Canon EF 24 mm-105 mm F/4.0 IS USM L Lens

Starting off, the quality of the lens is what I expected, especially for a wide zoom lens. It is sturdy, the focus and zoom rings are firm but smooth, and the zoom does not creep. I use a 5D Mark II and the lens focuses fast and accurately, even in low light with dark subjects. It barely hunts even with dark subjects in low light settings of F4 @ ISO2500 @ 1/30 of a second. Autofocus results may vary as Canon cameras are known for random focusing issues, however I have a properly calibrated camera. Focusing can hunt if you aren't diligent about where to select the AF point since there is so much to focus on at wide angles. The IQ (Image quality) is very sharp, with some minor edge falloff @ 24mm-30mm. At 70mm the edges soften quite a bit at F4 but the resolution of the edges recovers more as you zoom in to 105MM. Stopping down to F5.6 or 8.0 greatly increases the consistency of resolution and is a good solution for the edge blur.

Like most lenses, this lens isn't perfect but I'd give it an 8.5 out of 10, especially for such a broad focal range. Along with the 24-70MM F2.8L, this is the best wide to standard zoom lens available for Canon cameras. I debated over buying the 24-70 F2.8 for months and I must say I am glad I did not buy it because the extra focal length and image stabilization in the 24-105 F4 give me much more benefit than the extra stop of light would have given me. If you have the same hard decision to make, I can simplify it for you. If you have a camera with poor noise quality at high ISO, or take a lot of pictures with movement, for events such as indoor weddings, buy the F2.8 lens. Anything else, buy the F4 lens, it is much more versatile and weighs a pound less.

If you want a technical lab test full of valuable information on this lens and some other popular lenses, photozone.de has done their homework!

This is the lens to own if you could only choose one lens, and I am not alone in this opinion!

I currently own a Canon 5D and a 40D, and sold off a 20D that served me well. The 5D has a full 35mm frame sensor, while the 40D (and the 20D previous to it) use a smaller "APS-C" size sensor.

The Canon 24-105mm lens goes from 24 to 105 on the 5D body, and when it is mounted on the 40D body, it gives an equivalent focal length of 38 to 168 (multiply the real focal length by 1.6 to find out the equivalent focal length on a APS-C size sensor).

This EF 24-105mm IS L-series of the Canon lens has excellent image quality. It is capable of beautiful color, contrast and focus particularly when set to about f/8. The IS designation means the lens has image stabilization built into the lens, using optics to provide up to 3 f-stops of shake protection.

Ordinarily the rule of thumb regarding shutter speed; to get a decent shot-don't shoot at a speed lower than smallest focal length. For example, with a 50mm prime lens, don't shoot slower than 1/50 of a second. In low light and non-action sports situations, the image stabilization makes a huge difference.

Canon's L-series glass is awesome. Couple it with image stabilization, and you have a yourself a winner. Highly recommended.

In addition to the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM I have a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II prime lens, a Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, a Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, and a Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM.

All of the L-series lenses in my collection have fantastic clarity and vibrancy the other lenses simply don't achieve.

Highly recommended for pro photographers.

Pricing is not for the faint-hearted.

DESIGNATIONS:

L = best Canon glass
IS = Image Stabilizer (up to 3 f stops)
USM = Ultra Silent Motor

Updated August 2009

I now own a Canon 5D Mark II and discovered that this lens was exhibiting a "flaring" problem. After contacting Canon Canada, they have agreed at no charge to examine the lens and repair or replace it to fix this defect. Canon acknowledges that some early versions of the lens indeed has this problem, and have offered any owner of one to repair or replace it if the flaring problem shows up badly.

In addition to the lens I mentioned above, I now also own two new prime non-L lens. I find both of them excellent quality. I bought an EF 50mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8 and am happy to have them in my collection. I intend to write reviews for my other products as well.

I was looking for a lens that could potentially hit 90% of my subject matter. I find my 17-55mm lens a bit wide for shots of family, and since I don't focus on landscape (and stitch if I want to go wide) the lack of a wide bottom end on a crop sensor camera was worth the addition of 50mm on the long end. On the other hand, carrying a 70-200 to be able to grap a few shots at 70mm or 100mm is a lot of extra kit when traveling light.

This lens is built solidly, and feels like the right weight on a 40D. Unlike models I've tried in stores the zoom ring was smooth. The closeup ability of this lens isn't macro, but close enough that I may consider leaving the macro lens at home unless I heading out for that purpose.

IS is a welcome feature, and one lacking on the 24-70mm alternative. For low light I tend to use bounced flash indoors, or need depth of field outdoors (read tripod or IS). Therefore the f/4 maximum aperture isn't a deal breaker for me. At 105mm the depth of field is similar to my 55mm at f/2.8. If I really want thin depth of field a fast prime is the way to go anyways on a crop sensor. This lens is a nice overlap with the 70-200 series of lenses. Enough overlap that you don't need to swap between them as much as with the 17-55mm.

Overall a nice lens on a crop sensor for my uses. Purchased with the understanding that things are headed full frame down the road...

I am looking to upgrade collection to Canon L lenses whenever possible. In particular, I was not completely happy with the mid range lens which came with the camera. I was considering the Canon 24-70mm L or the 24-105mm L. Both have sterling reputations and top reviews. I was concerned about weight and size because this is mostly a walk-about lens. My decision was made for me when I found a great deal on a brand new 24-105mm lens on Ebay. I cannot be happier with the lens. I have several Canon L lenses and this one ranks near the top even among the prime lenses. It's quality was immediately obvious when I opened the box. Its size and weight are excellent and balances well on the camera. It is quiet, fast, and the image quality is excellent at all ranges and apertures. My kit lens in this same range often caused inconsistent exposure. I have taken a thousand or so pictures since it received the 24-105mm L lens. I don't recall any non-keepers even in bad lighting. I was blown away by the action shots I was able to capture at an indoor pool without flash. This is an amazing lens and it now stays on my camera most of the time. The purchase price for this lens is more than double the alternative in the same range but well worth every penny. If you are serious about getting into DSLR photography, I would highly recommend this lens as the starter lens if you can afford it. There is no comparison between this lens and the kit lenses which are sold with new camera bodies.

The Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM EF Lens is a wonderful "all-around" lens. The pictures I have taken turn out very sharp and the lighting of the pictures is more "realistic" than other lenses I have used. I doubt I will be taking this lens off my camera unless I need an extreme wide angle or a longer telephoto. I love the informal portraites I have taken using this lens. Very clear and sharp. I actually had the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens at one time, but it was a little too bulky for the kind of pictures I was using it for. This lens is quite comfortable to use. I doubt I will ever need to replace it with a different model. I like the IS feature. That was actually the feature that I wanted the most after having used it on my Canon 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. There is a difference in the f/4 compared to the f/2.8, but I have found that the IM feature is like having an f/2.8 lens when it comes to low-light camera shake. I have not noticed it draining my batteries like the 70-300mm does. This lens is also very quiet. I have a very inexpensive off-brand "come-in-a-kit" lens that REALLY makes me appreciate the quality of this Canon lens. Very fast and accurate focusing while staying so quiet. If anyone is thinking about buying an all-around lens, this should be your first stop. It costs a little more than your run of the mill lens, but...you get what you pay for. I have learned that lesson the hard way!