Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM II

[jwcdds]

Thanks guys. :)

Here's one from tonight:

May have to upgrade to the "Unlimited Text Messaging" plan.

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Family/Alexander/20110202-IMG1291/1176088761_N4wCo-XL.jpg

[x_tan]

If he is checking the stock price, Julian you can retire lots earlier ;)

[toshiro7]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5409491269_d61cc13093_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5412909848_4a798d0922_z.jpg

[x_tan]

Get my one this afternoon, just a test shot :)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/5413133282_bb362d608e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/x_tan/5413133282/)

[.mark.]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5413465421_073d89fa7b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5413465421/)
Day Thirty Four (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5413465421/) by mark_stevo (http://www.flickr.com/people/mark_stevo/), on Flickr

[.mark.]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5414505798_61a5d2b262_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5414505798/)
Golf GTI Pirelli (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5414505798/) by mark_stevo (http://www.flickr.com/people/mark_stevo/), on Flickr

[x_tan]

Just some dying rose @ f/1.4
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5414967225_bed76eb3a2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/x_tan/5414967225/)

[Harm]

very nice contributions of late :D

[Palna]

http://www.palnaphotos.com/PalnaPhotos/Test_files/_T3F9041_1.jpg

[darosk]

I got my 24L on wednesday - still haven't taken it outside to shoot yet! Going out with some friends tonight, so I'll bring it then :) So excited!

[Harm]

^ well done on the purchase. Look forward to your contributions!

[jwcdds]

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110205-IMG1374/1178897452_v53Zx-L.jpg

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110205-IMG1360/1178898646_Yhe3d-L.jpg

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110205-IMG1350/1178898866_q43rQ-L.jpg

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110205-IMG1414/1178900701_nNBnA-L.jpg

[coirchlid]

Nice available light shot's :) I thought I'd have this lens by now :(

[hieu1004]

http://hieu.smugmug.com/People/People/IMG6481BW/1179316793_RdR5L-XL.jpg

http://hieu.smugmug.com/People/People/IMG6807BW/1179325062_jF7vZ-XL.jpg

[joonrhee]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5422262089_53fbc2ca64_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5420250215_afef75d11d_b.jpg

[tiieff]

Here's a new one from me from tonight.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/5399858533_5b3284a174_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/agphotography/5399858533/)
Standing at The Edge of The Earth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/agphotography/5399858533/) by Abram Goglanian (http://www.flickr.com/people/agphotography/), on Flickr

Edit: Forgot EXIF info: 1DmkIII + 24LII / 59sec @ f/8 ISO 100 Hand Held! (Just kidding)

*Sorry about the compression. Happened during uploading, the OG file doesn't look like that :(

Wow, like it!

^ Nice Chris. I grow envious of FF. I hate you. :lol:

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Family/Alexander/20110201-IMG1177/1175185703_iYMuw-L.jpg

Cool!

[tiieff]

she is 10 now !
OMG, how old am I ?
http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac183/tiffanysungkono/IMG_0752a-1.jpg

[Headshotzx]

she is 10 now !
OMG, how old am I ?
http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac183/tiffanysungkono/IMG_0752a-1.jpg


So old that photobucket automatically deleted the picture. :lol:

[jwcdds]

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Family/Alexander/20110206-IMG1417/1180546603_CHjDM-XL.jpg

[darosk]

My pals and I went out for some Korean BBQ on Saturday. Ridiculous.

http://www.daroskoding.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_1643-copy.jpg

http://www.daroskoding.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_1642-copy.jpg

http://www.daroskoding.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_1650.jpg

I officially love this lens to bits.

[hieu1004]

^mmm ... I love Korean BBQ...

[tiieff]

So old that photobucket automatically deleted the picture. :lol:

upppsss :lol:
there she is :
http://i53.tinypic.com/2w3nfk5.jpg

[agphotography]

Would have been better if the haze wasn't so insane this afternoon!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5427592804_e53720b14c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/agphotography/5427592804/)
View from Griffith Observatory. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/agphotography/5427592804/) by Abram Goglanian (http://www.flickr.com/people/agphotography/), on Flickr

Oh and thank you tiieff, I appreciate the compliment!

[marcus riley]

Just received my 3rd new 24Lii (plus had one used 24L before). I'm scared to try it out because I've had such bad luck so far. I'm about to give it a try though, send a little luck my way!

marcus

[Harm]

good luck!

[marcus riley]

Hmmm, well, it still isn't perfect. Definitely seems better than the others I've had (no MA needed out-of-box, and is very sharp). But still dealing with some inconsistency issues. Sometimes just randomly misses focus, and when it misses, it seems more often front-focused... but occasionally back to.

However, the only tests I've been able to do so far are indoors (it's night here now), under 'less-than-ideal' mixed incandescent and florescent lights, SO I will wait until I test in better conditions before I decide. It IS better though, and I think it is probably good enough because other lenses miss occasionally under this conditions as well.

I spent the week taking pictures with my 24-105 and Sigma 50mm. The sigma 50 missed occasionally under poor lighting, so I honestly think the new 24LII will be just as good (and I love my Sigma 50!). I'm amazed at how solid the 24-105's focus is though (obviously f4 helps, but at 105mm and close range, even f4 will show focus mistakes)! That lens never seems to miss focus.

I'm going to compare my new 24LII and the 24-105 at 24mm and f4 to see how the focus accuracy/consistency compares.

[marcus riley]

Well, the new 24Lii is definitely seems to have issues (but I'm still waiting to take pictures in good light).

