Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

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Was hoping that it would be sharper

This lens is a good standard zoom and surely a great improvement over any kit lenses. Wide open it is rather soft, but stopped down a bit it is really good. USM makes the AF fast and accurate.

Since I often find myself pushing for the ISO800 and still ending up shooting wide open, I think it's time for 24-70/2.8...

For its range and speed...none.

This lens was recommended to me after I made a major switched to Canon for myself and several staff photographers a few years ago. I had asked for "backup" glass to have on hand for each system and both of the Canon reps I work with (if you read many posts on Rob Galbraith's site you'll know one of them) highly recommended this lens. Outside of "L" lenses it is considered (by Canon) to be one of their best in its focal range. I have used the lens on some documentary and editorial assignments and was quite pleased. Its size makes it a pleasure to use when lens speed is not a concern.

weak mechanism allows some zoom creep; slow glass, for indoors needs flash 50% of the time.

I bought this as a first lens, and it's been great for point & shoot situations. When I'm out for pictures though, a wide angle prime and the 70-200L are the workhorses.

Build quality - when zoom extends to 85mm.

I bought this lens together with my EOS 30(7E) in Thailand when I travelled there 2 years ago. I used to use Minolta. It's the first Canon lens I use and to learn photography with. When I bought this lens I ask the dealer why is this lens so expensive compared with the standard 28 - 80 lens, which he virtually throws in as part of the package, as this lens is only 4mm wider and 5mm longer. He said what you pay is what you get and it's harder to make wide angles. Alright, I bought it as I like the distance scale on the lens, the manual override of AF and it looks more substantial and professional than the 28-80 Smile

After I tried out the lens, I loved it so much. It's really good for travel as it's light and doesn't disappoint you for its sharpness. It does portraits really well too which my wife thank me. On the digital it gives you a focal length of around 37 to 135 which is pretty good for general purpose. The only thing is it doesnt feel solid when you extend it to 85mm.

zoom creep, barrel and pincushion distortion

It's ok quality, considering the price I paid.
Not as sharp as other prime lenses i have (of course), but easy size to carry around. Appropriate for everyday snapshots, especially with DSLR, which you might wanna be more careful about lens exchange to avoid introducing dust on image sensor. I'll bring this one with 10D for travel situasions.

67mm filter size is unusual for Canon

This zoom is unique inasmuch as the range encompasses a true wide angle, 24 mm, to short telephoto, 85 mm. Most of Canon's "normal" zooms start at 28 mm. Not too long ago 35 mm was the norm. If you love wide angle perspectives or shoot in tight interiors, this is the zoom for you. Personally, I find 24 mm images somewhat difficult to compose in full frame formats--28 to 50 mm comes more naturally--but having an extra 4 mm is nice when you need it.

An internal lens group is focused by ring-type USM (Ultrasonic Motor). This motor dives the small rear elements easily, resulting in extremely fast AF. Thus, the front element does not rotate nor does the barrel expand or contract during focusing. Plus, ring-type USM features full-time manual focusing (FT-M), allowing you to manually focus without switching out of AF mode. Of course, being an USM lens, it is silent when focusing. If you prefocus manually, the distance window in meters and feet is very useful. Unlike many Canon consumer zooms, this puppy exhibits absolutely no zoom creep, even after 1.5 years of constant use.

This EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM sports a 6-blade diaphragm. Thus, out of focus areas (bokeh) are reasonably smooth. A molded glass (GMo) aspherical lens element (4th) is used to correct astigmatism, achieve sharp definition and to make the lens compact. Canon manages to pack 15 elements into a 69.5mm (L) x 73 mm (D) barrel! With all those elements, the optional petal hood, the EW-73II, should be used at all times to protect the front element and reduce flare.

