Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Last update: Video Review by CameraLabs (03 August’07)
Complementing the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and EF 70-200mm f/4L USM, the lens completes Canon’s f/4L-series zoom lens range. These lenses are designed for professional photographers requiring a light zoom lens with a fixed aperture throughout the zoom range. For outstanding camera shake reduction, Image Stabilizer allows shutter speeds of 3 stops slower than would otherwise be possible, with no perceptible increase in image blur.
Overall Rating:
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Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Reviews
CameraLabs reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS and writes:
“Canon EOS 5D owners looking for a standard zoom could of course always fit a cheaper lens, but the camera’s high resolution and full-frame coverage is unforgiving. It really demands L glass, especially from a zoom, and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM will certainly deliver the goods. Its relatively high list price and the compelling advantages of the quicker EF 24-70mm and cheaper EF 17-40mm ultimately prevent us from awarding it a Highly Recommended, but it remains the best overall choice for most new 5D owners looking for a standard zoom.”
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Photo.net reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS and writes:
” Producing a high quality 4:1 zoom lens is very challenging, but the “L” in “Canon 24-105L” assures you of professional quality images, rugged construction, and substantial weather-proofing. The 24mm wide end is wide enough to be dramatic and the 105mm telephoto end is long enough to provide a significant flattening effect for portraits. With the light weight achieved by designing for an f/4 rather than an f/2.8 aperture, the 24-105/4L is a great travel lens.”
Rating: N/A
Canon EF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM Lens Video Review by KuwaitVista
Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS vs 24-70mm f/2.8 Video Review by KuwaitVista
Wlcastleman.com reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS and writes:
“The near perfect focal length range comes at the expense of greater linear distortion and vignetting (light drop off). At 24mm, there is moderate barrel distortion. At 100mm, there is moderate pincushion. The vignetting almost disappears by f/8. For most photographic applications, the vignetting and barrel distortion generally will not be noticeable.”
Rating: N/A
PopPhoto reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS and writes:
“This would be great for travel photography and about 90% of a wedding photographer’s work. But as an f/4, it can’t help in low light or with defocusing many backgrounds, so most wedding shooters will still have to carry another higher-speed lens in its zoom range.”
Rating: N/A
Photozone reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS and writes:
” Is it a perfect lens then ? Well, there’re also downsides like pronounced barrel distortions and higher than expected CAs at the wide-end of the zoom range. However, the package remains extremely attractive if you can live with the rather unattractive zoom range on an APS-C DSLR - similar to other 28-xx or 24-xx zooms this lens is really more meant for 1.3x or FF (D)SLRs.”
Rating: N/A
The Digital Picture reviews Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM and writes:
” The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens’ color and contrast are excellent… The 24-105 L’s IS is very quiet and very well behaved (does not jump when starting, …). IS does not stop subject motion blur, but it is excellent for stopping camera shake. IS allows use of narrower aperture settings to increase DOF (Depth of Field) in handheld shots with non-moving subjects (landscapes, sculptures, art …). IS allows use of longer shutter speeds to create motion blurs - such as moving water. ”
Rating: N/A
Mark D. Segal compared both Canon EOS 24-105mm F/4 L IS USM with Canon EF 28-135mm IS USM at Luminous Landscape and wrote:
” At 105mm it is hard to see much difference in resolution even at 100% magnification; At 28mm and 50mm the differences of sharpness/resolution are obvious even at f8, which should be in the range of the “sweet spot” for both lenses; 24mm really expands the image area considerably compared with 28mm; at the telephoto end 105mm is enough for me, considering that I also have a 70~300mm; Maximum telephoto aperture of f/4 versus f/5.6 (twice the amount of light).”
Rating: N/A
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Samples
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Sample Photos @ CameraLabs
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Sample Photos @ TheDigitalPicture
1DM2 24-105L ISO 200 1/640s f/6.3 (100% crop) - added 09.10.05
Canon EOS 24-105mm f/4L IS samples by Travis - Added 06.10.05
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS (Original): 1/60, F4, 40mm
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS (100% CROP): 1/60, F4, 40mm
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS (Original): 1/60, F4, 105mm
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS (100% CROP): 1/60, F4, 105mm
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS (Original): 1/60, F4, 55mm
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS (100% CROP): 1/60, F4, 55mm
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS (Original): 1/60, F4, 105mm
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS(100% CROP): 1/60, F4, 105mm
Comments:
“My personal opinion at this point is that the lens is plenty sharp at 105mm, though at 24-60 this lens is SUPER sharp! The build quality is great and my initial few shots with IS have shown a noticeable improvement over the 28-135 IS I used to use. Focusing is fast and quiet, and the lens feels just right on my 20D. At this point, I’m thinking it’s definitely a keeper.