Compared to my 24-105mm with both at 24mm and f4, I found that the 24-105 is amazingly accurate and consistent, while the 24LII still changes focus between each shot.

At f4, the subject stays in focus (from larger DOF), but you can still see the focus changing based on the background and foreground becoming softer/sharper from picture to picture. The 24-105 doesn't show the same focus jumpiness and there is a definite difference between how accurate/consistent the focus is on each lens.

I've just tested it on my 1dsmk3 and 20D and it's the same on both. I'll test it on a 5dc and 5d2 tomorrow and see if the results are the same. At this point though, I'm starting to think there is some kind of engineering issue or batch QC issues (Although the first new 24LII was UY04, 2nd was UY09, this 3rd is UY12). This is just weird and ridiculous.

[agphotography]

I just can't understand how you're having so much bad luck. Outside of needing a +5 MA adjustment my copy is one of my best performing lenses as far as consistency is concerned. I'm really sorry to hear you're having so much bad luck.

For the record, my copy is a UY04.

[marcus riley]

I just can't understand how you're having so much bad luck. Outside of needing a +5 MA adjustment my copy is one of my best performing lenses as far as consistency is concerned. I'm really sorry to hear you're having so much bad luck.

For the record, my copy is a UY04.

Ya, sometimes I start feeling like I'm going crazy and it's impossible that I've had such bad luck. I start feeling like I'm just looking for problems or something. But I'm trying to be as objective as possible and there is definitely a difference between how this lens behaves compared to my other lenses.

One great example is that if the camera is on a tripod, pointed at something with good contrast (and 2D, so there's nothing in front or behind that the sensor might pick up on accident), in One-shot mode, every time I engage the AF (using a remote) the AF jumps back and forth. I know this isn't completely abnormal behavior for lenses, that's why I usually pump the AF 2-3 times. But with other lenses, IF the focus jumps on the 2nd or 3rd push, it will almost alway settle by the 2nd or 3rd and not jump any more, telling me the lenses is really locked on. With this lens (and the 24ls before it), it will never stop jumping back and forth (and it jumps a pretty good amount).

I'll take it out tomorrow and really give it a run-through in the sunlight and real-world shooting (Like I did with the previous lenses), but for now it doesn't look promising and I'm very discouraged.

[agphotography]

I'm terribly sorry to hear all this Marcus, it's really unfortunate that you've come across so many wonky copies of what truly is a fine lens. I guess I should count my blessings this time! I'm no stranger to lens issues though. I've definitely had my share.

[Harm]

bizarre - that is all one can say

[marcus riley]

Examples:

I made a simple target with paper and a marker so there is nothing closer or farther to confuse the focus. I taped an old photo next to the target just to have something with a little detail in the picture.

100% crops, f1.6, iso 400. Camera didn't move between crops, crops just aren't centered identically. Focused on middle of cross. Didn't do anything but push the AF/shutter release 4 times in a row.


1.
http://marcus2137.smugmug.com/photos/1181582781_hvmHx-L.jpg
2.
http://marcus2137.smugmug.com/photos/1181582845_YiWnJ-L.jpg
3.
http://marcus2137.smugmug.com/photos/1181582767_3GuAz-L.jpg
4.
http://marcus2137.smugmug.com/photos/1181582773_JqMgP-L.jpg

Based on items on the edges of the picture that were cropped out (and you can also tell from the red/green Longitudinal CA on the cross): 1&2 are back focused to varying degrees; 3 looks pretty good; 4 is front focused.

[jdizzle]

I'm lost for words at this point Marcus.

[agphotography]

Yeah I don't know what to say either.... Something clearly is up though. I wish we could help somehow!

[jdizzle]

Hi Abram. Nice pano! :)

[agphotography]

Thanks Julian! I wish that stupid haze hadn't ruined the right side, but it was so difficult to get a decent exposure at that time. I guess I could call it nuclear smog! (Kinda gross how you can clearly see the layer of smog over LA)

If you look off in the distance you can also see Catalina Island poking above the haze as well.

[jwcdds]

Just a few silly photos from tonight. (1 & 2 were deliberately exposed that way, just trying something different.)

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110208-IMG1491/1182233906_dMk97-XL.jpg

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110208-IMG1479/1182233863_H9QXA-L.jpg

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110208-IMG1466/1182232199_x8qsD-L.jpg

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110208-IMG1465/1182232245_RRKFU-L.jpg

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110208-IMG1464/1182232390_zUsWv-XL.jpg

[jdizzle]

^Cool! I love Gundam!

[jwcdds]

I'm starting to understand why people go with fancier studio lighting systems. Speedlights give silly rectangular spots instead of the more pleasing round spots in the background. ;)

I should look for more Gundams to assemble. :D

[jdizzle]

I'm starting to understand why people go with fancier studio lighting systems. Speedlights give silly rectangular spots instead of the more pleasing round spots in the background. ;)

I should look for more Gundams to assemble. :D
You should pick up a product soft box. This would totally be useful for stuff like that! :)

[agphotography]

I agree, even with speedlights it really helps diffuse the light and make things smooth.

[jdizzle]

Check this site out Julian. I bought the dual light tent but, it's out of stock atm. They're considerably cheaper than other sites I checked out.

http://obnphoto.com/

[Ross_Curtis]

Marcus,

Your ressults seem consistent with what I get with mine. It makes me wonder if there is some inherent problem with this lens. I used a dedicated test chart and found huge variations, I'd say the focus was only spot on around 4 out of 10 times. The same situation with my old 40D it was up at around 7 out of 10.
Lens of camera or a bit of both? - who knows, I've given in to worrying and just learn to live with it.

