Does the 24-70 ii lack that "prime magic"?

I've been contemplating picking up a 24-70ii down the line sometime, and have been obsessively going over sample pics here and on Flickr.

It's an awesome lens, technically superb, but the samples I'm seeing don't have that certain
"look". Doesn't seem like it's all a DOF issue either. I've compared pictures shot at equivalent focal lengths at f/2.8 between the 24-70ii and say the 35L or the 50L, and the latter lenses seems to have more of that dreamy 3D look to the pics.

Of course this could just be purely subjective, but I did want to get owners' opinions on this.

What is prime magic? Not all primes have a dreamy bokeh.

Why would a zoom have that "prime magic"

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16936026
I've been contemplating picking up a 24-70ii down the line sometime, and have been obsessively going over sample pics here and on Flickr.

It's an awesome lens, technically superb, but the samples I'm seeing don't have that certain
"look". Doesn't seem like it's all a DOF issue either. I've compared pictures shot at equivalent focal lengths at f/2.8 between the 24-70ii and say the 35L or the 50L, and the latter lenses seems to have more of that dreamy 3D look to the pics.

Of course this could just be purely subjective, but I did want to get owners' opinions on this.

I am a prime lover, and recently I picked the 24-70 II .. I was a little disappointed that I don't get the same delicious bokeh and Image that I get with my 35L for example, but it's grown on me, for those occasions where you just need to take pictures quick (like family get togethers, or quick trips) .. it's cracking, best zoom there is i'd say

Worthwhile having in the lens arsenal.

I thought the bokeh from the 24-70II was really nice. Great microcontrast, and can produce very good subject isolation. It's not quite the dreamy, 3D look some primes can give you though. I think the point of the 24-70II is versatility. Not my words, but someone on POTN said not long ago "it's a jack of many trades, and an expert in none." Well, I'd say that's true, expect it is amazing and prime-like at 24mm IMO.

closest to prime magic is the 70-200mk2, and even then, it's just close. Really versatile and really heavy.

Heya,

Focal length and aperture being the same, the resulting image should look pretty close if all things are the same. The MKII is pretty sharp for a zoom. It's nearly as sharp as the really sharp primes. It's sharper than some other primes. But it simply cannot replicate the look of F1.4 or F2 for the same focal lengths. If the MKII were a longer focal length, it would produce similar results, kind of like the 70-200 MKII, which can definitely deliver some very good isolation and blur at 200mm F2.8. But the bottom line is using something 50~70mm on that 24-70, at F2.8, just doesn't isolate the way something with a wider aperture will. I know that's common knowledge, but it's the bottom line.

The 24-70 MKII is a great lens, it's all about convenience but with the added property of having really good image quality, and naturally, it costs a ton to suite.

I'm not particularly drawn to any of the 24-70's. I just have no need to have 24mm and 70mm on the same lens. And I certainly don't care for F2.8 on something that costs $2.5k. For that cost, I'd rather cover those focal lengths that I use most often, with primes that have F1.4 respectively. I'm not a convenience guy though.

Very best,

IMO, this lens wasn't intended as an artistic replacement for the bokeh of fast primes but as an updated workhorse for the studio, as well as wedding and event photography (just as its predecessor was).

The 24-70 II is incredible, but not really that "special" as far as rendering goes... Primes are a bit more interesting.

I am expecting (personally) to eventually sell it if a 35L II comes along... And use my 16-35 and 70-200 as my specialty zooms and have that prime inbetween.

At 1:1 pixel-peeping, the sharpness and rendering of this lens never ceases to amaze me.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16936026
the samples I'm seeing don't have that certain
"look".
Of course this could just be purely subjective, but I did want to get owners' opinions on this.

Okay, from one who has bought into all of the major primes and lived to tell about it, The 24-70 zoom has it all at all focal lengths too. This is my keeper lens. While others come and go this one stays.

light_pilgrim wrote in post #16936109
What is prime magic? Not all primes have a dreamy bokeh.

24L, 35L, 50L, 85L, 135L

that's prime magic

Charlie wrote in post #16936467
24L, 35L, 50L, 85L, 135L

that's prime magic

I REALLY like the samples I see out of the 35L. But I think that's because I primarily use my X100s now, so I'm kinda seeing photography in 35mm terms, so it's just starting to look natural and "good" to me. A couple of months ago I preferred 50mm. Photography has been quite the interesting hobby so far.

Charlie wrote in post #16936467
24L, 35L, 50L, 85L, 135L

that's prime magic

So...I should show this to my wife and get that 24 L that's missing in my signature?

Elton Balch wrote in post #16936494
So...I should show this to my wife and get that 24 L that's missing in my signature?

I dont tell my wife the lenses I buy