Canon 24-70 L or 28-70 L?

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Mike Jenkins - 28 May 2005 19:05 GMT

Hi, I'm thinking about buying a new lens for my 20D. When I was shooting
film i always wanted an Ef 28-70 2.8 L lens. Now that I'm shooting digital
the 24-70 has entered the picture.
I'd like some opinions from digital shooters who use these lenses.

I've heard and read that the 24-70 is better for digital because it has
coatings on the lens that enhance digital photography. Is this true? Or just
BS?

Most reviews I've seen rate the 28-70 tops in this range. I realize I'd get
a little more fov from the 24-70.
A used 28-70 can be had for a lot less $$$ than a new 24-70.
I'm so confused. ... nothing new there..
Thanks for your help.

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C Wright - 29 May 2005 01:26 GMT

On 5/28/05 1:05 PM, in article
zp2me.1411$s64.167@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net, "Mike Jenkins"
<mcjenk@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Hi, I'm thinking about buying a new lens for my 20D. When I was shooting
> film i always wanted an Ef 28-70 2.8 L lens. Now that I'm shooting digital
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> I'm so confused. ... nothing new there..
> Thanks for your help.

Check out this site for a comparison of the two lenses -
http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/24-70-review.shtml
While I can't personally compare the two I own the 24-70 L and can attest to
its outstanding performance at all focal lengths. The only problem with
this lens on the 20D is that even 24mm is not that wide of a wide-angle (but
then 28mm is even less of one!).
Chuck

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Musty - 29 May 2005 01:33 GMT

I have read and heard amazing things about the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 (got rating
og 9.3/10 on FM):

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=187&sort=7&cat=43&page=1

It is ONLY $369 @ B&H and there is a $30 rebate. Apparently this lens is
super sharp (even @ f2.8) and has special coatings for digital sensors (the
lens is for both 35mm and APS sensor cameras). Not sure if anyone else wants
to comment, but if I was buying a lens in this FL range, this would be on
the top of my list. The Canon just doesnt seem worth it @ over 3x the cost.

I thought I was a Canon L snob until I saw some of the Tamron stuff....

Musty
(about to hit the order button on the Tamron 90mm macro...)

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Dave R knows who - 29 May 2005 08:27 GMT

> Hi, I'm thinking about buying a new lens for my 20D. When I was shooting
> film i always wanted an Ef 28-70 2.8 L lens.

Hmm. Well, if you really want that focal range on the 20D at the wide end
you need to start with a 17mm or 18mm lens. If you do not already have the
18-55 kit lens, try it for $100 or less.

Personally I like the 17-40 f/4 on the aps-c sized (300D/350D/10D/20D)
sensor cameras, and the lens is just awesome on the 1D. Roughly the same
range can be found in f/2.8 of course with the 16-35mm for $1350.00 US.

I would think the 24-70 would be good for the 1.3x mag factor on the 1D or
the full frame but not so good on the 1.6x mag 20D.

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John A. Stovall - 29 May 2005 10:49 GMT

>> Hi, I'm thinking about buying a new lens for my 20D. When I was shooting
>> film i always wanted an Ef 28-70 2.8 L lens.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>I would think the 24-70 would be good for the 1.3x mag factor on the 1D or
>the full frame but not so good on the 1.6x mag 20D.

I use the 24-70L on a 20D and find it is a very good lens for it. I
basically give me a 37 - 112 zoom range with the crop which fits my
shooting style just fine.

Have you actually used it on a 1.6 sensor?

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