I find myself more regularly using Live View to nail the focus on critical shots with wide appertures.

[jdizzle]

Marcus,

Your ressults seem consistent with what I get with mine. It makes me wonder if there is some inherent problem with this lens. I used a dedicated test chart and found huge variations, I'd say the focus was only spot on around 4 out of 10 times. The same situation with my old 40D it was up at around 7 out of 10.
Lens of camera or a bit of both? - who knows, I've given in to worrying and just learn to live with it.

I find myself more regularly using Live View to nail the focus on critical shots with wide appertures.
That's weird. I haven't had issues even with my 7D. :confused:

[Harm]

nor me with my 40D

[thenextguy]

100% crops, f1.6, iso 400. Camera didn't move between crops, crops just aren't centered identically. Focused on middle of cross. Didn't do anything but push the AF/shutter release 4 times in a row.


I'm going to try this exact same test tonight and I'll post the results. I haven't noticed any problems when shooting, but now I'm curious.

[thenextguy]

I said I would post the results, but they really don't show anything. I shot wide open about 1.5 feet away (.16 feet Dof) and nailed focus every shot.

Something is definitely screwy with that other lens.

[marcus riley]

I said I would post the results, but they really don't show anything. I shot wide open about 1.5 feet away (.16 feet Dof) and nailed focus every shot.

Something is definitely screwy with that other lens.

thenextguy-
Would you mind trying again at a little longer distance? Maybe around 7-8 feet? I've found that mine is pretty consistent up close and seems to get worse farther away than close up.


It seems like if any review (reviews on Amazon, Canon, fredmiranda, etc) says anything bad about this lens it is only about focus issues. Most people praise it, but the one negative things I see (besides people complaining about the price) is about AF problems. I saw 1-2 people complain of sharpness issues unless stopped down, but that makes me wonder if they are actually dealing with focus issues and just haven't recognized it as such.

I have no doubt that many of them are fine, but I have started wondering if there is some kind of consistent sample variation or quality control issue that is affecting this lens.

Ross- When my lens misses, it could be front or back focused, but I've started noticing that it seems to miss in front of the subject about twice as much as it does behind. I remember my first copy with wild focus issues could be pointed at the side of a house and front focus 20 feet infront of the house, where there is nothing to confuse the focus system. Does yours also have a trend like this or is it completely random when it misses?

Mine also seems to be a little Jekyll and Hyde. I'll walk around and take pictures and everything is perfect, and then an hour later, taking pictures of all the same subjects, everything is front focused (without touching MA), an hour after that, there are more back focus issues, and then later everything might be perfect again.

At times, the way it hunts or jumps back and forth looking for focus, even when the light is good makes me feel like the lens or focus system just can't 'see' the targets well enough, even though there is a lot of light and it's pointed at very high-contrast areas. But that's the way it seems to act.

[LiberationFrequency]

Im posting so I subscribe.

I want this thing... so bad.

[thenextguy]

thenextguy-
Would you mind trying again at a little longer distance? Maybe around 7-8 feet?

Shot about 6 feet away, just clicked the shutter button four times in a row.

Not too bad, but the third obviously missed.

Edit: All shot wide open, ISO 100.

http://i.imgur.com/czTG6.jpg
http://imgur.com/fFX26.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j5t2s.jpg
http://imgur.com/jsejn.jpg

I ran another test similar to the previous one except I moved focus away in between each shot. It's probably just a coincidence, but I also got one miss out of the four.

[jwcdds]

I did 2 tests. 1 with a dark box on a relatively white background but in somewhat low-light setting here in my den, ran 4 shots, 3/4 were sharp. And like TNG, I think the 3rd shot was slightly OOF.

2nd test, I decided to focus on the door frame. Door was propped open and I could see the hallway. To my eyes, there was actually less contrast, but the object (door frame) did take up more of the AF spot point (which might have helped). In any case, I ran off 8 shots. I would say 7/8 were as sharp as I can expect them to be, with the 1st of the series of 8 being very slightly OOF. And the door frame was about 10' away from my camera position.

In between each shot, I defocused the lens manually.

[marcus riley]

Ya, I also tried testing by reseting the focus between each shot and also by I just pushing the button 4 times, without touching anything else, and the results are about the same, no real difference. Sometimes, I'm getting 1:4 out of focus, like you; but other times I only get 1:4 in focus; but it doesn't seem to be dependent on whether I reset the focus ring each time or not.

But my problems don't show up much at less than 3 feet, but it especially seems to struggle between after about 4-5 feet. I actually shot 4 pictures in a row at 2-2.5 feet that were all basically in focus (even though there were still slight variations between them, but no big misses).

[marcus riley]

Julian,

Guess what, I just took 4 pictures of a door frame that is about 10' away and 3/4 were in focus. Guess which one was out of focus? Yep, the 3rd shot was the one OOF.

[jwcdds]

I guess the 24L (or Canon's in general) are allergic to the 3rd shot. :lol:

What happens if you take 8? Is the 1st one that's slightly OOF then? ;) That would be trippy.

[marcus riley]

Out of 8 close up: I got 3 that are sharp, 3 slightly OOF, 2 very OOF.

With 8 farther away: I got 4 in pretty sharp, 1 slightly OOF, 3 very OOF.

