This new lens does what many pros thought couldn't be done - replace the previous L-series 28-70 f/2.8 lens with something even better. Extended coverage to an ultra-wide angle 24mm makes it ideal for digital as well as film shooters, and the optics are even better than before with two Aspherical elements and a totally new UD glass element. It's now sealed and gasketed against dust and moisture, and a new processing unit makes the AF faster than ever.In order to achieve critical autofocus, the elements within a camera lens have to move quickly, quietly, and with exacting precision. To accomplish this, Canon developed the world's first lens-based Ultrasonic Motor (USM). Based on a totally new technology, the motor spins by ultrasonic oscillation energy. In effect, instead of a large, noisy drive-train system, electronic vibrations created by a piezoelectric ceramic element power the mechanical action of the lens. In a very broad comparison, it's like the difference between a mechanical watch with gears and springs and quartz-timed watch movement. Therefore, torque is constant and start and stop functions virtually instantaneous.By making the autofocus operation almost inaudible and by accelerating the autofocus speed, this type of motor greatly expands the shooting possibilities for Canon photographers.
1 This is the One!
Yeah, if you only had one body and had to live with one lense, then this would be the one. It goes down to 24mm, which is wide enough for just about anybody and up to 70mm, which can deliver darned good portraits. Yes it's a little heavier than the competition, but holy moly, holy cow and holy anything else, the competition has nothing that can serve up the crisp and sharp photos you'll get with this baby.
This is one of my gal pal Sara's walking around lenses (she never leaves the house without a couple cameras). She swears by it. Shoots just about everything with it, from the deep blue sea at dawn to fever trees on the Kenyan plain just before sunset. She's done thousands of baby pictures, horse photos and barnyard shots. She's a shooting Madonna and she only shoots with Canon "L" lenses (well she does have a Sigma 600mm mirror lense she sometimes uses, but don't tell anyone.)
Jack Priest, Sailor Home from the Sea
2 L-Series Why buy anything else!
After tens years of "pro-sumer" photography with the Canon family of 35mm cameras and inexpensive lenses, this lens was my first BIG L-series purchase. My "problem" was I receiving inferior results with my existing lenses. I cut my teeth on slide film. After switching from slide and to a lesser extent print film, I discovered that digital is just as unforgiving.) To me the difference in the digital realm is the "glass."
TIP: Always look for and purchase the second generation of Image Stabilization and the most wide open f-stop you can get when investing in lenses. I'm shooting with a 300D (Digital
Rebel), my first foray into digital SLR's, but will probably upgrade the body in 1-2 years. As for the lenses, the L-series and DO formulated glass will not depreciate in value. (There is quite a strong secondary market for used L-series lenses.)
As for this particular lense: shot with it for the first time today and found the responsiveness, crisp focus and color saturation excellent in the digital domain. I required only minimal Photoshop to the pictures. I plan to purchase the 70-200 mm f2.8 IS tomorrow before the rebates expire. FYI: Canon usually runs the rebate program twice a year.
Canon is aggressively pursuing what the competition can't deliver; high quality lenses and ever evolving 35mm digital bodies.
Get in the zone and get the shot!
3 This expensive Lens is worth it
Man, it took me a while to save up the money to buy my first "L" series lens. I chose this one because of the zoom range. It's perfect for the everyday zoom. I know that this lens is over $1000 but when you see the image quality you will not regret a single penny. This will make all your pictures look better than ever. The only thing that I would change is how heavy it is. It makes a big difference when this lens is hanging on your neck all day. But I can't complain cause I don't know how to redesign and make this less heavy. GREAT LENS!!! Buy it and you won't be sorry.
4 Canon's Number 1 Lens
This is simply the number one must own lens for any Canon EOS owner. It's the lens you will use the most, it's performance is flawless, it's built like a tank and it's beautiful glass to look at. If you have EOS and are serious at all about photography - this should be the first lens you own.
5 Jaw-Dropping Results!!
I recently purchased this lens as general purpose use. Let me tell you that these pictures come out extremely sharp, and the saturation and contrast are dead on. I'm talking about no Photo Shop afterwards!! The 1.6x factor on my 20D doesn't really make a difference when your shooting group or birthday shots, because it's still wide enough, believe it or not. It is a bit heavy, but you'll forget about that as soon as you see your first shot. This lens is high on my recommendation list to anybody that is looking for the best all-around lens. Don't forget about the f/2.8, so this is exellent in low-light situations too. 6 BIG STARS!!!
6 Best available all-around Canon lens
Simply put, this is the best all-around lens that Canon manufactures. It produces razor-sharp images with startling color and saturation, and at f/2.8 across the zoom range is capable of shooting in all but the dimmest of lighting conditions. The "L" glass (Canon's professional line of lenses) is simply the best out there, bar none, from any manufacturer. It's pricey, but well worth it.
I use this lens for portrait and wedding photography, landscapes, sports, and anything else that doesn't require extreme telephoto. In concert with my EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM lens, I find that these two lenses cover just about everything I ever want to shoot. Of the two lenses, if I could pick only one, it would be the 24-70mm, because it's so versatile and can shoot so many situations (the 70-200mm is also a marvelous, invaluable lens, but at 70mm is limited in wide-angle situations).
I can't recommend this lens highly enough. If you can afford the entry fee, you'll have no hint of buyer's remorse once you see the spectacular images this lens produces.
