24-70mm Blurry Images Horror Stories

I own a 70-200mm f/2.8 USM IS and have it on my 50D, and this combination has added a lot of quality to my work. So, I thought about upgrading my other body, a 40D with another "L" series lens and after reading a lot opted for the 24-70mm.

This lens has failed catastrophically on every single test against my old-cheap-plastic kit lens 17-85mm. I sent it to the Canon Repair Center and the say they got he back focusing problem fixed, but when I tested it again, my old cheap lens beat the heck out of it at every single f-stop, focal length and AF-Drive...

So far, I am inclined to believe that either lots of good reviews about this lens are fake or one really has to get lucky and win the lottery getting a good copy of this lens...

I wish people in this forum will share their perspective on the use of this lens on non-full frame DSLR's. Thank you!

-- Juan

Juan Huerta wrote in post #9497704
So far, I am inclined to believe that either lots of good reviews about this lens are fake or one really has to get lucky and win the lottery getting a good copy of this lens...


-- Juan

Or someone got really unlucky with a very bad copy of this lens.

When did you buy it? I'd sent it back to Canon again. Or call them. They might even replace it...who knows?

Hi Juan and welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear about your 24-70 woes. Are you able to post up some examples of the shots? It certainly is not good that the lens is still bad after a repair.

Juan Huerta wrote in post #9497704
So far, I am inclined to believe that either lots of good reviews about this lens are fake or one really has to get lucky and win the lottery getting a good copy of this lens...

-- Juan

Yep, only two reasons I can think of . I use the 24-70 on my 40D more than any other lens and, believe it or not, I have no issues with it. Sharp, fast focusing, great colors. Honest!

My first 24-70 was very soft from 60-70mm at 2.8. It was essentially a 24-60 for me so I returned it. I eventually broke down and bought a replacement that is very sharp. Unfortunately it still weighs 45 lbs

I think there are more than a few stories of softness with the 24-70 when you compare it to the 24-105, which is a bit bland but pretty darn reliable.

I know right,...really unlucky...but I am not alone in this boat. I have read so many reviews with the same complains, and they seem very serious. Now I am living the same nightmare, taking the same photo, with the same settings and switching lens...

I WANTED to believe I was wrong so bad. I could not wrap up my mind around the fact that such expensive lens would fall so far from a cheap piece of plastic (which has been saving the day so far).

By the way, Juan, welcome to POTN!

Thanks Mike...I will, I will round up a couple of shots taken with both the 17-85mm and the 24-70mm. It sure makes me cry to compare.

Some justify the cost and rave about this lens. To me its "OK" and a great tool. The colours and contrast is very good for a zoom.

If your 17-85 looks better than the 24-70L you seriously have a bad copy.

I like my 24-70L with my 5d classic. With the 5dm2 I'm even liking this lens even more due to increase in IQ. My 50D i found this lens to be good but often used primes with the 50d to maximize IQ.

I'd like to know what would any of you guys would do in my situation. I already sent it back to the repair center but the problems persist and the store is willing to take it back for a refund.

Plan A: - Send it back and keep on showing up a weddings with my kit lens and seeing a "cousin" of the bride walk around and taking pictures with an "L" series lens just for the fun of it...or

Plan B: - Cross my fingers and get another copy...

If I had a lens and I was certain that Canon tried to repair it and failed; and the retailer was willing to take it in exchange, I'd exchange it for another copy. I believe you would have to be very, very unfortunate to get two bad copies in a row.

Bring it back and try another one in the store, assuming you bought it locally.

Bring a laptop and spend an entire afternoon, if necessary. Try more than 1, if you can.

I'd try for a second copy. I did this with my 30mm lens which was front focusing and I got an absolute peach of a lens in return.

Juan Huerta wrote in post #9497858
I'd like to know what would any of you guys would do in my situation. I already sent it back to the repair center but the problems persist and the store is willing to take it back for a refund.

Plan A: - Send it back and keep on showing up a weddings with my kit lens and seeing a "cousin" of the bride walk around and taking pictures with an "L" series lens just for the fun of it...or

Plan B: - Cross my fingers and get another copy...

Try sending it to another Canon repair center if possible.

RGVphoto wrote in post #9497876
Try sending it to another Canon repair center if possible.

I wouldn't - I'd have lost faith in the lens much like Juan has - if it is still bad after 1 repair I wouldn't trust the 2nd repair to be much better.