Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Last updated (19 February’13):
- Review & Sample Photos @ Photozone.de
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is a standard zoom lens. The lens features 24-105mm at focal length with maximum aperture of f/4. The lens construction has 18 elements in 13 groups and has diagonal angle of view at 84 degrees. Closest focusing distance at 45 cm (17.7 in) and has a filter size of 77mm. The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens weighs 23.6 Ounces and it measures 3.3 inches in diameter and 4 inches long.
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| Latest Price Info: sold start from $689.00
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Reviews
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.”
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Ephotozine reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and writes;
“Canon’s EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a great all-round standard lens which, apart from covering a useful zoom range, delivers excellent sharpness and is built well enough to take the rigours of daily professional use.”
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SLRGear reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and writes;
“In our testing on a sub-frame camera, the 24-105 ranged from astonishingly good at 24mm to merely excellent at 105mm. At wide angle, this lens is exceptionally sharp from corner to corner, even wide open.”
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Photoreview reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and writes;
“The IS function was also useful for close-ups, where a magnification of 0.23x is provided at 105mm. The silence and speed of the ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor) proved valuable for many shooting situations and the autofocusing control was very accurate. Finally, the weather-proof sealing was valuable for shooting in demanding situations.”
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Bobatkins reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and writes;
“The EF 24-105/4L IS USM is a very nice lens indeed. On a full frame DSLR like the EOS 5D, it has an ideal focal length range for a single general purpose lens, with applications ranging from landscapes to portraits. It can be used wide open at f4 and still yield very sharp images and with the 3 stops of stabization which the IS system provides, it’s useful for low light work as well.”
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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.”
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Canon EF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM Lens 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.”
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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.”
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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. ”
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Lenstip.com reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM and writes;
“Looking at the pros list you could boldly state we deal here with an excellent instrument. There are two small “buts” though. Firstly, on a small APS-C sensor the maximum angle of view is 59 degrees so as much as a 38 mm lens gave on an analogue camera. If you want a really wide angle of view you must attach the 24-105 IS to a 5D but the image quality at the frame edge will be worse for sure. Secondly the price. Such quality costs a lot and Canon knows it perfectly well, selling this lens for almost 1100 $.”
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Kenrockwell.com reviews the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM and writes;
“IS works great! I get perfectly sharp shots 50% of the time at 1/4 second at any focal length. That means, on average, if I make about two shots for each shot, one of them will be perfectly sharp at 100% magnification on my 5D.”
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Luminous-landscape.com compares the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM to Canon 24-70 mm f2.8 L and writes;
“I’m a nature and wildlife photographer. Linear distortion is not a big deal most of the time, and vignetting is easily compensated for in Camera Raw. On the other hand, weight and size are issues that interest me, my neck and my back! And as I age, I find IS increasingly valuable even at modest focal lengths. So for me, the new lens is a no-brainer, especially when I don’t have to accept any less resolution, – and I get an extra 35 mm of reach!”
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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).”
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Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM User Reviews
Excellent quality walkaround lens | Rating:
“Optical quality is excellent, as you would expect with an L lens, and autofocus is smooth and fast. Keep in mind on a camera with a cropped sensor (any Canon DSLR model other than the 5D and 1D models) the focal range is equivalent to @40-170mm – you lose a bit of the wide angle advantage, but you get more telephoto, so it depends which end of the focal range you value the most as to whether that is a disadvantage or not. “ – by Comdet
My Favorite Lens | Rating:
“I received my new lens as advertised and in perfect shape. I took it on a week-long vacation and took 100-200 photos using it. It is HEAVY (about 2 lb), but I immediately noticed how sharp these photos were, compared to my EF 18-55mm lens that came with my Canon Rebel XTi. I saw fewer chromatic aberrations with the 24-105. I also really like the fit and finish of my new zoom, making it worth the $1200+ price. This has been the first time I’ve used image stabilization, and I love it.” – by Karen
Great Everyday Lens | Rating:
“I had tried this lens first on the 5DMII and thought the IQ was terrific. I then tired it on the 40D and although not as great as on the 5DMII the difference from my non “L” lenses was appreciable. When I purchased my 7D I was hoping this was the kit lens so that I could take advantage of the discounted price, but unfortunately it wasn’t part of the package. I payed full price for it and that is my only complaint. The IQ doesn’t seem to be as good on the 7D (a cropped sensor) as is on the full frame 5DMII, but is still much better than the 17-55 mm that I used as my everyday lens for the 40D. For the price, I think it could have been better than an f/4.0 -especially for indoor low light situations. It’s quiet and focuses quickly. Overall, I think it’s a great lens and if you can swallow the price then you won’t regret getting it. “ – by Karen
My Standard Walkabout Lens | Rating:
“I’ve owned this lens over a year now and have to say the 24-105 image quality is superb, and build quality is what you’d expect from am “L” lens. I wish the lens was faster like the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras but I guess what you give up in speed, you gain in reach. Since I find myself zooming in a lot, it’s more useful to me than the 24-70.” – by Michael D. Newcomer
Great lense! | Rating:
“This is my daytime walkaround lense. The range is pretty good with the crop factor on my xsi. Great build quality, nice color, and contrast. No complaints – you really do get what you pay for here. “ – by A guy from brooklyn
