I still can't decide between the 24-105 or the 24-70 2.8

I've been researching both lenses for about two months now and I've narrowed down the pro's and con's. I am looking for good, verastile, basic walk around lens.

24-105


Pros: IS, more versatile focal length, lighter


Cons: F4 and not the best for indoor low light photography

24-70 2.8

Pros: Faster which is better for low light shooting

Cons: Bulkier and heavier, no IS, not a very versatile focal range

I'm still trying to decide. Can you guys help?

your description about sums it up. If you want a great outdoors/goodlight walkaround, then the 24-105 is about the best there is. But if you are trying to stop any kind of action indoors than the 24-70 would do much better. But the 24-105 for stills indoors has IS, which in my experience is highly effective. So buy based on what you are going to use it for most. If you need it for lowlight more, go for the 24-70. if you want a good midrange walkaround, with great quality, and dont think you will need it that much indoors, go with that, and use a flash indoors if you have to.

Both are fantastic lenses, you cant go wrong with either.

Billginthekeys wrote in post #2081600
Both are fantastic lenses, you cant go wrong with either.

I guess that's what makes this decision so difficult. How about this, what if I were to buy the 24-105 and say, the 50mm 1.4? That way I get everything that the 24-105 has to offer plus for only about $320 more (from Amazon) I would be getting a fast low light lens!! What do you think?

cali wrote in post #2081631
I guess that's what makes this decision so difficult. How about this, what if I were to buy the 24-105 and say, the 50mm 1.4? That way I get everything that the 24-105 has to offer plus for only about $320 more (from Amazon) I would be getting a fast low light lens!! What do you think?

If you don't mind zooming with your feet, the 50 1.4 will make a good low light lens. You will never be able to zoom with your feet to 24mm. The 24-105 is an ideal zoom range for FF. I think you will like the 24-105 coupled with the 50. Later if the 50 doesn't meet you needs perhaps you'll be ready for the 24-70.

cali wrote in post #2081631
I guess that's what makes this decision so difficult. How about this, what if I were to buy the 24-105 and say, the 50mm 1.4? That way I get everything that the 24-105 has to offer plus for only about $320 more (from Amazon) I would be getting a fast low light lens!! What do you think?

well... thats what i did so you know what i think solid plan. btw, if you are infact going to get both, dont forget to wait for the double rebates to start up so you can maximize your savings.

Sounds like the 24-105L is for you, "Best Walk Around Lens"

i just recently got the 24-105L, had the tamron 28-75 f2.8 before. ill miss the f2.8 but having IS is really really nice to be able to handheld with slow shutter speeds. i dont shoot indoors that much and even when i did, 2.8 was still not enough to get a fast shutter speed to freeze action so I would still need to use my flash. most of my indoor shooting were inside house, shooting family, kids, and stuff. but with the nice range and IS, it was worth it to me. i also have a 50mm f1.8 and plan on adding either the 35 f2.0 or 85 f1.8 or both in the future.

ITS UNANIMOUS
get the 24-105 (once the rebates start).

Billginthekeys wrote in post #2081728
well... thats what i did so you know what i think solid plan. btw, if you are infact going to get both, dont forget to wait for the double rebates to start up so you can maximize your savings.

Have any idea when those rebates are going to start? Hey Cali, what part of So Cal are you from? I'm from Pico Rivera (in The San Gabriel Valley) which is a suburb of LA.

cali wrote in post #2081817
Have any idea when those rebates are going to start? Hey Cali, what part of So Cal are you from? I'm from Pico Rivera (in The San Gabriel Valley) which is a suburb of LA.

the 15th of this month i believe. after next weekend.

I went through the same thing earlier this year. I ended up going with the 24-105 and a 28mm 1.8 lens for lower light indoor shots (on a crop camera I figured it would be good for indoor group shots and such). It has worked out pretty well for me. Though I kind of wish I had done what you are suggesting and gone with the 50mm 1.4 just for the nice portrait type shots (that I have seen from others with that lens).

The 24-105 has been outstanding for all uses other than low light. Absolutely no complaints. Actually looking to add a 580EX to use the 24-105 indoors more often (as someone suggested earlier).

Just my $.02.

Dack

cali wrote in post #2081817
Have any idea when those rebates are going to start? Hey Cali, what part of So Cal are you from? I'm from Pico Rivera (in The San Gabriel Valley) which is a suburb of LA.

I am from Simi Valley, about an hour and a half with no traffic and six hours with traffic

Dack wrote in post #2081834
Actually looking to add a 580EX to use the 24-105 indoors more often (as someone suggested earlier).

Just my $.02.

Dack

Buying that flash will be a worthwhile investment and one that you will not regret. It is expensive but will add so much to your pictures. I am so happy with mine and am looking forward to using it with the 24-105 when I buy it.