Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM

[Gidi Morris]

Hi all,

I recently had the pleasure of getting my hands on a used 28-70 2.8 L and I must say - wow.

Its my second L, and truly believe I can never go back to consumer lenses now.

Anyway, it seams absolutely ridiculous that such a popular lens (before the 24-70 2.8 it was the top lens, sort of) doesn't have an archive too.

So post em!

Mike!, do your thing :D

Here is one - look how sharp it is!
(Not edited in any way, this photo is strait out of the camera. Not even levels...)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1029/897510675_815e08a2f0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gidimorris/897510675/)

[In2Photos]

Mike!, do your thing :D

Done. :)

[Gidi Morris]

Thanks :D

Now come on guys, I know many of you have had this lens - share some photos :)

[the_incubus]

gidi, how much did u pay for it?

[Gidi Morris]

I payed about 600$, but don't forget I live in Israel so when it was bought first hand - it was already much more expensive than in the states.
Originally this lens cost about 1400$ in Israel, and now you cannot find a new copy here- only second hand.

Anyway - this seems to me a great way to go if you can't afford the 24-70, since it's image quality is as good (some reviews say it isn't as good, while others claim it is better. This leads me to believe they are both the same, and only differ for the same reason all lenses differ - uneven quality management), the AF is only slightly slower (I do PJ work and haven't had a problem with it's AF speed at all) & 4mm less on the wide end - you sure mis those 4mm but they aren't worth the extra 700$-900$...

Here is another shot I took a few minutes ago-
I'm trying to figure out the focus & DOF characteristics of this lens, since all lenses differ in this respect...
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1034/1061006191_a8cfd9d0fa.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gidimorris/1061006191/)

[Gidi Morris]

BTW, here is a100% crop of the first image.
Here you have the original untouched image, and an example of where you can get with a mild Unsharp mask adjustment.

[JRM1900]

Hi guys, these are a couple samples of pictures taken using canon 28-70 F 2.8 L + Canon 30D camera, I am new to digital photography I got this lens for my trusty EOS 3, 35mm camera about 6 yeras ago, I use it as my all purpose lens and so far I am very happy with the results. I am an amateur so if there is something wrong with the pics blame it on the photographer for the camera, the lens, and the models (my kids) are all good :)

[JRM1900]

Another one

[Gidi Morris]

Don't know what your worried about -those pics are great :)

[Gidi Morris]

Here are some more.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2140/1778889921_3a1c28fef8.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2033/1750500985_c8d6ddc061.jpg

[cbtoday]

anyone has this lens pls most pictures. So far I like what I see here....I want to see more.

[liquefied]

Here are a few from me. I bought the lens here from brimacx and couldn't be happier with it. It's definitely a great alternative to the 24-70 for those on a budget (student here).

http://home.comcast.net/~sutters/2870a.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~sutters/2870b.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~sutters/2870c.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~sutters/2870d.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~sutters/2870e.jpg

[twofruitz]

That last picture is amazing liquefied... This is a great lens.

[sandro9mm]

wow I thought this lens was quite popular :) but pics are few... anyways, its stunning sharp as I can see... gonna try to grab it on ebay now :D

[khnordeen]

Mine should be coming in tomorrow, I cant wait to add to this archive :D

[Jaetie]

That last picture is amazing liquefied...

i concur.

[Gidi Morris]

Another small update.
As you can see I've been busy with my film camera.
Al B&w films developed & printed in a good old darkroom.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/2162908057_d2807447fd_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/2163703002_f6ae84cbb1_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2162900297_9f46f3b760_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2163700678_f32a67b1b4_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2255/2200982427_f8200c67ea_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2201772990_54015fa10b_o.jpg

[JRosenberg]

Coming out of longtime lurkdom to pine for more pictures taken with this lens...

[ben_r_]

Here are a few from me. I bought the lens here from brimacx and couldn't be happier with it. It's definitely a great alternative to the 24-70 for those on a budget (student here).


http://home.comcast.net/%7Esutters/2870c.jpg


! LOL I like the toaster shot! Thats cool. Nicely lit.

[asianstutter]

can i see an unedit photo for this lens? i'm thinking of buying this lens
i wanna see how it would look unedit version

[mkohman]

Hello, here is mine taken with my new 40D and 24-70mm L ;)

[mleone]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/2347337783_a38e20846f_b.jpg

http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.leone/CanonEF2870F28L/photo#5177201288595139218

[aladyforty]

would $750.00 australian be a fair price for this lens in reasonable condition?

[Kristian]

I purchased one of these beauties yesterday. Might have payed a bit too much, but it's in near mint condition and comes with the hood, and I also got a one year warranty as well as the right to return it within two months.

Here is a shot from yesterday, edited and with a little USM added:
(28mm, ISO 400, f/3.2, 1/800)
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3673/web4ux2.jpg

100% crop of the original non-edited image (no USM either):
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3161/g8l7736pi4.jpg

Looks reasonably good me thinks...