really good lens | Rating:
“I was debating getting the 24-70 or this; I got this, and so far I am not disappointed. I like IS and don’t often use wider apertures; besides, I already have a Tamron 28-75, which is a very nice lens, and much lighter than the 24-70. Anyway, the 24-105 really does make a good “walkaround” lens, and the IS is very cool (just give it a second to kick in when you push the shutter halfway). On a 5D, the range is very useful, and I combine this with a 70-300 IS, which is also very nice on a 5D.” – by B. Florence
Love the L glass | Rating:
“This is my first L glass and I love it! We thought long and hard before spending this much money on a lens. I’m glad we did and my wife loves it too. I clearly understand why professionals use good glass. I wouldn’t want anything less for my own photos. “ – by Eugene A. Davis
Beautiful warm photos from a wondeful all-around lens | Rating:
“The 24-105 turned out warmer, more beautiful photos in both indoor and outdoor usage, capturing vibrant, accurate colors. The IS works well and is much quieter than the newer IS in the Canon EF-S 17-55mm. While some sort of external stabilization is necessary, it works reasonably well for low-light photography. And the colors…grasses are green, skin tones look healthy, my cat’s fur gleams, and every color pops. The best results of any lens I’ve tried on my Canon DSLR so far. “ – by Omar Siddique
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Sample Photos
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Sample Photos @ Mylensdb.com
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Sample Photos @ Pixel-peeper.com
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Sample Photos @ Photographyreview.com
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Sample Photos @ Flickr.com
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Sample Photos @ Pbase.com
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Sample Photos @ The-digital-picture.com
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Sample Photos @ Amazon.com
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM User Manual
- Download Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM User Manual (PDF – 1.6Mb)
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Press Release
Canon today announces the launch of its latest professional L-series lens: the lightweight EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM with Image Stabilizer. Dust and moisture resistant and incorporating Canon’s very finest standards of precision optics, the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is designed for reportage, event, travel and celebrity photographers looking for a lightweight and manoeuvrable lens with minimal image quality compromise.
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.
The L-series is Canon’s flagship professional lens range, designed to include outstanding image performance, ultimate operability and weather resistance. The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM offers a lightweight alternative to the renowned EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM.
Image Stabilizer
Image Stabilizer (IS) dramatically reduces image blur caused by camera shake. Gyro sensors detect unwanted vibrations, triggering the corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. This alters the light path, returning the image to its correct position on the sensor or film plane.
The 3 stop advantage means that photographers normally shooting a 105mm lens handheld at 1/125 sec can obtain a shake free result with a shutter speed as low as 1/15 sec, for vastly extended options in low light conditions.
Superb auto-focus
The ring-type USM motor found in the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM employs ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive auto focus with unrivalled speed and near-silent operation. A powerful CPU and improved AF algorithm contribute to speed performance. Good holding torque stops the lens with precision and accuracy, the instant it arrives at the correct focus point and without overshoot. Photographers can choose manual focus instantly and at any time simply by moving the manual focus ring without first having to switch out of auto focus mode.
Constant f/4 aperture from 24 to 105mm
The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM offers the highest possible optical quality with no change in aperture over the full focal range of the lens. This allows photographers to set exposure at the widest aperture and zoom all the way through to 105mm without having to vary the shutter speed. It is the perfect lens for professional photographers looking for a lightweight and extended zoom alternative to its EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM counterpart. The lens employs an almost perfectly circular barrel aperture, helping create attractive, defocused backgrounds.
Image quality
To limit lens size and improve image clarity over the total image area, an Ultra-Low Dispersion glass (UD) element is used to eliminate the secondary chromatic aberrations that otherwise reduce sharpness and introduce colour fringing. Aspherical lens elements correct spherical aberration for crisp, high contrast corner-to-corner quality. By optimising Super Spectra lens coatings and lens element shaping, Canon’s engineers have been effective in suppressing flare and ghosting – more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural colour balance.
EOS system integration
The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM includes distance metering information, providing compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system of late model cameras such as the EOS-1D Mark II N and EOS 5D . When used in conjunction with Canon’s range of EX Speedlite flash units, the lens passes distance information to the flash algorithm for markedly improved flash exposure metering. To match the weather resistance afforded by EOS-1 professional camera bodies, an O-ring seals the lens against the lens mount and numerous seals around the lens’ moving components provide protection against the ingress of dust and moisture.
AF Mode and IS switches have been reshaped, making them less susceptible to being engaged or disengaged accidentally.
The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM comes with a bayonet mount lens hood EW-83H and soft lens pouch LP1219. In keeping with Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment, the lens features only lead-free glass.
Canon EF 24 – 105 mm F4.0L IS USM specifications
Focal length
24 – 105 mm
Maximum aperture
F4.0
Minimum aperture
F22
Angle of view
• Horizontal: 74° – 19° 20′
• Vertical: 53° – 13°
• Diagonal: 84° – 23° 20′
Lens construction
18 elements in 13 groups
Diaphragm blades
8
Closest focusing distance
45 cm (17.7 in)
Maximum magnification
0.23x (at 105 mm)
Distance information
Yes
Image stabilizer
3-stops
AF actuator
Ring USM (full-time manual focus built-in)
Filter diameter
77 mm
Dimensions (dia x len)
83.5 x 107 mm
Weight
670 g (1.5 lb)
Magnification with extension tubes
• EF 12 II: 0.40 – 0.12
• EF 25 II: 0.61 – 0.27 (only at tele)
Lens hood
EW-83H
Soft case
LP1219
Extenders
• EF 1.4x II: Not compatible
• EF 2.0x II: Not compatible
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Hmm… sweet!