Can I fall in love? Considering my previous post, a title like this could make you think this blog post is about women. Well it’s not but if the newspapers can use misleading headlines, so can I. This is about lenses, the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L USM in particular. I’ve had it for a couple of years (it’s actually my second one as the first got stolen 13 days after I bought it) and it’s always been my least favorite lens.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great lens: well built, the perfect all-round focal length (on full frame), it’s fast and accurate. It’s good at almost anything … but great at nothing. It just isn’t as edgy, extreme or special than any of my other lenses.
Come to think of it, it’s not that different from falling in love with a woman. You just don’t fall in love with a girl because she’s moderately interesting, slightly intelligent, not ugly and reasonable in everything. You fall in love because you get a kick out of Nobel prize winners or because she makes you laugh every minute (or just because she has the perfect boobs).
But in the end you might be probably better of with that first girl who can be trusted every time. I got a similar feeling with the 24-70. That lens has been my must-have/go-to lens when I need to play it safe. But to see if I can fall in love with it, I’m going to use it more often for a while during those times where I don’t have to play it safe and would normally choose another lens. Yesterday I took it with me on a long Geocaching walk with the kids and some friends.
Because the weather forecast was far from great, I used my bulletproof vintage 1Ds mkII. In combination with the 24-70 that’s a heavy beast to lug around for a long walk during which you need to operate a hand held GPS and a bunch of kids. But I don’t regret it as I’m pretty happy with the souvenirs I was able to make of this great day. I’ll keep committing myself to using the 24-70 more often for some time and I’ll report in later.
Very nice shots! Looking forward to hear your thoughts on this. I’ve got a pretty old 24-70 but I don’t even take it with me anymore. Exactly the things you write – too average, no magic. But I’m still in doubt whether I should buy a new (and better) one and give it a chance.
as you said, the 24-70s are the work-horse, pretty wide, nice for portraits nice for the everyday. nothing that kicks ass and excites too too much, but then that’s prbbly exactly the right thing for all the standard task that don’t require ultrawide, or long tele. As chase said, if he could only take one lens – it would be the 24-70, not because it is very sexy, but because it gets the job done, and you can rely on it.
Interesting comments about the 24-70 f/2.8. I’ve had one for about 2 years, and reckon it’s not as good as some people claim.
It’s a solid reliable (and heavy!) lens, but it’s not as fantastic as some other lenses…so I’m considering selling it and getting something else – maybe some primes, or maybe the 17-40…
There’s a rumor that 24-70mm mark II is coming out ..
Rumor has it that 24-70 mk2 remains 2.8 but adds IS…Would be an interesting lens then, for sure!
If people don’t use a 24-70 as a ‘walkabout’ lens, then what do you carry? 17-40? Bag full of primes?
Nice shots BTW!
The 24-70 is my go-to lense and usually where I start, my centerpoint if you will. From there I’ll go 14-24 for ultrawide and 70-200 if I want long.
It’s also the lens I tend to use with my extension tubes (try it).
For running about geotracing I’d have taken the 50 and a 24 prime – much lighter
CW
Coincidence I just bought and blogged about that lens too (http://frederikherregods.be/blog/?p=1477)
I really love it. It’s a real workhorse and that makes it one of my favorite lenses canon makes (but not my most favorite , that would be de 85mm 1,2 L)
Even on a 1.6 crop body like the 7D is very versatile especially for portraits.
Love you geocaching shots. They look moody
Hi Bert!
Very nice shots.
I also use the 2.8 24-70 as my Favorite Lens.
Could you tell me the GC Number of the Multi?, the Location looks very interesting with the ferry boat, the fances and so on.
Grüße aus Deutschland Frank
Hi Bert.
Gotta be honest it’s a lens I do get quite a bit of work out of; that and a 70-200m f/2.8.
I guess it all depends on what style you have as to what lens you’re going to be sway towards. Alot of my work is quite low angle and the 24-70mm just fits the bill.
Absolutely superb series of images in this post. It really makes me want to force myself out with just one lens and just see what can be done when there’s no agenda.
All the best to you,
Glyn
Thx all! It’s very interesting to see different opinions on this lens (and a standard zoom in general).
@Frank: GCXG6G
Thx Bert, i added the Cache to my Watchlist.
Greets Frank aka Yellow Moose(GC)
Hi,
lol.
Nice discussion, but unnecessarily !
If Bert tell us the reason why he felt in love to his wife, i got not reason to write about i didn’t or did fall in love to her, too. (Sorry Bert, i’m sure u got a lovely wife
)
I think, the most important question is, what is our favorite lens ! Bert got his reasons, someone has other reason.
Someone my hate this lense and some of us use an other camerasystem.
So, what is your favorit lens (allday, everoncam or for special use only) ??
I prefer my Minolta 50 mm/ 1,7. I realy like it and no, i can’t explain why. That’s real love
But, psst. Don’t tell it to my wife
best wishes
Gunnar
I thought it was really about LOVE….you are talking about your passion am I right? It’s ok if you Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L USM got stolen, always remember that when you lost something there’s a good in return. Enjoy your new 24-70:-)
Great shots as always, liked the b&w of the kids (reflected in the puddle) and the horse.
I really love my 24-70mm, for the work I have to do (weddings, events, newspaper, travel) I have to think on my feet and need somethingnthat will give me the best possible results when time is of the essence, in that respect the 24-70 covers a lot of bases for me and I always have it on my 5D mk II and have one of my other lenses (17-40, 50 or 80-200) on my 5D as back up. If I could only take one lens out with me, it would be the 24-70.
Awesome shots… I totally love the moods in them
Pretty nice atmosphere photos…
Lately the 24-105 f/4 L has been my go to lens. The only downside is its widest aperture. It’s a nice range, too, for shooting video on a full frame.
Bert, ya big stud, when I shot Canon I found the 135mm f/2 the most amazing portrait lens I’ve ever used. I just bring that up when someone mentions canon lenses. Perhaps you’ve tried it?
The photographs are wonderful!
Very best,
Tom
Good day sir,
i would like to know if you used photoshop or lightroom in your shots here.
if not, what did you use to make the colors different or pop out?
please kindly tell me.
i’m an aspiring photographer and i was browsing some stuff on the internet and i found your images very stunning!!
thank you.