So is it sharper at 40-55mm than 105mm? In a word, yes. Sharpness at 105mm and F4 still isn’t bad, though. “
Canon EOS 5D at ISO 800-3200 with Canon EOS 24-105mm f/4L IS samples by Vidar - Added 05.10.05
- Canon 24-105 lens at ISO 1600, 84 mm 1/25 at f/4
- Canon 24-105 lens at ISO 3200
- Canon 24-105 lens at ISO 1600
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS VS Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro sample by Doc Tonic - Added 04.10.05
- @ f5.6 iso 640 on Canon EOS 5D
Comments: “Here is a 100% crop of a 24-105 lens shot at 105mm compared to my canon 100mm 2.8 macro, which is a notoriously sharp lens. I’ve seen quite a few soft photos of the 24-105 lens online and was hoping it was just user error or something like that, but sadly I think its just the lens. Obviously no zoom has the optics of a prime, but you’d like to think it comes close. Shot on a tripod with a shutter release as well.”
Samples of Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS with Canon EOS 20D for portraiture work by José - Added 03.10.05
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ 1/320s f/4.0 at 105.0mm iso100 with Flash
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @1/500s f/5.6 at 24.0mm iso100 with Flash
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @1/200s f/5.0 at 97.0mm iso100 with Flash
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @1/640s f/4.0 at 105.0mm iso100 with Flash
Comments: “I absolutely love this lens: very sharp, smooth bokeh, nice colours and IS to boot!”
Samples of Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS with Canon EOS 20D & 350D(real world test) by Robert, LisaO & Pat - Added 30.09.05
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM 1/20s f/5.6 at 82.0mm iso400 (nice bokeh - original size)
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24.0mm 1/25s f/14.0 & iso200 (edge crop)
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24.0mm, 1/25s f/14.0 and ISO 200 (center crop)
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24mm, f13, 1/30 second, IS on, ISO 100 (full size)
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @105.0mm 1/400s f/7.1, ISO 200 (full size)
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24.0mm 1/200s f/10.0, ISO 200
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Samples (original size)
Samples of Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS with Canon EOS 5D (real world test) by Richt2000 - Added 28.09.05
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24mm, f/4
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24mm, f/4 (100% crop)
Comments: “Wow. What an amazing lens. To be as sharp and contrasty, with L saturation at all these focal lengths is amazing. Throw in L build, Ring USM, 3rd Gen, its a keeper.
The only -ve I have is the distortion at 24mm. Others have reported vingetting - I’m yet to see too much of this. But that at 24mm distortion would spoil any architechture shots. Answer is - this lens rules, but use a wide angle if you have one if you want your straight lines straighter at 24mm !”
Samples of Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS with Canon EOS 1D MKII by AndyC - Added 27.09.05
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @55mm f/4.5 ISO 100 1/400s
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @32mm f/6.3 ISO 100 1/60s
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @35mm f/6.3 ISO 100 1/60s
Comments: “..the lens is its very fast at focussing, its as quick as my 35mm 1.4 and 135mm. Whilst shooting I was also carrying around my 17-40mm and although this is lighter than the 24-105, in the field, the overall weight felt very similar. The IS is a lot quieter than the one on my 300mm maybe because its a newer version, but its good not to have a loud humming noise when its switched on.”
Samples of Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS VS Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 by Lint - Added 26.09.05
- Canon 24-105mm @ 24mm, f/4 VS Canon 24-70mm @ 24mm, f/4
- Canon 24-105mm @ 70mm, f/4 VS Canon 24-70mm @ 70mm, f/4
Comments: “The 24-105 seems to have an edge at 24, the 24-70 is clearly the winner at 70! The 24-70 wide open looses from the 24-105 wide open both at 24 and 70 mm.”