Of course, if I do the same test back to back, I get different results. One thing that I noticed with 8 pictures though, is that the sharp and OOF pictures alternated (every other one). It makes sense because with each push of the AF, the focus jumps either forward or backwards.

It looks like, when it jumps backward, those are the pictures in focus, and when it jumps forward, that's when the pictures are front focused.

So, is this a front focusing lens that AF-jumps backwards for every other picture; or, is it a well-calibrated lens that jumps forward for every other picture? (kind of like "zebras have white stripes or black stripes :). Regardless, it jumps out of focus for at least every other picture, sometimes even more often.

[Ross_Curtis]

Ross- When my lens misses, it could be front or back focused, but I've started noticing that it seems to miss in front of the subject about twice as much as it does behind. I remember my first copy with wild focus issues could be pointed at the side of a house and front focus 20 feet infront of the house, where there is nothing to confuse the focus system. Does yours also have a trend like this or is it completely random when it misses?

I found mine to be totally random - although more often than not it front focused. I've not noticed a coralation between inaccurance and focus distance.

Interestingly when using my flash focus aid the accuracy has improved hugely.

[Max Powers]

This lens looks awesome, but am I the only person who dislikes star shaped street lights?

[jwcdds]

This lens looks awesome, but am I the only person who dislikes star shaped street lights?

Hm? You mean whenever a lens is stopped down to like f/11-f/22 ish? It's just how it is.

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Family/Misc/20110209-IMG1531/1183182630_zcLtt-XL.jpg

[Max Powers]

Hm? You mean whenever a lens is stopped down to like f/11-f/22 ish? It's just how it is.

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Family/Misc/20110209-IMG1531/1183182630_zcLtt-XL.jpg

For every lens or just that one?

It seems to me that some lenses are worse for this than others. IE my 50mm 1.8. Looks terrible IMO. I don't get it nearly as bad with my 17-85mm (which I also dislike).

[thenextguy]

It happens with every lens, but I think how it looks is influenced by the number of aperture blades.

[Max Powers]

It happens with every lens, but I think how it looks is influenced by the number of aperture blades.

That makes sense. I suppose the less blades, the more pronounced the star effect?

Hmm

[jwcdds]

Here's a couple of links with some info on "starbursts":

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/starburst-effects.html

http://www.slrlounge.com/diffraction-aperture-and-starburst-effects

[joonrhee]

My boy got a new haircut. :D

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/5434904435_218fa0c506_z.jpg

[marcus riley]

Just a quick snapshot from the other night.

http://marcus2137.smugmug.com/photos/1184162136_VHTH9-L.jpg

[jwcdds]

My boy got a new haircut. :D

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/5434904435_218fa0c506_z.jpg

Haha... awesome.

[joonrhee]

Thanks Julian :D

[Tim Park]

I'm always impressed with this lens every time I pull it out at an event...

1.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/yoon-80th-03b.jpg

2.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/yoon-80th-16.jpg

3.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/yoon-80th-18b.jpg

4.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/yoon-80th-09.jpg

[jwcdds]

I'm always wow'd by your photos, Tim. Mind sharing the lighting setup on that last photo w/ the 2 kids? I am assuming you're doing ceiling bounce on the first 3. But the 4th one w/ the 2 girls... the light source appears to be camera left. Not sure if you had a wall to bounce off of (I'm assuming it's bounced since it's rather diffuse and pleasant). Or perhaps you're just incredibly good at fill-flash. :)

[joonrhee]

Wow Tim, your photos are once again super nice!!! Love your processing too. :D

[hieu1004]

Excellent photo(s) Joon and Tim!

[Omaru]

From last shoot.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5410700914_c95b32d8c6_o.jpg

[Tim Park]

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the nice words.

Julian, for that shot, there was some sunlight coming in through the front glass doors several feet behind me. It was still a bit dark because of the light fall off, so I bounced my flash off the wall (camera left) to supplement it.

[jwcdds]

Fantastic Omaru! It's got a bit of the Snow White feel to it (if there had been a mirror). :lol:

@Tim: Ah. That explains the shadows on the floor. Thanks for the info. :)

[joonrhee]

Thanks Hieu. :)

[Harm]

more blades = more star effect.

simply because of the light bending ever so slightly at each tip:
http://harm.smugmug.com/Australia/Sydney/IMG1247/1167174947_tKzF3-XL.jpg

[marcus riley]

more blades = more star effect.

simply because of the light bending ever so slightly at each tip:
http://harm.smugmug.com/Australia/Sydney/IMG1247/1167174947_tKzF3-XL.jpg

But also, even number of blades give the same number of star points. Odd number of blades give twice the number of points. So 8 blades=8 points, 7 blades=14 points.

[marcus riley]

Talk to me really quickly about warranty:

I read something recently that said that the L lenses have an international warranty. Is this true? Are there any limits on which countries? Somehow I haven't heard of this before.

I've been looking at this lens and it isn't any better than the last 2 were (or the used one I had before). Outside with good light, at LEAST 50% of my pictures are VERY OOF (more often front than back focus). At f4 the lens becomes usable since the DOF starts to cover some of the focus mistakes, but it still is obviously OOF about 25%.

I paid to have the last lens adjusted in the country I live, but it didn't fix the inconsistent issues. I didn't even try to take the recent, but if the warranty actually can help me, I'm taking this lens in with a receipt to see if they will honor it.

