24-70 f2.8 or 24-105 f4

Again, I've never used the 24-70, but this is exactly my reasoning for the 24-105.

True, an f/2.8 lens will generally allow for better focusing under low light than an f/4 lens, but the IS gives you TWO stops performance improvement, not just one. And the extra reach of the 24-105 on FF makes for very nice portraiture and candid shots. It does come in very handy on the dance floor .

J-Blake wrote in post #9686291
I don't shoot weddings so I'm speculating on this, but doesn't the IS compensate for the extra stop since most of the shots at a wedding are relatively still? Other than a couple of dancing shots, it would seem to me that having the IS and additional focal length would be a bigger benefit than extra stop.

alpha_1976 wrote in post #9686074
Go with 24-70mm you won't regret it

I am finding it hard to choose between the 24-70 2.8 anf 24-105 f4. I have the 70-200 2.8L IS USM and because my hand is not stable i think that the IS could be a big help. On the other hand i can use a high shutter speed in order not to ge blurred photos .Please help.

Honestly, f/2.8 for DOF and low light isn't going to be very much of an improvement over f/4. For that I would just go to my primes. I like the 24-105 for its reach, size, image quality, stabilization, and price. This is a lens I plan on taking just about everywhere.

I have both as well and decided to keep the 24-70L
24-105L pro:
- Longer focal Length
- Has IS
- Lighter (weight-wise)
- Cheaper
24-70L pro:
- Faster
- Less distortion at 24mm
- More accurate AF on body that has f/2.8 sensitive center AF (5D, xxD, xxxD (not sure about 1D and 7D))
- Better Min Focus Distance (has better macro capability)

Bottom line, the 24-105L is an ultimate travel/vacation/walkar​ound lens. The 24-70L is more suitable for event and studio work. Decide what's important for you and buy accordingly. Both has very similar stellar IQ.

I don't have the 24-70, do have the 24-105 and it's OK. I generally find the 24-105 to be an adequate full frame all-purpose lens, although a bit short on the long end, so I have to keep the 100-400 in the bag with me. You might take a look over at the Fred Miranda forum. There a poll of "scariest" lens purchases rates the 24-70 as one of the worst for QC problems, so if you go that way, you may have to deal with testing, sending back, testing, sending back, etc.

Thanks, for all the replies it looks like they are about on par with each other so the deciding factor maybe to get the lens with IS or not.

I have used both, and would definitely go with the 24-105. The two-stop advantage with IS outweighs the 1 stop advantage of going to f/2.8. Also, for events f/2.8 is usually too shallow in DOF. When I have used f/2.8 lenses, the widest aperture seems only to be truly useful for portraits and specific effects. You already have a 50mm 1.4 for those.

^^ What he said and add 105 focal length to the comparison.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I went out today and picked up the 24-70L since i already have the 100 and 100-400. When i get a chance to play i will post some shots.

I am deciding the same thing at the moment.
It would be good to here how to 24-70 goes.

The 24-70 is a dream, the 24-105 just feels more like a standard kit lens at f4. The extra stop and bokeh from the 2.8 is damn good. The 24-105 is very nice, but the 24-70 is more "special"

I hear folks do love the f/2.8 on the 24-70. Is that the one they call the "brick?"

Trevor04GT wrote in post #9698223
The 24-70 is a dream, the 24-105 just feels more like a standard kit lens at f4. The extra stop and bokeh from the 2.8 is damn good. The 24-105 is very nice, but the 24-70 is more "special"

sapearl wrote in post #9699333
Is that the one they call the "brick?"

Yes.

BTW I bought a 24-105 f4 yesterday.It's great, and i dont know how I have done without it all this time! The IS really does help too.

24-105mm @f/4 ISO3200 on a 7D

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Absolutely - saved my bacon in a number of church and landscape/hiking situations.

Ben Daniels wrote in post #9700244
Yes.

BTW I bought a 24-105 f4 yesterday.It's great, and i dont know how I have done without it all this time! The IS really does help too.