Most anyone who is considering buying either the legendary Canon 24-70L f/2.8L or 24-105 f/4L has certainly wondered which of these two competing lenses is best. The 24-70 which replaced the earlier 28-70 is the classic photojournalist and wedding photographer’s lens. The 24-105 seems to be a general purpose walk-around lens with greater range, lacking the faster f/2.8 aperture but gaining image stabilization. Which lens is better depends on how you plan to use it.
Indoors in low-light the 24-70 has the advantage of letting in a stop more light than the 24-105. The 24-105 does have I.S. allowing for use of 2-3 stops lower shutter speed but this would be helpful only when photographing a stationary subject. The wider max aperture of the 24-70 also allows for a narrower depth of field to help isolate a subject against the background, however the 24-105 gives you the option of increasing your focal length and thereby making the depth of field more shallow. At the end of the day shooting moving subjects in less than ideal light you would want the 24-70.
Outside shooting handheld the I.S. on the 24-105 is very useful. I also find that the 24-105 is sharper at f/4 than the 24-70 is at f2.8. The extra zoom range is also appreciated. Not to mention that the 24-105 is a good deal lighter (by half a pound) and more compact than the 24-70. Price-wise the lenses are close enough that if you are considering one or the other the other cost isn’t likely to be a deciding factor.
When making the choice between these two lenses ultimately it comes down to the shooter’s requirements. The 24-70 is chosen by wedding photographers because it excels at taking pictures of people, who are likely not stationary, in low light and isolating them from the background. The 24-105 is an ideal lens for outdoor use and taking photos of moving subjects in GOOD light. The stabilization helps in taking shots of stationary subjects in marginal light. It’s smaller weight, size and increased zoom range make it quite versatile. In addition it is somewhat cheaper than the 24-70, the difference being enough to buy a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens for shooting in low light situations.
For my shooting style, the 24-105 is the clear choice. As much as I love the dreamy out of focus background that the 24-70 can produce at f2.8 I find that the 24-105 does a good enough job at blurring the background at f/4 when zoomed all the way in. I also appreciate the lighter weight and compactness of the 105 and find that with the longer zoom range I can carry it as my only lens. The 24-70 is bulky enough without having to carry another lens for more reach.
Both are great lenses and what’s best for me may not be right for someone else. What’s more, these two lenses do not necessarily present an either/or choice. They’re different enough that I wonder why they are so often compared. Sure they are mid-range, L zooms with similar pricing but they are designed for different shooting situations. The question then isn’t so much about the lens as it is about the photographer.
Did you have to make the choice between these two lenses? Leave a comment below and let me know which one you decided on and why.
