gives the ability to capture unique f/1.4 wide angle shots, especially at low light.
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Apr 1, 2010
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underbjerg
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Registered: Mar 2, 2010
Location: Denmark
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Mar 3, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very high image quality, great sharpness, great field-of-view (38mm equiv.) on an APS-C crop-camera, amazing bokeh
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Cons:
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High price, but you get what you pay for
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I was looking for the ultimate low-light wide-angle lens for my EOS 50D, and had my eyes on this lens more than a year before I finally bought it.
For me, the main attraction was the combination of a large aperture, and the 38mm equiv. focal length. It's hard to find a good prime lens, that stays wide on a crop-camera, but this lens is it.
I have been amazed with the images I get out of this lens, and it has replaced my EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS as my favorite walk-around lens. It takes a bit more thought (and movement) to compose shots, but you are rewarded with wonderfully saturated colors, sharp images, and of course the possibility of a very narrow depth-of-field, with a distinct look due to the wide angle.
I was hoping to use this lens for low-light dance photography, and this is the only area where my expectations were not met, though not due to any fault of the lens. Even though this lens has a 2-stop advantage over the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, the latter has an image stabilizer which levels the playing field for any stationary objects, and the advantage of faster attainable shutter speeds at f/1.4 compared to f/2.8, is offset by the fact that it's incredibly difficult to focus on anything that moves at f/1.4! This should probably have been obvious to me, but I'm still very happy with this lens, although my use of it has turned out to be different than I expected.
It's great as a walk-around lens, and I've found it amazing for environmental portraits, indoor and other low-light photography. I've put up a small review of the lens on a 50D, with some sample images:
http://www.underbjerg.com/2010/03/01/canon-24mm-f1-4-ii-review-on-a-50d/
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Mar 3, 2010
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cauchy
Offline
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Registered: Jan 16, 2008
Location: Norway
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Dec 12, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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image quality, sharp wide open, low CA, excellent build quality, pleasing bokeh
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Cons:
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it costs a lot of money and it is not exactly light weight
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This lens is incredible! The image quality is excellent, it delivers high contrast and nice colors and it is sharp wide open. The middle of the frame at f/1.4 is very good even on the 21MP 5D Mark II (very sharp with a little sharpening applied) and even the corners are still very usable, they are a little soft at f/1.4 but nothing to worry about. The lens does show quite some vignetting wide open. Personally, I am not bothered about that at all, I even accept it as a positive aspect for my uses! CAs are very well contained even wide open. Also, the bokeh is surprisingly pleasant!
The build quality and construction are excellent, it feels very solid.
I do not want to comment on AF yet because I only used the lens for some hours now - there were absolutely no problems, however, it was always spot on so far!
Bottom line: this is an excellent lens for low light and "wide-angle bokeh" applications with an excellent image quality!
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Dec 12, 2009
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AGeoJO
Online
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Registered: Jul 8, 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 11402
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Review Date: Nov 25, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharpness at wide aperture settings, great colors, practically no CA, excellent build quality, etc.
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Cons:
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Price would be it but hey, you got to fork out some serious money for excellence. Well, yes, I noticed vignetting up to f/2.0 but no longer visible at f/2.8 and it can easily be corrected during post processing.
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It seems like Canon had paid close attention to the optical design of recently introduced lenses and most importantly, Canon seems to have increased the QC in the manufacturing/assembly process. I am sure they heard foot steps approaching... LOL. These factors have resulted in really top-notch performers. It doesn't come cheap though but at least you know what you are getting if you shell out big bucks for some glasses.
The classic 24L was a lens that I couldn't warm up to. Yes, it had to do with its performance, which again was actually excellent but I preferred my 35mmL over its wider sibling. Yes, the don't have the same FL but somehow the 35L got used way more back then. Now, the role seems to get reversed; the more I use this lens, the more I start liking it more and more. Whether the 24L II is worth upgrading from the classic one will vary on an individual basis. Is the new lens worth $600-$800 more? Only you will know the asnwer. For me, it is a definite "yes".
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Nov 25, 2009
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gazzajagman
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Registered: Apr 26, 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 172
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Review Date: Nov 8, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharpness, Colour rendition, Out of Focus smoothness, Weather sealing, Contrast
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Cons:
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Erm...Price is about the only thing, other than the hood.
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I have a stellar 35L, 85IIL and 135L and a not so stellar 50L. I place this lens slightly above my 35L in terms of sharpness, clairity, colour and contrast. It's out of focus rendition is superior to the previous 24L (it's bokeh looked harsh to my eyes).
But I seriously think that a comparision of my 35L and 24IIL would yield much of a difference on a printed A4 (except for the Focal difference).
