24-105 IS or 24-70 2.8 ???

I need a little help deciding.This is going to be the only lens I'll be buying for a long while as my photo funds are almost gone so I dont want to regret my decision.I'm torn between the 24-105 and the 24-70 2.8.

-It will be on a 5d body and used to shoot pretty much everything as the only other lens I have right now is the 50mm 1.8.

-The extra length of the 24-105 isnt that big of an advantage for me (or should it be?)

-I like the IS feature on one but I also like the 2.8 on the other

-I'm guessing IQ will probably be the same with both, but if someone can confirm or deny this,I'd appreciate it.

-any other tidbits I should know please post

-So what do you guys think?

mayerk wrote in post #7241829
-I'm guessing IQ will probably be the same with both, but if someone can confirm or deny this,I'd appreciate it.
...
-So what do you guys think?

I don't own the 24-70/2.8L. I do own the 24-105/4L. But I think I can be objective.

The 24-70/2.8 might perform that little bit better, though they trade places at various focal length. The f/4 lens is perhaps a bit better at 24, and the f/2.8 lens is maybe a bit better at 70.

The IS more than makes up for the lack of that additional stop of speed, if the question is an adequate shutter speed for hand-holding. Of course, it won't help if the subject is moving, and it won't give you the same thin depth of field for achieving selective focus.

But the f/4 lens gives you more reach, and it puts something over a hundred bucks back into your pocket.

So, if you want extreme selective focus for portraiture, then the 24-70 will get you closer but still not nearly as good as you'd get with even the Nifty Fifty. You can make up for that by using the 105 end of the f/4 lens, which will require a bit longer working distance and therefore less depth of field compared to the 70.

And if your subject is just fast enough so that f/4 is too slow but f/2.8 is fast enough, then you know what to do. But is that one stop going to solve many problems in the real world? Probably not. If you need that sort of speed in a short telephoto, get the 85/1.8.

But if you just need hand-holding stability in dark conditions, the IS in the 24-105 will give you more headroom than the extra stop in the 24-70.

You can't really go wrong with either lens, but the difference is in how you intend to use them.

Rick "who figures it's his turn to answer this oft-seen question" Denney

In your situation I would go with the 24-105. For me, the range would make a difference. I think you need to decide whether you want the range or speed of 2.8 more. In your situation where you won't have funds for another lens for a while I'd personally favor the range. You'll be happy either way though.

Woohoo.. The two heavyweights are gonna duke it out again. I voted 24-70 but just because I like the f/2.8, no other reason. But you might want to do a search. These two lenses have been duking it out for a long time and there is never a clear cut winner. Check out these threads.
https://photography-on-the.net …835&highlight=2​4-105+poll
https://photography-on-the.net …266&highlight=2​4-105+poll
https://photography-on-the.net …750&highlight=2​4-105+poll
https://photography-on-the.net …983&highlight=2​4-105+poll

And my absolute favorite because the 24-105 is the clear winner.
https://photography-on-the.net …hp?t=408385&hig​hlight=win

Sorry everyone I didn't mean to re-open this can of worms, I looked through about the first 5 or 6 pages and didn't see anything. I've done research on both but I'd like to hear from the people who use these lenses and see what they have to say.

I have a 5D and a 24-105. I've also used a 24-70 with the 5D. I'd like to have both, but the 24-105 would easily be my choice.

gjl711 wrote in post #7242121
And my absolute favorite because the 24-105 is the clear winner.
https://photography-on-the.net …hp?t=408385&hig​hlight=win

I forgot about this poll! Nice to see the 24-105 pulled ahead for the win!

I've got the 24-105 and the IS does help, but like someone said earlier, it won't stop action, just helps with camera shake, so if you're shooting fast moving stuff...

The 24-70 zoom is also reversed, allowing for a fuller hood, and possible less flare at 24mm.

But since you're looking for a single lens, and not collecting a trinity of zooms yet, I'm voting 24-105 for the range.

I am surprised to see another one of these polls..

Honestly, I leaning toward the 24-105, it seems like a more "all purpose" lens. but I really liked the 2.8's I've owned in the past.

mayerk wrote in post #7242149
I've done research on both but I'd like to hear from the people who use these lenses and see what they have to say.

Read through the other polls. There will be no clear cut winner. They are both outstanding lenses. Make you decision based on the one you like better. Or ask your self three questions and based on the answer the lens will present itself.
1. Is f/2.8 important?
2. Is IS important?
3. Is reach important?

a no, no, no = either one
a yes, no, no = 24-70
a no, yes, yes = 24-105
Anything else is going to be completely up to you and how much weight you assign to the questions.

flip a coin to decide

gjl711 wrote in post #7242205
Read through the other polls. There will be no clear cut winner. They are both outstanding lenses. Make you decision based on the one you like better. Or ask your self three questions and based on the answer the lens will present itself.
1. Is f/2.8 important?
2. Is IS important?
3. Is reach important?

a no, no, no = either one
a yes, no, no = 24-70
a no, yes, yes = 24-105
Anything else is going to be completely up to you and how much weight you assign to the questions.

Actually, it's yes,yes, no. I could honestly go either way. I guess I'm waiting for someone to give the old " I've used both and I think the 24-70 seems a little sharper" or something along those lines.

The 24-70 is way better at 24 than the 24-105 which bends the lines a whole lot on a 5D, after using mine for a while I stopped shooting it wider than 35mm. IS is nice but not really necessary on the 24-70. I stopped using my 24-105 indoors as soon as I got any lenses that were faster. But if I was shooting a crop camera I'd probably love the 24-105. As it is, I sold mine and got the 24-70 and love it but it is heavier. I could use the 24-105 ok for portraits and candid portraits of people but don't like doing that at 70mm so that's the main drawback on a FF 5D.

Both of my lenses were sharp with excellent color.

brianch wrote in post #7242242
flip a coin to decide

Thats about it.

mayerk wrote in post #7242247
Actually, it's yes,yes, no. I could honestly go either way. I guess I'm waiting for someone to give the old " I've used both and I think the 24-70 seems a little sharper" or something along those lines.

I have used both. I've owned both and settled on the 24-70 because f/2.8 was more important than IS. If your looking for an optical difference to make your decision, you'll be waiting a long time. They are too close to call.

I'm in the same boat.. leaning towards the 24-105

Good lord! does Canon even know how much money they could make off of a 24-105mm f2.8 IS "L"!!! I have been sitting here for DAYS trying to figure out which one I want.... but I have found out that I want them BOTH!