Canon 24-105 L IS backup?

I have been using a Canon 24-105 since they were released and I am very happy with it. I use it as my general walk-around lens as well as for landscapes along with a 17-40 and Sigma 12-24 with a 70-200 f2.8 IS or 100-400 L IS if I need more reach, most of the time on FF bodies. For wildlife/birds I use a Canon 500 or 600 L IS f4.

I often travel long distances into the "bush" and I like to take backup equipment, at least 3 bodies and a few lenses and herein lies my problem. I have no real backup for the 24-105, if it should fail somewhere in Dark Africa or other place I will be left with a huge gap in my focal length collection. Do I, as a backup buy a second 24-105? It feels like a bit of a waste, I would like to try a different lens of similar focal length and at least similar performance.

I have considered a 24-70 but looking at what I use it will often be too short and cause frustration.

It does not have to be Canon, I own several lenses by other manufacturers that I am happy with.

Any suggestions??

Thanks!
Rudi

If it's just going to sit in your bag as a backup, how about 28-135? It'd be a shame to spend all that money on a 24-70 if you know you'll never use it.

I use a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 as a backup to my 24-105L. It is small and lightweight and produces great images. It does not focus as fast as my 24-105L especially in low light even though it is a stop faster and it does not have IS but it is a very good backup in case something happens to my L.

Canon 28-105 USM II if you can find one s/h

Thanks guys, I will have a look at your suggestions, it also depends what I can find locally on relative short notice as my next trip is only a week away!

How does the 28-135 image quality compare to the 24-105? Even though it is a backup lens I still want good IQ, the 1DS2/3's I use are harsh on lenses......

I would also recomend the 28-135 It compares well see here

Before I got my 24-105, I used a EF24-85 f/3.5-4.5, which I eventually kept as a backup. No IS, and not as sharp in the corners of course, but very portable, and focuses very quickly. I got it used from KEH.

Maxdave

megrac wrote in post #12258189
I would also recomend the 28-135 It compares well see here

Thanks for the link! It makes it easy to see how the lenses compare, the 28-135 looks good!

Maxdave wrote in post #12258254
Before I got my 24-105, I used a EF24-85 f/3.5-4.5, which I eventually kept as a backup. No IS, and not as sharp in the corners of course, but very portable, and focuses very quickly. I got it used from KEH.

Maxdave

Thanks Maxdave, I will have a look at the 24-85, have not seen one around here but will make a few calls!

Rudi