I have the EF 24–70mm f/4 IS L. As well as IS it has a macro mode with 0.7× magnification at 80mm; you flick a switch and turn the zoom ring a bit more to get into it (and, yes, it’s 80mm and not 70mm). I have 3 specialist macro lenses so usually use those instead, but I have used this zoom’s macro mode and it does work, and I only have to carry a single lens. In macro mode the bokeh could be better and the working distance is short. The IS is a special “hybrid” type for macro use on DSLRs, also seen in the EF 100mm f/2.8 IS L macro.
This lens has been discontinued and there’s no RF replacement. Canon marketed it rather poorly so it might be hard to find used.
Nikon have a 24–120mm f/4 for their Z mirrorless system relies on in-body image stabilisation, weighs about the same and goes to 0.39×, intended for (and apparently popular with) outdoors types like me. Sony’s newest version of their 70–200mm f/4 goes to 0.5×. Canon do offer the RF 100–400, which goes to 0.41×, but it’s slow and not weather sealed; otherwise there’s the very expensive 100–500.
EDIT: corrected an error in the description of the Nikon 24–120,
I have the EF 24–70mm f/4 IS L. As well as IS it has a macro mode with 0.7× magnification at 80mm; you flick a switch and turn the zoom ring a bit more to get into it (and, yes, it’s 80mm and not 70mm). I have 3 specialist macro lenses so usually use those instead, but I have used this zoom’s macro mode and it does work, and I only have to carry a single lens. In macro mode the bokeh could be better and the working distance is short. The IS is a special “hybrid” type for macro use on DSLRs, also seen in the EF 100mm f/2.8 IS L macro.
This lens has been discontinued and there’s no RF replacement. Canon marketed it rather poorly so it might be hard to find used.
Nikon have a 24–120mm f/4 for their Z mirrorless system which has image stabilisation, weighs about the same and goes to 0.39×, intended for (and apparently popular with) outdoors types like me. Sony’s newest version of their 70–200mm f/4 goes to 0.5×. Canon do offer the RF 100–400, which goes to 0.41×, but it’s slow and not weather sealed; otherwise there’s the very expensive 100–500.
Jun 28, 2025 at 12:09 AM
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