I Need A Walkaround Zoom (IS)

Nethawked wrote in post #17774347
Snerd, have you tested with other lenses to determine that IS resolves your shakes?

Oh yeah! Using the 17-55 f/2.8 IS on the 7D is still like magic.............. crystal clear! I dug it out and spent today snapping around town. And it's the same with using the 16-35L f/4 IS and the 70-200L f/2.8 IS II.............. very clear, clean images. The newer IS is just what the doctor ordered for my situation!

Xyclopx wrote in post #17774409
the real problem of the 24-70 IS in my own use is that at close to MF it is extremely unsharp. and that seems strange given that it has a macro-range mode, which is also quite sharp. but outside of that macro range, but near MF it's horrible. though, i doubt many people would care. it's just that i take many food pics at restaurants and that's when it becomes a problem. but outside of my restaurant adventures the lens is great.

Tommydigi wrote in post #17774421
I hear it also has a problem with focus shift. that may be the issue when focussing close.

absplastic wrote in post #17774773
The focus shift issue is real, and in the worst-case scenario, it can shift enough to put what you focused on clearly out of focus. That said, it's really only an issue when shooting very close subjects (near MFD) at the 70mm end of the zoom range, and stopping down to f/5.6 - f/8. If the subject is closer than about 4 meters, you can go into macro mode where the FoV is still about 70mm, but the shift issue magically goes away completely.

Completely agree and can corroborate these statements. After some more use this past week, I've definitely noticed the shift + softness. I can tolerate it just fine thanks to my 50L experience with softness and focus shifting In this case, instead of magical bokeh you get IS, zoom versatility, and a razor sharp macro mode.

UPDATE: So I shot exclusively with the 24-70 f/4L lens over the last week, and despite what I said above, the focus shift and softness at 70mm had more of an impact on my shots than I anticipated because that is where I do a majority of my shooting w/ this range. So, I sent her back to Canon, and found a somewhat decent deal for the big daddy 2.8 II. Trust me, while happy with the 2.8 II, I am already missing this super versatile f/4 IS, especially the macro mode and small size But, I have a 100L for a reason, so here's hoping I can move on.


Anyways, here's an example of the performance I'm getting at 70mm at MFD, and at f/5.6 (the danger zone, so to speak). It's sharper than the 50L at least, though without the magical bokeh:

The 24-105L is great at the long end. I like it overall, but it does nice work at 50-105, and close portraits at 105 are really sharp.
The lens comes out when I want the range with IS. You give up a lot of utility when a lens stops at 70 mm, but this all depends on your wants.
I hate large heavy lenses, and the 24-105L comes in at the top of that range. I find it tolerable to drag around. It isn't very different in size or weight from the 15-35F4 IS.
I more often than not have a fast prime on my cameras, but I like the results that I have gotten with the 24-105L.

I'll second or third the motion to try out the A7rii or wait for the A7ii to bring out that feature. IBIS is an amazing thing, repurchased the 135L, the perpetual love/hate lens. Always loved the IQ and capabilities, hated not having IS. Now mounted to the A7rii, it's more accurate than before, has IS, it's a dreamy lens, now capable of low light.

If you like or need IS, you have to give the Sony a try. Rent it, do whatever to get your hands on it, it's amazing.

Have an event to shoot tonight, can't wait to use the combo along with the zony 55, like the good old days of shooting 50L and 135L on the 6DD, except that both lenses are now stabilized. Face and eye detect are also very nice.

Other than that, get the 24-70f4/24-105/Tamron 24-70.

Well, I surely "won't" be changing bodies. It's simply not financially possible at this time. Now some of you have got me taking another look at the Tammy. I may go do some more reading on it. Thanks!

The reported focus shift issue hasn't been an issue at all for me. Even with the example above at 70mm and MFD, the easy workaround is to switch into macro mode.

jrscls wrote in post #17775446
The reported focus shift issue hasn't been an issue at all for me. Even with the example above at 70mm and MFD, the easy workaround is to switch into macro mode.

I found a good video on YouTube by the light guy something or other. A pretty good side-by-side review. It's so aggravating knowing that I have the best 24-70, but just can't hold it still enough without the IS! It takes some amazing shots sitting atop the tripod. I even get some nice landscapes using a shutter release cord and mirror lockup. It's just the candids, you know, people-stuff while hand-holding, that suffer from my slight shake. Next week I'm going to try both tips suggested.............​.. bumping ISO for faster shutter speeds (along with holding technique) and also dig out the monopod and give that a go out and about.

An update.............. I just ordered the Canon 24-70L f/4 IS a few minutes ago. I think it is the best option for me, currently. I got to playing around with the 7D and 17-55 2.8 IS and was having a ball getting nice clear shots again, not having to worry about my movement. And I believe that crop lens has only 3 stops of IS! Thanks everyone for a great thread full of great suggestions.

OP: congrats on the new lens! Glad to see that it is helping you to get the shots you need!

Glad to hear OP, enjoy your new lens!

This has been an educational thread; I had no idea that the 24-70 4 IS had focus shift issues!

snerd wrote in post #17776411
An update.............. I just ordered the Canon 24-70L f/4 IS a few minutes ago. I think it is the best option for me, currently. I got to playing around with the 7D and 17-55 2.8 IS and was having a ball getting nice clear shots again, not having to worry about my movement. And I believe that crop lens has only 3 stops of IS! Thanks everyone for a great thread full of great suggestions.

Happy for you! We will be expecting photos!

k4j98 wrote in post #17781063
This has been an educational thread; I had no idea that the 24-70 4 IS had focus shift issues!

i'm sure you already know, but i just want to clarify for general consumption, since i've seen this error from many people and even online blog/review writers which should know better!:

1. "focus shift" has nothing to do with auto focus. it will happen even when manually focusing.

and to make it clear in regards to this lens:

2. you will only see its effect when shooting closer to the minimum focusing distance, and just at the few stops smaller than f/4 since at some point DOF takes over. so, for most people it's a non-issue.

using myself as an example, this lens is my main lens and i use a variety of apertures and generally everything is focused perfectly. i only have problems when shooting my restaurant pics of food right in my face, at ~f/5.6, right at MFD.

24-70mm f/4 IS is my most used travel lens on 6d and I have not observed focus shift issues. I shoot at 70mm quite often - semi portraits and food. I don't use the macro feature on this lens as I find it gimmicky (no working distance). I have no problem recommending this lens as a main walkaround lens. It has impressive performance at 24mm and 70mm producing undenibly L quality images. IMO, noticeably better looking images than Tamron 24-70 2.8 (especially color and bokeh). I read that 24-105L has high distortion at 24mm and so I never even tried that lens. I must say that I am not fisninding IS all that effective despite Canon's claims of imprved "hybrid" IS. E.g., VC on Tamron was significantly more effective and immidiately obvious.

Gotta say, my 24-70 arrived this week, and I'm loving the IQ What sealed the 'vs 24-105' debate for me was getting my 24-105 mm lens, setting it at 70mm, then looking through the VF as I zoomed to 105mm, hardly any difference, a small crop, nothing of note when compared to the higher IQ benefit of the 24-105, so it instantly became an easy decision for me, once I'd figured out how to pay for it.....