Another lens question

I was wondering...

If you have two lenses. Both 24-105 f/3.5-5.6. One is 72mm (front lens diameter) and one is 58mm. What is the advantage of the larger front lens if they both have the same aperture?

Thanks.

Which lenses are you referring to?
F stop is calculated based on the aperture and focal length I think, but math was never a strong point for me so I get a mental 'skip' when formulae come my way. I imagine a bigger front element would let more light in, sure. But it's not the whole story.
If you can be more specific, I'm sure someone will know.

No advantage; I'll take the smaller one anyday. For example, Sigma had a 28-70 f2.8 (EX DF) lens (now discontinued) that had a 77mm front. They now have a new version that is (EX DG) a 67mm front. It is a better, more advanced design that not only produces better image quality with the same f2.8 max aperture, but they got rid of the dual-focus clutch mechanism.

Maybe give us some links to the lenses you're referring to? Is one just an old version?

I don't know the advantages, but I can think of one DISadvantage - the cost of filters.

I dont have any links. Just something I have observed and wondered about. I have a Tokina 24-200 f/3.5-5.6 and it has a 72mm front lens. I have seen other lenses with the same focal range and aperture but with a smaller front and was just curious. Thanks for the replys.

There's a mistake somewhere -no canon 28-105 lens was made with a 72mm filter diameter