[mleone]

Just when I start thinking about dumping this lens and getting a 24-70. I use it and get this.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2934721530_af1b3bd777_b.jpg

[David Ransley]

I like the lens very much and only searched for this thread, once I had the urge to look for comments on its digital photography capabilities.

[David Ransley]

One more, I am happy with the capabilities. had it to a Canon service center for a checkup and they gave it a clear bill of health. Still workiing fone for years now.

[David Ransley]

I had my camera at an event where flash photography was not allowed. My son is in the choir and they had an evening with a local singer. To record history I had the 40D set at ISO 3200 and took a few shots at F4

[Timaphillips]

If you're browsing this thread you're probably comparing the 24-70 and the 28-70 2.8L's. Here's a great comparison of the two with side by side identical settings shots.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/24-70/

[toxic]

Not an amazing shot or anything, but...

1/500, f/4, ISO 100 at 70mm on 5D. Sharpened slightly, nothing else.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/silent_darkness08/Camera/_MG_7090.jpg

[stetsonaw]

bringing this thread back, just picked up this lens

[vkotis]

Just picked this lens up today as well. i needed something for starting on my wedding photography. i was considering the 24-70mm but it was just way too expensive for me now. i must say, this lens is great! colour and contrast are superb! the reverse zoom mechanism was a little odd at first but i'm already used to it. the size and weight are not even an issue to me. so many people complain about the weight of a lens but i find no problems shooting with a heavy lens all day.

353395

[stetsonaw]

shot a couple nice ones today...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3428198171_471060eb7a.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3429015668_f095f74d3e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3429030930_dcaace1998.jpg

[Randall n LV]

So what is a good price for one of these lens

[stetsonaw]

i've got one for $800 i'm selling... as soon as i get my new glass in.

[stetsonaw]

couple from today... mine's the white one.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3431807582_8c81dff862.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3431806736_0e3b68d6ba.jpg

[vkotis]

shot a couple nice ones today...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3428198171_471060eb7a.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3429015668_f095f74d3e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3429030930_dcaace1998.jpg



hey! is that an R32 with a huge turbo?! thats nice!!! i used to have an s13 with an RB25. always wanted an R32 though.

[stetsonaw]

yes, that is an r32 with a huge turbo. i wanna say that silvia has an RB26 in it.

[Wimair]

Hey people!

I have the chance to get a 28-70L for about 550$ (380€). It was built 1995 and is in good condition. There's one "problem" - you can't use the manual focus. You can use it on one-shot mode, but the AF/M swich has no effect as far as I know. Is that a fair price? What do you think?

[chioque]

IMHO the price is fair. but please take it with a pinch of salt as I'm not an expert. This lens is brilliant and I like that the images from the lens, to me, are slightly warmer than those from 24-70L.

But I would like to share my story about the lens. I bought a good conditioned one a couple of years back for about RM2,500 or USD750. Then early this year the lens had some problems with the AF motor and I sent the lens to Canon Malaysia for servicing. A day after, the Canon rep called me and said they had run out of spare parts for the lens. However in return they offered me an upgrade to a brand new 24-70L subject that I paid Canon an extra RM1,000 or roughly USD280. Of course I took up their offer :)

[versedmb]

IMHO the price is fair. but please take it with a pinch of salt as I'm not an expert. This lens is brilliant and I like that the images from the lens, to me, are slightly warmer than those from 24-70L.

But I would like to share my story about the lens. I bought a good conditioned one a couple of years back for about RM2,500 or USD750. Then early this year the lens had some problems with the AF motor and I sent the lens to Canon Malaysia for servicing. A day after, the Canon rep called me and said they had run out of spare parts for the lens. However in return they offered me an upgrade to a brand new 24-70L subject that I paid Canon an extra RM1,000 or roughly USD280. Of course I took up their offer :)

That's a great deal you got. Enjoy your 24-70!!

[versedmb]

Hey people!

I have the chance to get a 28-70L for about 550$ (380€). It was built 1995 and is in good condition. There's one "problem" - you can't use the manual focus. You can use it on one-shot mode, but the AF/M swich has no effect as far as I know. Is that a fair price? What do you think?

Its not a bad deal, but I wouldn't do it, only because if you don't have it fixed it will be difficult to resell in the future.

[Wimair]

Got it today - let's see if it was worth the money. Pictures soon...

[haiko]

like the colors and the sharpness of that lens...

http://ivostotz.net/phto/tes.JPG (http://ivostotz.net/phto/tes.JPG)

[DeuceJanisch]

I dont understand how the thread for such a beautiful lens could be buried so deep in the archives.
This is my first L series glass and I am absolutely stunned. It showed up in the mail today and I just had to shoot anything in sight. Here are a few quick snaps wide open SOOC (I think LR was set on Portrait imports, but you get the idea!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4100907645_60929d8537.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/4101663050_3fc3f5af72.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/4100910659_3618a61c57.jpg
I think I'm in love!