Samples of Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS VS Canon 70-200 f/4L by hnsmr - added 24.09.05
- 24-105mm vs 70-200mm f4 at 105 mm (1.2 MB)
Comments: “Converted RAW, no in camera sharpness of photoshop-sharpness done. 100 % at f4, f5,6, f8. “
Samples of Canon 17-40 F/4L VS Canon 24-105 f/4L IS VS Canon 24-70 F/2.8L by WSlam (Added 24.09.05)
WSlam has just posted his comparison shots from Canon 17-40mm F/4L, Canon 24-70mm F/2.8L and the new Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS.
Comments: “Due to poor weather here in Hong Kong, I had to take these indoor. The camera (EOS20D) was mounted on a tripod. White Balance was obtained from a grey card and applied during RAW conversion. All photos were shot in RAW, connverted into unsharpened JPG then resized and sharpened in PhotoShop CS2 (Smart Sharpen 80, 0.8, Lens Blur). Everything was done in batch, so all the files received the same ‘treatment’. Full Size (zipped) are unsharpened. Focus point is on the dog’s right eye (the one on the left).”
@24mm comparison
Canon 17-40mm
- @23 mm@f_4@1_25 s (.ZIP file)
- @23 mm@f_8@1_6 s (.ZIP file)
Canon 24-70mm
- @24 mm@f_2.8@1_30 s (.ZIP file)
- @24 mm@f_8@1_4 s (.ZIP file)
Canon 24-105mm
- @24 mm@f_4@1_15 s (.ZIP file)
- @24 mm@f_8@1_4 s (.ZIP file)
@70mm comparison
Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L
- @70 mm@f_2.8@1_20 s (.ZIP file)
- @70 mm@f_8@0.4 s (.ZIP file)
Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS
- @70 mm@f_4@1_8 s (.ZIP file)
- @70 mm@f_8@0.5 s (.ZIP file)
More samples are available at his website
Sample Photos by hnsmr & Lint shot with Canon 350D & 20D - added 23.09.05
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS @ 60mm, f/4 & 1/20 secs, IS on (3.92 MB)
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS @ 70mm, f/5 & 1/30 secs, IS on (2.86MB)
Sample Photos by DreamU, USA shot with Canon 350D - added 04.09.05
Sample 1 @60mm f/4.5 1/100s (2.99 MB)
Sample 2 @105mm f/4 1/256s (2.52MB)
Sample 3: F4, 24mm, 1/8sec, Handheld but IS=ON (4.43 MB)
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Discussions
- Review of EOS 5D 24-105 / Field comparison with 1Ds and 10D at wedding
- Vignetting problem on EF 24-105/f4L IS
- Check the lates price on Canon 17-40mm f/4L
- Check the latest price on Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L
- Check the latest price on Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM FLARE PROBLEM
There is a rumor floating around the photography forums regarding Canon is stopping all production of 24-105 L lens due to some problems with the lens.
The rumor started from these 2 Japaneese forum websites:
- http://www.eos-d-slr.net/digi_bbs/wforum.cgi?list=tree&no=27388&mode=allread
- http://kakaku.com/bbs/Main.asp?SortID=4504973&ViewRule=1&CookieNon=1
You can try to read them using Babel Fish Translation here
Last Update (21.10.05)
The rumor that has been around lately is that Canon has stopped producing and shipping the 24-105 lenses while they fix the problem. They have also asked dealers to return unsold stock so the problem can be fixed.
They will have parts available on November 15 to fix the problem on lenses that have already been sold. They will, of course, fix the problem at no cost.
They expect a FAST turn-around on repairs since only about 1,500 lenses have made it into the market place and they have multiple service centers.The lens should be returned within 10-14 days.
Since we have not heard any official words from Canon, the best thing to do is to ask you dealer before making any purchase decision.
SAMPLE IMAGES WITH FLARE
- Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 24-105mm, 1/30s f/5.0 @ 24.0mm by Lesman99
- Canon 1Ds2, Canon EF 24-105mm @24mm no filter used by Kylee
- Canon EF 24-105mm sample images with flare posted at digi.163.com (Japaneese)
- Canon EF 24-105mm sample images with flare shot at a music concert by Tschaal
- Canon 20D, Canon EF 24-105mm @24mm by Peter Mandelson
- Canon 5D, Canon EF 24-105mm @24mm by Leah which only happened at f/4
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See also: Canon Lenses | Lens Reviews
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Hmm… sweet!