I use mine on both a 5D and 5DII and it's certainly sharp wide open and it's genreal look in consistant with the other L primes.
I like it's size and weight. I have had no Focus issues with mine, but I'm not very trusting with AF anyhow.
The hood is a dissapointment (like the 35L) in that it's heavily curved and can't be placed hood down on a table for lens swapping like other L primes. This is very irratating.
It's not a cheap lens but it really does perform very well. It is probably the finest 24mm lens available...so you'd expect it to be expensive.
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Nov 8, 2009
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haringo
Offline
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Registered: Oct 7, 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 12
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Review Date: Oct 29, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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well....it is fast, great bokeh, sharp
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Cons:
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not meeting the quality of the 35mm l 1.4
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I used to own this lens. To be honest it wasn't much better than my 24 70mm 2.8. It is possible that I had a bad copy but none of my friends rave about this lens. Buy a 35mm 1.4 instead or a 24 70. The latter is much cheaper. You can see some samples here in the engagement section under portfolio: www.haringphotography.com
I hope this helps!
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Oct 29, 2009
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Jim Heine
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Registered: Apr 9, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 232
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Review Date: Oct 24, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,700.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp!, beautiful colors, contrast, bokeh, build quality is outstanding, manual focus ring is great, superb optics, very little CA considering, weather sealing, low distortion, quality at f/1.4
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Cons:
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Expensive!!!, 77mm filters (all my other L primes are 72mm), noticeable vignetting wide open, wish canon would have put this effort into making a 28L lens instead (my favorite walk-around wide-angle focal length)
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This is the first wide angle prime from canon that I really fell in love with. The 35L is pretty good, but this lens is an absolutely beauty to use. Even though it is 24mm, this lens is sharper than my 35L at all f-stops. Build quality and optics are truly outstanding (see my pros). This biggest negative I see is the noticeable vignetting at f/1.4 on a full frame body (What can we expect at 24mm?).
I didn't rate the price because I think the price is a little absurd, but the quality is definitely there for this lens. I paid more than my 85L II! However, I would say this is just about a perfect lens. The only other lens that has gone into that category for me is the 135L. Worth it!
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Oct 24, 2009
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timpdx
Offline
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Registered: Feb 1, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 1607
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Review Date: Oct 23, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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I am simply in awe. Been shooting semi pro for over a decade and never seen glass this good.
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Cons:
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Its darn expensive
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Sharp, even wide open. Highly resistant to flare (except from near perpendicular light, hood protects from that)
There is no distortion. CA? I don't see it. Corners? Excellent. Build? L quality through and through. As a semi pro, this lens is going to get serious use. Lack of distortion and high resistance to flare means when I am shooting anything architectural, the 24-105 stays in the bag. For travel & stock, this gem will pay dividends in evening and night shots. There will also be narrow DOF applications which sharp 1.4 will help. Its nice and rectilinear, so I can sell my 50 Macro, because this is a great repro. lens for my purposes.
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Oct 23, 2009
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LZ7J
Online
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Registered: Feb 22, 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 163
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Review Date: Jul 23, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,700.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp wide open, excellent colours and contrast, much improved build quality compared to the mk1, it's now as good as my 35L (minus the CA!), smoother bokeh
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Cons:
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Price!
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I've owned the mk1 version of this lens for almost a year - only shot 783 pictures with it. The week after I received my 24L mk2, I've doubled my previous shot count. I enjoy using this lens. Dare I say it, this lens is the slight better version of my 35L ~ only wider. I have zero complaints regarding this lens. My only nit-pick is the hood is a little big.
I have several A2 prints shot on a 5d2 wide-open-2.0 and it looks great! Well worth the premium over the mk1. Thanks Canon!
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Jul 23, 2009
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thedigitalbean
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Jun 24, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 6122
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Review Date: Jun 5, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very sharp even wide open, little no CA even wide open, focus is fast, bokeh seems improved over the Mk1 (and the 35L)
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Cons:
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Price, vignetting from f/1.4 - f/2
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Bought this lens almost as soon as it was available and I've been shooting with it for a few months now. I also own the 35L and have owned the mk1 before.
The lens is superb. Its extremely sharp, the colors are punchy and the CA is virtually absent. The only IQ downside is the vignetting from f/1.4 to f/2, it seems to vignette a little bit more than the Mk1. I find that this makes little different to my photos since the types of pictures I take with this lens end up needing that vignetting. The combination of sharpness, shallow depth of field for a wide angle, little CA, punch colors and vignetting give a unique rendering to the images produced by this lens and its a rendering I like a lot.
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Jun 5, 2009
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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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156628
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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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