View Full Version : Why do I still lust after the Canon 24-70?
I currently have the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 which I love. It's a superb bit of glass with a good range on a crop, constant f/2.8, IS and it's sharp.
So why do I still lust after the 24-70? :(
It's not that I'm an "L whore" - I'm perfectly happy with the quality of the 17-55 and honestly think it's effectively an "L" in all but name.
I suppose my only real criticisms of the 17-55 are the slightly lacklustre build quality compared to genuine "L" lenses and the lack of weather sealing, both of which the 24-70 would address, so maybe this is it.
The difference in range between the two lenses doesn't matter that much to me as I have a 10-22 to cover the wide end the 24-70 lacks and the 15mm gap between the 17-55 and my 70-200 is never really a problem.
The question is, whilst the 24-70 would give me the build quality and weather sealing, would I miss the IS?
In an ideal world, the three main things I want from a walkabout are f/2.8, IS and build/weather-sealing. At present Canon simply don't do a lens with all three. The 17-55 lacks the build/sealing, the 24-70 lacks the IS and the 24-105 lacks the f/2.8.
A 24-70 IS has been in the offing for years but, if and when it ever arrives, I fear a £1500+ price tag :(
Because you know it's the cream of the crop for that focal range and in your mind, somewhere, it is better than the 17-55.
May be you can rent one for a week to see? Then you can decide if it's worth the change.
Yeah I've thought about renting one to try but it's about 60 quid just to rent :(
Do you reckon I'd miss the IS?
I have no idea, none of my lenses has IS.
Do you reckon I'd miss the IS?
Turn it off for a while and see how you get on?
If you rarely shoot slower than the 1/focal length 'rule', you'll probably be OK without (or at least suffer only a minimal number of 'duds').
PS - Both my 'main' lenses have IS and both have it switched on.
Oh bloody hell, it's now dropped to £916 on Amazon - they're deliberately trying to tempt me.
Should I...........?
I paid £875 for mine from Kerso. Or less, not over £900.
Yeah I got my 70-200 from Ian.
Not sure what his current prices are like but, if it's around what you paid, I'd rather pay the relatively little extra for a "proper" UK model tbh.
I don't think there are proper UK model for lenses. The only difference in camera is the battery charger.
Yeah I suppose - just the technical difference twixt a UK model and "grey" import but don't think it makes that much difference.
Moot point anyway as his latest price on the 24-70 is £899 + £10 delivery which is all of £7 less than Amazon.
I've decided that, if I can get £600 for the 17-55 then I'm going to make the switch :) I may regret it but you have to give these things a try :)
Lens warranties are worldwide anyway. It's bodies you have to worry about, but since Ian issues UK receipts, they're supposed to be good for UK warranty. Never tested that (never bought anything from him).
Lens warranties are worldwide anyway. It's bodies you have to worry about, but since Ian issues UK receipts, they're supposed to be good for UK warranty. Never tested that (never bought anything from him).
Not tested the body but got my 24-70 fixed for free and i got it from him.
Argh, Amazon is back up to £955 - that was the shortest discount ever!
Matblack
18-03-2011, 09:36
Bought the 24-105mm because I 'just had to try it', its back in the box and waiting till I have the heart to sell it, the 17-55 is the ideal lens for a crop and despite wanting a black lens with a red ring I won't be testing that water again until I get a 5D
MB
Much as I keep telling my self that the 17-55 is the perfect lens on a crop, I still want the 24-70 for the improved build quality and weather sealing. I may well end up regretting it but sometimes you just have to take the plunge.
All a moot point right now as there doesn't seem to be much interest in my 17-55, or indeed a couple of others I've seen for sale. Much as I'm tempted to just buy the 24-70 now, I really ought to sell the 17-55 first.
Ray, out of interest what was up with your 24-70? Was it just focus calibration or something more serious? I remember you posting when you got it back saying it was "bang on" now but can't remember what the original issue was.
Build quality doesn't mean a jot if it's not the right range for you. :)
You may have two lenses to cover the wide range, but do you want to carry them both all the time?
I went the 15-85 route myself. Wider and longer than the 24-70 with pretty good build quality and less money to boot. Of course, you do lose the constant f/2.8 which you've said is important to you. Thankfully, I've never had that option so can't miss it.
TBH I have no issue with swapping lenses to get the wide end really. Whilst I sometimes leave my 70-200 behind if I want to travel light, I always take the 10-22 with me as it's small enough not to be a problem :)
Whole issue looks moot right now as there's no real interest in the 17-55. I'm in no rush, I think I'll leave it up for sale and, if someone offers me what I want for it at some point then I'll look at making the switch.
The 24-70 may just be an ich I need to scratch but it's been bugging me for a while now :)
Beansprout
19-03-2011, 02:37
I've got a 7D + 15 - 85 IS and also want the 24 - 70. I know it makes no sense and that the logical lens to buy is the 70 - 200L as that augments what I have, but there you go...
Need to spend the money on power bills instead some might say :p
Do you have a wide lens yet? Much as I empathise with your lust for the 24-70, there's no way I'd switch to one myself if I didn't have the 10-22 as 24mm on a crop simply isn't wide enough a lot of the time.
^^^ I agree with this. Not so much need with the 15-85, but if you're planning on selling that to fund the 24-70, you'd better factor the wide end in to your plans. :)
PS - Yes I do know you got your 7D first. I even looked at the deal you'd got. :p
Beansprout
19-03-2011, 11:17
That's why it makes no sense because I'd have to sell the very practical 15 - 85 and get something like the 10 - 22, but while the 15-85 is nice it's still a big change to L (used to have a 17-40, got rid due to weight and f/4 slowness)
Ray, out of interest what was up with your 24-70? Was it just focus calibration or something more serious? I remember you posting when you got it back saying it was "bang on" now but can't remember what the original issue was.
Mine had an internal electronic issue, some dust got into a contact in between internally somewhere and it just gave the general ERROR 99 message. They didn't replace any parts, just cleaned it, calibrated it and its now actually sharper than it was!
Well there's been very little interest in the 17-55, for whatever reason, so I've decided to keep it for now.
Maybe I'll go through this all again in a few months but, for now, keeping the 17-55 is the sensible option.
Now, what else can I buy instead? ;) Still fancy trying a grip :D
Ok I caved.
New 24-70 arriving tomorrow \o/
(Anyone wanna buy a 17-55?)
Lol, beat me to posting here :D
Haha, you're following me around! :p
The Brick has arrived \o/
OMG it's huge!
Mine's still in a van somewhere, is it definitely the real deal?
Yep it's the real deal alright. Full retail boxed jobbie and very well packaged in loads of bubble wrap.
Date code is UZ0619 so it was manufactured only last month!
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