What is the best 24-70mm?

My Canon is awesome, raised my game a few notches instantly IQ wise, and I was using the 24-105 before, hardly a lens with a bad reputation. Used the 24-70 today for a family day out, I can't think if a better quality lens for photojournalism/every day stuff, it's just superb.

The O.P. asked "What is the best 24-70mm?"
I said Canon's 24-70 f/2.8L IS.
Do you have a better choice?

Tapeman wrote in post #17948371
The O.P. asked "What is the best 24-70mm?"
I said Canon's 24-70 f/2.8L IS.
Do you have a better choice?

That depends on how you define "best", doesn't it?
Best for me is a much lower than $2,000 price tag. I am about $1300 happier with the Tamron version. And so far, I still prefer the 24-105 STM to the Tamron. Best for you may mean IQ, which puts the LII at the top of your list. Best for the next guy may involve IS, which puts the LII below the f/4L and Tamron VC. It is not possible to answer the question until you define 'best'. Until the OP offers his definition of 'best', our answers are only subjective guesses.

Tapeman wrote in post #17948371
The O.P. asked "What is the best 24-70mm?"
I said Canon's 24-70 f/2.8L IS.
Do you have a better choice?

Since there's no such animal, we must be speaking hypothetically. So, yes, the Canon 24-70 f/1 MkV IS with built-in 2X TC is the best.

LV Moose wrote in post #17948411
Since there's no such animal, we must be speaking hypothetically. So, yes, the Canon 24-70 f/1 MkV IS with built-in 2X TC is the best.

I believe the poster was emphasizing the word "is", not suggesting the LII is Image Stabilized.

Bassat wrote in post #17948413
I believe the poster was emphasizing the word "is", not suggesting the LII is Image Stabilized.

If that's the case, the use of italics might have been used as to not cause any confusion.

If he is speaking of the MkII, and stating matter-of-factly that it is the best, that still depends on whether you need/want stabilization, in which case it is not the best.

It's like asking, "What's the best V-8 rear-wheel drive car?" Kinda depends on what other variables you desire.

LV Moose wrote in post #17948422
If that's the case, the use of italics might have been used as to not cause any confusion.

I'm showing my age here, but I suppose it all comes down to "what the definition of IS IS." Somebody help me.

Bassat wrote in post #17948429
I'm showing my age here, but I suppose it all comes down to "what the definition of IS IS." Somebody help me.

Let's not bring ISIS into it.

Most excellent, sir!

Let me clarify a bit more, the meaning of best for me in this case is the lens that is a compromise good value, performance, and price while having excellent IQ. Image Stabilizing is a plus, since I am doing free handle most of the time.
I have thought about the 16-40 f/4. But, I heard that the 24-70 is one of the best lens to get after 24-105 f/4 and it is a great all around lens when shooting street photography.

aznkid248 wrote in post #17949165
Let me clarify a bit more, the meaning of best for me in this case is the lens that is a compromise good value, performance, and price while having excellent IQ. Image Stabilizing is a plus, since I am doing free handle most of the time.
I have thought about the 16-40 f/4. But, I heard that the 24-70 is one of the best lens to get after 24-105 f/4 and it is a great all around lens when shooting street photography.

Given the 1/focal length rule of thumb (for a shutter speed that prevents your movement from affecting images) the question to ask yourself is: will my subjects generally require a higher shutter speed? My time is mostly spent hunting a small person these days, so even 1/70s isn't usually enough. Thus I tend to be at faster speeds than required for the focal length, thus IS isn't a big deal for me for this lens.

If this was my main lens for handheld architecture and landscape work, IS would be really useful.

So, if you don't need IS, and can afford it, the 24-70II is superb optically and has very fast AF. If you need stabilisation and f/2.8 the Tamron is very good. Canon's f/4 IS is good otherwise, though I believe it's a little less sharp at 50mm.

Now for the correct answer, the ef 24-70mm f2.8L II has no peer. It is the best lens in this range ever made. It doesn't matter how others want to spin it. This is the best. Rodger C. is right on this one.

BTW, I have four different 24-70's to compare and evaluate it against. The Sigma, Tokina, Tamron and the older Canon.

ebiggs wrote in post #17950633
Now for the correct answer, the ef 24-70mm f2.8L II has no peer. It is the best lens in this range ever made. It doesn't matter how others want to spin it. This is the best. Rodger C. is right on this one.

...unless you really would benefit from IS in your style of shooting (it's horses for courses, despite the 24-70II being exceptional)

Best price/quality : Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC
Best : Canon 24-70 2.8
Easy question