Best normal zoom for 6D: 24-70 F2.8 (old) or F4?

I will very shortly be making the move to full frame by picking up the Canon 6D. My existing general purpose zoom is the rather excellent EF-S 17-55 2.8 but thats on my 7D so won’t be able to use that on FF. I’ve been very happy with this lens along with my EF-S 10-22 (which will probably be replaced by the 16-35 f4) but I need something equally good for the 6D.

My options at the moment are the new 24-70 F4 (with its reduced price) or the preowned 24-70 F 2.8 (not the newer version which is out of by budget), which means both lenses would be more or less equally priced.

My only source so far, apart from reading online views and reviews, has been dxomark’s scoring of these lenses when used on the 6D and it seems the 24-70 F2.8 (older version) is slightly better.

Can I get recommendations from those who’ve used both?

If it helps I usually shoot landscape and architecture and my 500px page in my signature shows you a sampling of this.

I just picked up the 24-70 f/4 IS, which is very nice on my 6D. I would go for it over the old brick 24-70 f/2.8 unless you really need f/2.8, especially for what you state you are going to shoot..

Apart from the stuff I've mentioned, I would also use the lens to take photos of my kids. I need a prime for that which I'm hoping the 50mm 1.4 that I have at the moment will be adequate for. However, what I'm trying to determine is, irrespective of whether I need the high Aperture, which is the better lens, price being almost equal.

Forget Canon, get the Tamron 24-70 2.8 WITH IS!
You won't regret it, had them all, best price/quality, only sold it as i'm a 35 1.4 Art prime man

I'd go with the tamron 24-70 and have both F2.8 and VC. I just bought this lens yesterday and I've very pleased with it. Auto focus is fast and accurate, VC works great, and the build quality is very good. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to take it out and test it more then, next Saturday I'll shoot my first race with it to really see how it does with action shots.

Consider also the 24-105 f4 IS
You can find white box for $ 650

Hey, been quite a while since posting on this forum...

If you have smallish budget... as already mentioned, the Tamron 24-70 VC is fantastic for the price.

Personally i'd rather spend money on that, than on the Canon 24-70 mk1 or the f4.

I personally would not want to play the Tamron lottery. This is how I would play it: Save for Canon 24-70II, and shoot with the 40STM or 35IS in the meantime. Quality over quantity. Slow but sure.

faizanrashid wrote in post #17150603
I will very shortly be making the move to full frame by picking up the Canon 6D. My existing general purpose zoom is the rather excellent EF-S 17-55 2.8 but thats on my 7D so won’t be able to use that on FF. I’ve been very happy with this lens along with my EF-S 10-22 (which will probably be replaced by the 16-35 f4) but I need something equally good for the 6D.

My options at the moment are the new 24-70 F4 (with its reduced price) or the preowned 24-70 F 2.8 (not the newer version which is out of by budget), which means both lenses would be more or less equally priced.

My only source so far, apart from reading online views and reviews, has been dxomark’s scoring of these lenses when used on the 6D and it seems the 24-70 F2.8 (older version) is slightly better.

Can I get recommendations from those who’ve used both?

If it helps I usually shoot landscape and architecture and my 500px page in my signature shows you a sampling of this.

Heya,

Landscape & architecture?

If stopping down to F8 or less, you can get away with a lot of different glass.

Tamron 17-35
Tamron 24-70 F2.8 VC
Tamron 28-75 F2.8
Canon 24-70 F4L
Canon 24-105 F4L
Canon 17-40 F4L

Very best,

Just to throw in another lens to consider- I've heard good things about the Sigma 24-105 F4 as well.

I have the Sigma 24-70 2.8 and luuuuv it - use it on my 6D. It's cheaper and comparable to the Tamron 24-70.

A lot of good options, so I will throw my 2 cents in since i have the tamron 24-70vc. The best way to describe it us it performs iq wise as well as the canon 70-200 is 2 that i shoot with.

Have the Sigma 24-70 and used it yesterday the first time since a year. Hell i just dont like those standart zoom lenses. I dont know what it is because its a sharp and good lens, but indoors 2.8 is too slow for me. I dont buy a 6D to use ISO 3200 all the time indoors.

I would never ever buy a 24-70 f/4. F/4 is just too slow for when light isnt there. Outdoors, okay, but then rather get a 24-105 and you gain some reach. However, i'd still get a Siggy 35 Art.

Hi again, sorry I disappeared...

I've just read all the suggestions. A lot of people recommending Tamron (and some even Sigma). I'd like to stick to Canon because the thing with third party lenses are their focus can be hit and miss (my experience with my Sigma 30 1.4 as well) and here in Dubai, unlike the US, return and exchange policy along with customer service are abysmal. I'd hate to end up with a less than perfect lens and for that reason I've steered clear of all non-Canon lenses.

I did originally consider the 24-105 F4, but most reviews seem to indicate that the 24-70 F4 is a better lens overall (though the 105 gives you better reach). My budget is about USD 1k and I'd like to keep the choice between the 24-70 F4 and the older, now discontinued 24-70 F2.8

I was in the same situation as you deciding between both these, however iv put off on a standard zoom and have gone for the 16-35 first, as I prefer wide landscape and 35mm will cover me. I'll just use a prime at mid range for now. Talking to someone who owns/has owned pretty much every lens he recommended the 24-70 f4 as a general over the 2.8