16-35L II to 24mm TS-E II - what should I expect?

I've been using flickriver.com to look at samples taken with different lenses. So I got to the 24 TS-E and I have to say, I was blown away, more than any samples from any other lens. I don't think I saw one image that was even average, all of them were just phenomenal! Then I started reading about this lens and it turns out it is one of CANON's very finest. And then considering all the "tricks" this lens is capable of on top of it's superb image quality, well, I'm really considering getting one now. I shoot architecture mostly so it makes much sense for me. And also, I've started to avoid going wider than 20mm with the 16-35 for various reasons. I think 24 mm for architecture is perfect (when you have the space of course).

For those who owned or still own both, what are the differences between the two in terms of image quality? My question is mostly about the image quality characteristics. Obviously one can tilt and shift and the other is a zoom with AF.

I have both of these lenses and really can't fault either. The 16-35 is my walk around lens and it is a very solid performer. The 24TS-E on the other hand is unbelievable. The images just pop, almost a 3D look would be best way to describe. Is a massive lens though and has 82mm filter size which is same as 16-35 which is good. I wouldn't part with either. Considering the 16-35 is a zoom I am really happy with image quality, just doesn't have the 'pop' that the 24 has. Also sometimes you need AF so 16-35 is very handy in that FL range.

TSE is a manual focus lens, and use of Live View 5-10X is extremely helpful (I would consider it almost essential) with adjustments of tilt angle and focus. One uses the magnified LV screen to move about in the frame for tilt adjustment as the tilt and focus affect one another. While you are using LV for TSE, also engage Live View Silent Shooting, and forget mirror lock up as LV SS has less vibration. Architecture applications normally use shift to straighten perspective distortion, and this is easier to adjust and can be done with the viewfinder. Expect to work slowly on a tripod as adjusting tilt, particularly close to the ground, is very time consuming. By contrast the 16-35 use is quite fast, and all fine tune adjustments have to be done in post.

IQ: The 24 TSE, unshifted, has much better corner sharpness and much less CA everywhere. Thus sharper details in the corners and slightly better color/contrast over the zoom. At full shift the TSE will exhibit some IQ loss and vignetting along the edges of the shift; this is to be expected.

http://www.dpreview.co​m …ews/canon_24_3p​5_tse_c10/

http://www.dpreview.co​m …viewConfigurati​on.xml%3F2

check out the comparative sharpness and CA at f4, 5.6, 8. Its very easy to predict which lens will yield cleaner results.
The 24 TSE II is among Canon's very best lenses for IQ.
Mike K

Thanks guys, looks like I'll have to part with 2K soon.

Seems perspective correction with the 24TSE is tricky though? On this forum, a lot of the samples I see are over corrected and the buildings in them are straight but look anorexic, not a good look. What do you guys think?

The TS-E 24L II is really a phenomenal lens.

Uhh, what they say. TS-E24II on the 5DII is mind blowing.

I should NOT have clicked on this thread... I came very close to purchasing the L 24mm II last week... now I am tempted by the TS-E....

The biggest lens mistake I've made is getting the 24L mkI and not spending the extra $300 for the mkII. I still love the 24L mkI though.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #11997300
Seems perspective correction with the 24TSE is tricky though? On this forum, a lot of the samples I see are over corrected and the buildings in them are straight but look anorexic, not a good look.

If you prefer you can under correct the perspective distortion a bit. Many do that anyway as they feel it looks more "normal" to them. Then the buildings lean back just a bit, otherwise with parallel sides they may seem too stretched out. Perspective distortion is much easier to adjust when shooting than are tilt adjustments, which can be be very sensitive. Whereas perspective distortion one can retweek in PS, if you get tilt wrong, you can't bring back sharpness in post.

thanks for sharing that website, i've never seen it before!

There's nothing more to say about this lens. Just buy it!