[marcus riley]

Update, I dropped it off at Canon. They said that the warranty is only for the U.S. so it wouldn't be honored here. Instead of just adjusting it while I waited, they ended up keeping it. At this point, I don't care if I have to pay some to have it fixed, I just want one that works.

[x_tan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5439954132_43b6985786_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/x_tan/5439954132/)

[marcus riley]

So Canon here just called and said that they need to open the lens up to adjust it. Normally, you pay about $15 for them to adjust focus here, but they want to open it and adjust it/examine it and charge $65 (+any extra parts that need to be replaced).

The problem is that if they open it up to work on it, 1. I probably wouldn't be able to return it and 2. Depending on their policy, Canon USA might have grounds to void my warranty there, leaving me stuck with a malfunctioning lens.

I probably won't be back to the USA before Christmas (so, if I keep the lens, it would just be sitting on a shelf until then, when I could get Canon USA to work on it.) I have 1 opportunity to send the lens back to the US store for a refund. After that, I can't send anything back to the US, and nothing can be brought here to me (no one coming to visit). So, I feel like I've got my back against the wall.

Any advice?

[jwcdds]

If I were in your shoes... I would probably return the 24L and wait until I'm back in the States. For some reason, Canon service in your current neck of the woods can't seem to get it right. So short of chancing opening up the lens (and possibly not being able to fix it) and ruining the warranty when you do get back, that's just too much money to go through that hassle.

I'd perhaps pick up a 35L, or 28/1.8 or something to hold me over until I can battle it out in America. :D

[Canonswhitelensesrule]

Has anyone who owns this lens ever photographed the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)?

[toshiro7]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5444065155_95653e6d21_b.jpg

[marcus riley]

If I were in your shoes... I would probably return the 24L and wait until I'm back in the States. For some reason, Canon service in your current neck of the woods can't seem to get it right. So short of chancing opening up the lens (and possibly not being able to fix it) and ruining the warranty when you do get back, that's just too much money to go through that hassle.

I'd perhaps pick up a 35L, or 28/1.8 or something to hold me over until I can battle it out in America. :D

The Canon here HAS done a good job in the past (had lenses' AF adjusted, even replaced a USM motor in one, all were great), but ya they're having a tough time with this one. I'm just not sure if they just don't want to mess with it, or don't actually know how.

After some pushing, Canon agreed that before opening it up, they would have their most experienced and best tech look at it and see if he could figure out what was going on, without having to take it apart.

But ya, I kind of agree that the risk of having them open it up, without the assurance that it will be fixed, is a little to risky for me (since I COULD end up voiding the warranty. If they can't let me know what's going on without taking it apart, I'll have to return it or figure out what to do with it.

One problem is that I just got married. I first bought this lens (the original copy) before getting married, and I'm not sure how likely it would be that I'd be able to afford it again if I return it. I have a general rule that once I have a lens in my possession, it's like equity, and I should never let a lens become cash again. So, for the last few years, I have mostly just traded equipment, and I'd prefer not to let this lens turn back into money... the cash might not become a lens again now that I'm married...

I had a 28mm f1.8 before (two actual, and not because of issues but because I sold one to my friend who really wanted it, and then replaced it because I liked it so much). I just really wanted f1.4, the better IQ wide open, and the weather sealing (all useful to me). But, I might end up going back to something like that for now. Truth is though that no one else is coming from the U.S. for a while, and I don't feel super-comfortable buying very expensive gear here PLUS everything costs more (which got me into the current situation).

[jwcdds]

Well, maybe their best tech will have some luck with it. :)

You should just set aside a photography gear fund. Like a separate savings account. :D So if you were to return the 24Lii and get the money back, it gets funneled to the account and not touched until later on. So it's like that money was still absent/spent and can't be used for anything else. That way, when you do make your way back to the States, you can battle it out with Canon once more. :D

[Omaru]

Happy Valentine's!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5447067393_33abe649c8_o.jpg

[coirchlid]

Too bad I already have a valentine... :)

[jwcdds]

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Family/Alexander/20110214-IMG1714/1188218693_XJv7H-XL.jpg

[marcus riley]

Well, maybe their best tech will have some luck with it. :)

You should just set aside a photography gear fund. Like a separate savings account. :D So if you were to return the 24Lii and get the money back, it gets funneled to the account and not touched until later on. So it's like that money was still absent/spent and can't be used for anything else. That way, when you do make your way back to the States, you can battle it out with Canon once more. :D

Update: so the best technician looked it over and said that they can't fix it. He is the second tech now to tell me that there is a design flaw in the 24Lii. I don't know what to believe. He said that the best they could do is to open it up and start replacing parts and they MIGHT get it to work well, but of course I would have to pay for everything. When asked how many out of 10 lenses wouldn't have this problem (when considering the odds if I returned it that I would get another problem lens), he said that there would only be 1-2 out of 20 that would work well. I'm not sure if I believe everything he said, but I don't know what to think really. His explanation was that since it's a wide angle with such a large aperture, it's very hard to design the AF system to be accurate enough and be consistent.

If this lens had as many problems as he makes it sound like though, I feel like more people would have said something (like with the 50L focus shift). I also have had 2 28mm f1.8s before, and neither of them had issues like this; and those lenses are almost as wide and almost as fast. So, it's a little hard to swallow, but then again, I've gotten 3 problem lenses in a row...

I've also not heard anything back from Canon USA. I feel mostly ignored in my attempts to contact them for advice/suggestions.

Now what?

[Tim Park]

Julian, your boy is getting so big! He's as handsome as ever!

