Joined the red ring club today...24-70

I'm thinking of grabbing this with my 5D II if I decide to get it next month.

But, waiting on rumors... of special announcements on the 29th.
We'll see!?

I'm not too concerned as I have the $$ and I can wait until Spring as winter I'll pretty much hibernate indoors and don't want to shoot much in the snow!

Omaru wrote in post #8619392
If the L word was attached to that lens it would cost more than 1300 USD.

You mean Letter.

Well here is the best picture from today, and my favorite as well. I snapped this under a shady tree hand held at f/2.8. I was trying to give it the worst conditions and was pleasantly surprised by the results.

looks good... cool!

so I'm guessing (after seeing the above pic) that the 24-70L has better IQ than the 17-55?? Are they Close at all?

iAMB wrote in post #8622289
I went out today with the club. I think it is a nice sharp copy, I am going through the pictures now and will post some up soon. My next lens will be (hopefully) a 24mm ts-e since I am an architecture student. The 24-70 felt great and nice focal length on the crop body. Definitely a heavy sucker thats for sure...it dwarfs my XSi. So far so good

I have a grip on my XSi to help balance this bohemoth.

I have a grip as well, it is almost necessary with this lens. Im pretty much in love with this lens. Now time to get my 5D

gillilandj wrote in post #8625378
so I'm guessing (after seeing the above pic) that the 24-70L has better IQ than the 17-55?? Are they Close at all?

They are both VERY sharp, some even say the 17-55 is sharper. I wouldn't nit-pick over which is "better". They are BOTH excellent lenses.

I would make this decision based on the focal length if you're a crop shooter. If you like the 17-55 range, buy the 17-55. If you like the 24-70 range, buy the 24-70.

Mine is sharp, if I hold it still. User error is always my problem with the lens so heavy. But it is my most used. Congrats!

SuzyView wrote in post #8647461
Mine is sharp, if I hold it still. User error is always my problem with the lens so heavy. But it is my most used. Congrats!

I've been spoiled by the lightweight AND IS of my 17-85, so the 24-70 requires some "retraining" with regard to proper shooting techniques.

My 24-70 almost fell on the floor when I opened the box for the first time. Yes, weight is tough, but put your elbows close to your body and brace yourself. I now am so used to it, the 70-200 2.8 IS is nothing! I can shoot with one hand.

I just traded my 24-105 for the 24-70, for good this time.
Yeah, it's a lot heavier, but I'm used to heavy lenses...