24-70 What are the Chances

I had a 24-70 L about 2 months ago.
The copy was horriblely soft and OOF.
I loved the focal length though.

This might be an impossible question, but on your experiences,
What are the chances of me getting a TACK SHARP copy of the 24-70?
I know there are so many BAD copies floating around.
I cannot settle for anything less.
I WANT this lens badly.

That said, I will be getting rid of my 35L (which is a gem BTW).
I don't have a need for a prime like this.

I could get the 24-70 L for $ 1,064.95

with psjan07024

I don't understand the bad press the 24-70L gets at times. Mine is a jewel (my first and only).

The chances of you getting a GOOD copy are far greater than those of getting a BAD copy. If yours was bad, you should have had it calibrated by Canon.

I know mine isn't TACK SHARP at f/2.8, but it's a zoom. By f/4 it's almost a pin, and by f/5.6 it can cut me if I'm not careful. Anything to the contrary is user error.

jr_senator wrote in post #3073529
I don't understand the bad press the 24-70L gets at times. Mine is a jewel (my first and only).

well, one someone gets a bad copy, bad press is usually the consequence

cdifoto wrote in post #3073544
The chances of you getting a GOOD copy are far greater than those of getting a BAD copy. If yours was bad, you should have had it calibrated by Canon.

i will have it calibrated next time, thanks

jr_senator wrote in post #3073529
I don't understand the bad press the 24-70L gets at times. Mine is a jewel (my first and only).

Mine is also............my most used lens.

Just got my 24-70 from B+H yesterday. Sharp out of the box. After seeing what this lens will do, its going to be my walk-around now.

I would say get it and if it isnt perfect, send it back or to canon until its perfect. I did, and it is, now.

The chances of you getting a good copy are ridiculously higher than getting a bad one. Lighting never strikes twice and all that... Go for it.

I think it is easy to blame equipment over poor technique or to set too high of expectations.... I also think it is easy to relay someone else's experiences as your own..and who knows how many times a story gets recycled on the internet nowadays? I must admit at first these rumors had me nervous about owning this lens myself and considering selling it.

I have had no issues with my copy of this lens but I have heard people claiming that they have had problems and they switched to the kind of similar, depending what you are using it for 24-105 f4 IS and love it.

I have a hard time believing Canon's majority of screw ups, improper quality control, calibration and poor design etc.... plagues this particular lens more than any others in their line up....but who knows? it isn't to say people haven't had a bad copy.... it is entirely possible.

I got my 24-70mm f2.8L from B&H a little over a week ago. I was very pleased with the sharpness, even at 2.8. It does seem to back focus a little. I have not performed a focusing test, just goofing around with batteries.

My first and only copy is extremely sharp!

Mine is fantastic.