[marcus riley]

Well, got my lens back from Canon today. Still won't focus right. They only adjusted the focus electronically. After explaining to me again that it's a wide angle large aperture lens, therefor it can't focus well past 1 meter; I borrowed their sample copy (a beat up UX04 copy) and discovered that while their lens wasn't perfect either (front focused a little, but I quickly dialed it in using MA), it did NOT have the consistency issues like mine. Out of 20-30 sample pictures around Canon's lobby, a few were off, but off only by a little (Which I expect from any lens in those conditions. So, I'm happy that I was able to experience a 24L2 that doesn't have the issues my last 3 have been suffering with, but I'm not sure it helps me at all.

So, I guess I'm sending the lens back, and I'm not sure if I'm going to be willing to ever try it again or not. Maybe if I can test it out first, but that would mean either buying a used one (so probably no warranty, which is scary considering the issues these lenses have given me already), or paying tax to buy a new one when I'm back in LA.

As a side note, the lack of response from Canon USA has been very discouraging and disappointing. I guess they have better things to do...

[jwcdds]

Julian, your boy is getting so big! He's as handsome as ever!

Thanks Tim. Yeah, he's sprouting like weed. It's funny watching him grow. :)

Maybe if I can test it out first, but that would mean either buying a used one (so probably no warranty, which is scary considering the issues these lenses have given me already), or paying tax to buy a new one when I'm back in LA.

As a side note, the lack of response from Canon USA has been very discouraging and disappointing. I guess they have better things to do...

Well, certainly is encouraging that you've experienced better(properly?) working copies of the 24Lii. You should tell the service department that you'll trade them lenses. Sounds like an equal trade to me. :)

I honestly think you should wait until you're back in the States before you try again. Less aggravation, IMO.

[marcus riley]

Well, certainly is encouraging that you've experienced better(properly?) working copies of the 24Lii. You should tell the service department that you'll trade them lenses. Sounds like an equal trade to me. :)

I honestly think you should wait until you're back in the States before you try again. Less aggravation, IMO.

Ya, on one hand encouraging, on the other hand, kind of frustrating. I sat there and considered a trade, but their copy was pretty beat up and abused. I might try again in the future when back in the States, but I'm giving up for now. Thanks for the help guys.

Marcus

I have found many other occurences of this lens having the exact problem I've described, here are a couple:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=37456051
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=32332462
and there are some others. One thing I've been looking for is for someone, with the same issues I'm having, to report that Canon successfully adjusted/fixed their lens, and I just haven't found a single case where the user reported back with a cured AF. So, that persuades me to definitely return this copy while I still can.

[GMCPhotographics]

I have a 24IIL and I've had very little issues with it. Where as my 35L is either AF accurate at MFD or Infinity....but not both! I keep meaning to drop it into Canon service and get it sorted.
The last link that you posted, I have commented on that forum posting about their AF calibration technique....quite frankly, if that's how they are testing their lenses then I'm not surprised at all.
Testing lenses late at night under tunsten light using a black len cap as a target is asking for problems. Test lenses using the 4x focal length rule, under bright daylight (daylime) conditions and use a decent paper target.

[Tim Park]

From a recent party at a cool restaurant in Culver City, CA...

1.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/luke-07b.jpg


2.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/luke-12.jpg


3.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/luke-38.jpg


4.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/luke-03b.jpg


5.
http://www.timparkphotography.com/images/luke-36.jpg

[joonrhee]

Nice shots Tim! My friend, William Shin is the owner there! Awesome! :D

[Tim Park]

Nice shots Tim! My friend, William Shin is the owner there! Awesome! :D

Thanks, Joon. How cool that your friend owns that restaurant! It's become a very popular spot for first birthday parties!

[jdizzle]

^Nice party shots Tim! Love your stuff!

[Harm]

some skies...I added the T/S effects, since we're not all loaded like Julian....

http://harm.smugmug.com/TiltShift-1/Tilt/IMG0565/1191269835_uLQu8-XL.jpg

[jwcdds]

^ I concur with Julian re: Tim's photos.

@Harm: niiiiIIIiice!

[Tim Park]

Thanks Julian x2!

[Harm]

Thanks Julian :D

Nice stuff, Tim

[jdizzle]

some skies...I added the T/S effects, since we're not all loaded like Julian....

http://harm.smugmug.com/TiltShift-1/Tilt/IMG0565/1191269835_uLQu8-XL.jpg
Hehe! :):p

[.mark.]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5458996120_218e7f124f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5458996120/)
Day Fifty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5458996120/) by mark_stevo (http://www.flickr.com/people/mark_stevo/), on Flickr

[hieu1004]

http://hieu.smugmug.com/Pets/Pets/IMG0838/1192146106_cG8g6-XL.jpg

[Tim Park]

Thanks, Harm!

[.mark.]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5459340357_bb4a3bcea8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5459340357/)
St. Ouens (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5459340357/) by mark_stevo (http://www.flickr.com/people/mark_stevo/), on Flickr

[newworld666]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5459340357_bb4a3bcea8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5459340357/)
St. Ouens (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5459340357/) by mark_stevo (http://www.flickr.com/people/mark_stevo/), on Flickr

Super Joli !!!!