The filter size is an odd (for Canon) 67 mm, making filters expensive. There is only one other Canon lens with this filter size, the EF 70-200 4L USM. Fortunately, the EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM and EF 70-200 4L USM complement one another well and make an excellent kit. Plus, there are a few advantages to large filter sizes: 1) the extra space between the front element and filter threads minimalizes the possibility of accidental scratching when changing filters; and 2) thick filters such as polarizers may be used without vignetting.

For a consumer zoom, the EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM delivers sharp and contrasty images. I found it on par with the EF 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM. Although quality is decent wide open, the best image quality is at F8 or 11. The long end is slightly softer than the wide angle side, but sharp enough for excellent 11 x 14 inch enlargements.

This zoom suffers from considerable barrel distortion at the wide end and a small amount of pincushion distortion at the long end. If you shoot architecture, avoid this zoom and embrace the superior correction of prime lenses. For general use, distortion is not a problem except with ocean horizons or closeup subjects with parallel lines. Indeed, distortion increases considerably in the macro range, especially at 24 mm. Distortion is normal for zooms and is an optical compromise that allows the convenience of multiple focal lengths.

Flare and ghosting are well controlled for a zoom, but extreme conditions, e.g., a shearing Hawaiian sunset, may cause some flare and ghosting with full frame formats. After all, 15 elements give ample opportunity for light to bounce around. Amazingly, flare and ghosting are better controlled than both my EF 28-105 USM and EF 28-135 IS USM. With an EOS 10D (DSLR), there is no flare and ghosting even with blazing sunsets, perhaps due to the small sensor size. Maybe the rectangular flare mask between the first and second elements really makes a difference. Nevertheless, I always keep the lens hood on to help keep flare in check.

The EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM is a wonderful lens for the EOS Elan series, Rebel series, IX series, A2/A2E or D30/60/10D. The 24mm wide angle makes it especially useful on cameras with small image sizes, i.e., 1.25 to 1.6x cropping factor, such as the IX series or D30/D60/10D. Due to its light weight, it balances well on smaller cameras such as the Rebel or Elan series. It isn't as well suited for pro EOS cameras like the EOS 1V or EOS 3 as the variable aperture of F3.5 to 4.5 is too slow to activate their cross AF sensors. It's only about $300 new. What a deal!

Wished it focused closer (1.5ft)

Started with a 50 1.8 prime. Loved the lens, and the speed. But couldn't afford the 24-70L and returned 2 sigmas (not happy with focus speed). I wanted all primes, but the wife uses the camera too, and she had to have a zoom. So far I am very impressed with the lens. It doesn't block the flash (important, since I don't have a flash yet). It is very light, and the focusing is lighting fast! I would recomend this lens to anyone that wants a zoom, but doesn't want the price and weight of an L.

Unusual filter thread 67mm, zoom ring a bit too narrow.

I had an excellent copy - optically and mechanically. Very sharp and contrasty (again, given that it is a consumer zoom). No zoom creep. Also, the front element doesn't rotate which is good when using filters, such as grad. NDs or polarizers.

This is a great starter lens with a good range, esp. when shooting film or DSLRs w/o crop factor. I used this lens mostly on my film-based bodies - Elans (IIe or 7e) and was very happy w/ picture quality (using Velvia or Provia slides).

This is a very nice starter lens for Canon DSLR users. My copy is sharp and I have no complaints. Just stop down to 5.6 or 8 and it is very sharp. Color and contrast are excellent. Rivals the Canon L zooms. The USM and full time manual focus is also a plus. I really don't see how you can go wrong with this lens.

PS: Look for the older Champagne models. They are sharper, especially wide open.

I really like this lens.

Bad zoom creep, odd 67mm filter size, sometimes mis-focused using 10D, felt cheap, zoom grip sometimes slippery or difficult to grab

Used on 10D.

Focus was fast and quiet though sometimes accuracy was questionable at times. The lens would easily creep to full zoom when walking with camera tethered from the strap.

Outshined by 28-135 IS. Nice when you want the smallest, lightest package with the D30/D60/10D.