[treblekicker]

Still my most used and go-to lens.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5339670594_38d3aef225_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5339670594/)
IMG_3641 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5339670594/) by trebbble (http://www.flickr.com/people/trebbble/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5326296834_ff275eea8a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5326296834/)
IMG_3513 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5326296834/) by trebbble (http://www.flickr.com/people/trebbble/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5321339271_66ceda7b7f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5321339271/)
IMG_3498 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5321339271/) by trebbble (http://www.flickr.com/people/trebbble/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5371346249_63a3c1f7e3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5371346249/)
IMG_3974 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5371346249/) by trebbble (http://www.flickr.com/people/trebbble/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5328585013_7a64b3abac_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5328585013/)
IMG_3526 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5328585013/) by trebbble (http://www.flickr.com/people/trebbble/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5322203889_de7cfdb565_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5322203889/)
IMG_3504 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5322203889/) by trebbble (http://www.flickr.com/people/trebbble/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5305578050_66f6369fa6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5305578050/)
IMG_3943 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5305578050/) by trebbble (http://www.flickr.com/people/trebbble/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5284897838_f2019f3b41_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5284897838/)
IMG_3859 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trebbble/5284897838/) by trebbble (http://www.flickr.com/people/trebbble/), on Flickr

[jwcdds]

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Family/Alexander/20110217-IMG1818/1192644025_MXgSM-L.jpg

[jwcdds]

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Family/The-Furballs/20110219-IMG1868/1192712543_D3P4z-L.jpg

[.mark.]

Super Joli !!!!

thanks :D

[.mark.]

Still my most used and go-to lens.

Great set!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5461965770_3354b3c919_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5461965770/)
Day Fifty One (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_stevo/5461965770/) by mark_stevo (http://www.flickr.com/people/mark_stevo/), on Flickr

[newworld666]

Some shots in nice restaurant with one star in Michelin guide..

24L has a comfortable MFD for such test ..

FullHD size by clicking on pictures

http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7016/1192741522_Drzjx-XL.jpg (http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7016/1192741522_Drzjx-O.jpg)

http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7019/1192741826_HJSEW-XL.jpg (http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7019/1192741826_HJSEW-O.jpg)

http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7026/1192742407_uEmkK-XL.jpg (http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7026/1192742407_uEmkK-O.jpg)

http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7029/1192742793_wCHJj-XL.jpg (http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7029/1192742793_wCHJj-O.jpg)

http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7042/1192743090_XQwqC-XL.jpg (http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7042/1192743090_XQwqC-O.jpg)

http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7049/1192743168_LZUzB-XL.jpg (http://photos.corbi.eu/Friends/2011-02-19-La-Poularde/MG7049/1192743168_LZUzB-O.jpg)

[.mark.]

^ making me hungry! Looks amazing...

[hieu1004]

http://hieu.smugmug.com/Photography/HDR/IMG08686970HDRClarity/1193457945_PFcez-XL.jpg

http://hieu.smugmug.com/Photography/HDR/IMG088678HDRPortrait-Drama/1193458699_a7UVC-XL.jpg

[hieu1004]

http://hieu.smugmug.com/Photography/HDR/IMG090123tonemappedClarity/1193458873_gQHaQ-XL.jpg

[toshiro7]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5467847170_18992d275c_b.jpg

[newworld666]

:rolleyes: Did you do perspective correction in Post Processing (PTlens or Adobe ?)

[toshiro7]

:rolleyes: Did you do perspective correction in Post Processing (PTlens or Adobe ?)

nope, no correction at all

[marcus riley]

Call me crazy, but I'm getting my 4th copy sent to me. I've seen the potential of this lens and just can't bring myself to give up on it. But, this is definitely the last try. Wish me luck.

[GMCPhotographics]

Good luck bud!

[newworld666]

nope, no correction at all

So well done ;) ...

You definitely know how to use a 24mm on a Full Frame, and get a good perspective without using a Tilt and Shift Lens :lol:

I wish I would be concentrate more often to do it like you !

[Harm]

^ making me hungry! Looks amazing...

If it tastes half as good as it looks, we're in for a treat....

[Harm]

http://harm.smugmug.com/Australia/Sydney/IMG3791/1118101719_rvGjd-XL.jpg

[jwcdds]

http://julianchen.smugmug.com/Misc/Lens/Canon-24L-II/20110222-IMG2173/1196106039_9y3QQ-XL.jpg

[jasonleehl]

Call me crazy, but I'm getting my 4th copy sent to me. I've seen the potential of this lens and just can't bring myself to give up on it. But, this is definitely the last try. Wish me luck.

Good luck marcus! I'm getting the 24L next month in HK and I hope to see nothing of the sorts you encountered. 24L is just sweet on FF and 1.3x crop and I'm taking a bet from what I hear from you.

[Sdiver2489]

God this thread scared me...pages of people complaining about focus trouble. I am coming from a 35L which I liked alright on my 50D. I'd say I'd rate it a 7/10. The problem was two fold, first it was just too tight of a FOV on crop and second there were some crazy Longitudinal aberrations that popped up here and there.

I mostly care about the first so I hope I made the right decision going to a 24L II on a crop camera. I finally went back far enough to start seeing some crop results and the FOV looks exactly what I am looking for. A little emphasis of depth but not so much that every shot feels the same. The 35L is great on full frame I'm sure, but I guess I found the 50mm equiv. focal length generally boring as it kinda leaves everything feeling flat.

Oh and I got a 7D on the way with it! Here's hoping I'm sharing some random pictures here soon!

[KarlG-]

Yeah, the comments about focus trouble scared me as well! Then, when I got it & it wasn't that sharp out of the box, I was worried that I'd have to send it back.... MA to the rescue, +13 later & I can't complain at all! Great focusing, even in low light (see below).

Two shots from a mate's band gig last week with the 24L:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5474270025_ff791d9ee8_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5474270425_a7dbd63577_b.jpg

[toshiro7]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5476047434_bf8ee1ef38_b.jpg

[jwcdds]

^ I say submit that to Microsoft so they can make that the windows 8 background (but make sure you get paid handsomely). :lol:

Wonderful image. Can't imagine anywhere so serene and pristine since I live in SoCal, the land-o-smog. :)

[Sdiver2489]

Well damn....my copy had erratic focusing with my new 7D. All my old lenses work fine with the new 7D so far so back it goes. Now I don't know if I should order another or wait.

[Sdiver2489]

So I ordered a new copy through Amazon this time(I believe they have free return shipping). It will arrive tomorrow. If it is screwy as well then I'll just pass on this lens for now and be sad that I don't have a fast prime anymore.

[Harm]

that is really odd - regarding your lens too...

[Sdiver2489]

that is really odd - regarding your lens too...

Yeah it seems completely random...focus was confirmed each time(sometime multiple times). Used both spot and single AF point focus modes on 7D. Aimed for different targets. Sometimes it was dead on...sometimes completely OOF(front focused), sometimes just a little off. Not something I could fix with MA. I am use to fast lenses as well so I can't say its just my inexperience(traded a 35L for this lens)

[mananetwork]

http://www.mananetwork.net/wp-content/gallery/whistler/wss_57.jpg
http://www.mananetwork.net/wp-content/gallery/whistler/wss_24.jpg
http://www.mananetwork.net/wp-content/gallery/whistler/wss_29.jpg
http://www.mananetwork.net/wp-content/gallery/whistler/wss_55.jpg

All photos (except for 1) in this blog were taken with the 24LII

http://www.mananetwork.net/2011/02/whistler-brew-mountain-brew-hut-snow-shoeing-expedition/

[marcus riley]

Sometimes it was dead on...sometimes completely OOF(front focused),

Your lens sounds just like mine. Random misses, sometimes dead on. I did notice that when it missed it would front-focus more than it would back focus (even though it did both). Sometimes when focusing on a mountain miles away, the lens would focus 10feet in front of me. Other times, it would focus 10feet behind something.

Hoping the new one is perfect for me too.

[Sdiver2489]

Your lens sounds just like mine. Random misses, sometimes dead on. I did notice that when it missed it would front-focus more than it would back focus (even though it did both). Sometimes when focusing on a mountain miles away, the lens would focus 10feet in front of me. Other times, it would focus 10feet behind something.

Hoping the new one is perfect for me too.

Same here, when I shot something about 15 ft away it would sometimes be dead on...othertimes a little front focused....othertimes 5 ft front focused. I don't recall it every back focusing. I really hope that the lens that comes tomorrow will be perfect. Because boy oh boy did I like 24mm on crop. That's the only reason I didn't want to go with the sigma. The 35L was too long, I don't think the sigma will be wide enough still. 24mm was just right.

[Jam.radonc]

Cliffs of Moher at f8 ISO 400 on a rather rocky boat.
515733

[Sdiver2489]

Lens 2 - obviously returned by another customer(top piece of foam was upside-down) with pouch not in its holder. Still erratic focus. Focus seems good within 10 ft or so away...anymore than that and I have no idea where it will end up.

[marcus riley]

Sdiver2489--What's the date code on that one?

[hieu1004]

http://hieu.smugmug.com/Photography/Still-Life/IMG0917/1199127473_FKesn-XL.jpg

[Sdiver2489]

Sdiver2489--What's the date code on that one?

UY-something or other. I already sent it back.

[marcus riley]

Just tested my 4th copy. It has inconsistent focus is the same as the others, focus just continually readjusts. 1 out of 4 pictures in a series in focus, just like the other 3. It's going back and I'm done with this lens. I might try out a version 1 copy or just go b back to the 28/f1.8. Thanks for the advice and help guys. If you have a good one, hang on to it; if you buy one, test it...

Later
Marcus
Marcus

[agphotography]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5480482976_7a4612fc36_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/agphotography/5480482976/)
A Break In The Rain. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/agphotography/5480482976/) by Abram Goglanian (http://www.flickr.com/people/agphotography/), on Flickr

Took this today with my 1DmkIII. I find the 24L and the 1D go very well together :)

[jdizzle]

^Nice monochrome Abram. :)

[agphotography]

Thanks Julian. I'm still trying to figure out HDR processing. I haven't quite mastered that yet. I tried this one in HDR PRO in Photoshop CS5. It's a 7-exposure blend.

[Sdiver2489]

Alright...so I'm a sucker and a 3rd one is on the way. This time from B&H...really didn't see any complaints on BH of any issues...which is interesting. Hoping its a bad batch that got shipped out or something. In addition I ordered a Siggy 30mm...in the battle of the inconsistent focusing lenses who wants to bet on this Canon?

Its a little sad considering I sold the 35L to get a wider FOV, the siggy 30mm is a slight improvement on that but the 24mm is definitely more ideal for everyday shooting on a crop.

[davo_robbo]

few recents from a couples session. More on the blog with a behind the scenes video
http://www.davidrobertson.com.au/couples/canberra-photographer/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5483683068_5fef324838_o.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5483089527_11b0fa1bbe_o.jpg

[mananetwork]

^ Just went through your stuff, great work! Let me add you to twitter ;)