24-105mm -- Why can't I love it?

whom

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Steve
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This will be long and boring so only read if you've nothing better to do...

I recently got the 5D2 with 24-105 kit. Initially I wasn't overly pleased with spending the money and then I realised that it wasn't the body, it was just the lens. I had been used to using my 5D classic with my 50mm 1.4 and the 24-105mm just didn't seem to give such pleasing results.

Yes, it is a very useful lens. Yes it's sharp and AF is fast and accurate. Yes the IS is very useful.

So I've taken 2200 shots with it. 550 at 24mm and 950 at 105mm. 1050 at F/4 and 505 at F/5.6.

I like the zoom, often it comes in very handy. But there is just something about the 50mm that gives it the edge. Maybe it's just the bigger aperture. Perhaps it is because I don't have to think about the shot - what I want in it, what I don't, what's the best angle etc. Basically, I like a lot of shots with the 24-105mm, but I love more taken through the 50mm.

I'm not sure I could cope without it however. I do little bits of paid work here and there where it is an essential accomplice.

I have a feeling I am not the only person who feels this way. I am torn between selling it and buying a couple more primes (maybe the 28mm 1.8 and 100mm 2), or just accepting it and not using it when it can be avoided.

Sorry for the waffle. Have you ever felt this way? What did you do to solve the feeling?
 
Which 50mm you using, Sigma or Canon? They're great lenses, whichever you use, and you do feel that other lenses lack something after using them. The only thing I've seen that's close to them, is the 70-200mkII.

You mentioned the 100mm, and if you're referring to the 100mm 2.8L IS USM Macro lens, I've just bought that, and it's VERY nice. Not had much chance to use it since I got it this week as it's been monsoon weather outside, but the few photos I've taken, while not being the best in the world, are very impressive.
 
Bluesmachine said:
Which 50mm you using, Sigma or Canon? They're great lenses, whichever you use, and you do feel that other lenses lack something after using them. The only thing I've seen that's close to them, is the 70-200mkII.

You mentioned the 100mm, and if you're referring to the 100mm 2.8L IS USM Macro lens, I've just bought that, and it's VERY nice. Not had much chance to use it since I got it this week as it's been monsoon weather outside, but the few photos I've taken, while not being the best in the world, are very impressive.
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It's the Canon 1.4, I got it new from Jessops for £185 a year or so ago. They mispriced it so I was straight in there!

I hadn't thought of the macro... I had only thought of the 100mm F/2. I quite like the idea of a dedicated macro and no more sticking tubes behind the 50mm!

Must. Not. Get. Carried. Away.
 
strumstrum said:
I have both lenses and I don't like the 50mm 1.4 on FF but adore the 24-105L, 1Dsmk2 w/ 24-105L & 430ex2 is easily my fave combo, then I use the 50mm 1.4 on a crop body.. I did buy the 100mm but prefer the 50 on crop than the 100 on FF
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Wow I never thought I'd hear someone so against the 1.4. What is it you prefer about the 24-105 and why do you dislike the 50mm so much?
 
whom said:
This will be long and boring so only read if you've nothing better to do...

I recently got the 5D2 with 24-105 kit. Initially I wasn't overly pleased with spending the money and then I realised that it wasn't the body, it was just the lens. I had been used to using my 5D classic with my 50mm 1.4 and the 24-105mm just didn't seem to give such pleasing results.

Yes, it is a very useful lens. Yes it's sharp and AF is fast and accurate. Yes the IS is very useful.

So I've taken 2200 shots with it. 550 at 24mm and 950 at 105mm. 1050 at F/4 and 505 at F/5.6.

I like the zoom, often it comes in very handy. But there is just something about the 50mm that gives it the edge. Maybe it's just the bigger aperture. Perhaps it is because I don't have to think about the shot - what I want in it, what I don't, what's the best angle etc. Basically, I like a lot of shots with the 24-105mm, but I love more taken through the 50mm.

I'm not sure I could cope without it however. I do little bits of paid work here and there where it is an essential accomplice.

I have a feeling I am not the only person who feels this way. I am torn between selling it and buying a couple more primes (maybe the 28mm 1.8 and 100mm 2), or just accepting it and not using it when it can be avoided.

Sorry for the waffle. Have you ever felt this way? What did you do to solve the feeling?
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After reading through this I had to flick back to the top of the page to make sure I hadn't written it late one night and forgotten about it! I feel exactly the same. The whole situation is how I've been feeling about it.

I have an 85mm and a 50mm both f/1.8 and they have made me realise that f/4 is too slow for me, and all the other things you say about framing, worrying what's in and out etc. It's just not fun.

The only reason I'm not selling it immediately is because I use it for occasional studio work, mainly family.

At £500-600 second hand it's a lot of investment not to be loving using.
 
Phall82 said:
After reading through this I had to flick back to the top of the page to make sure I hadn't written it late one night and forgotten about it! I feel exactly the same. The whole situation is how I've been feeling about it.

I have an 85mm and a 50mm both f/1.8 and they have made me realise that f/4 is too slow for me, and all the other things you say about framing, worrying what's in and out etc. It's just not fun.

The only reason I'm not selling it immediately is because I use it for occasional studio work, mainly family.

At £500-600 second hand it's a lot of investment not to be loving using.
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That is the trouble, it is a fair lump of cash. But then again, it should only lose value slowly, especially if unused. That is if Canon doesn't release a mkII priced at £600 with 4 stop IS.....

Perhaps I should just accept that I'm going to need it sometimes. I recently stuck it on my camera with 430EX on top and handed it over to my brother for my graduation. Right at the end of the day I stuck my 50mm on for a few more shots. Guess which ones are going to get printed....

I'm going to Hong Kong and China on Wednesday. I can't work out if the 24-105 will be the ideal companion, or my worst enemy stopping me from composing better shots...
 
strumstrum said:
I like the lens on crop sensor for portraits but not on FF, the distance is just to in the middle of nowhere for me.
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Fair enough. Is it mainly portraits you do? I can see why it wouldn't be too useful for that.
 
whom said:
Fair enough. Is it mainly portraits you do? I can see why it wouldn't be too useful for that.
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I can strongly recommend the 85mm f1.8. It's pretty much the same focal length as the 50mm on crop but so much better build quality and handling. It's my favourite lens (that I own).
 
Well I have recently gone through a very similar feeling to you.

I've owned four 24-105mm lenses in total - every time I sell one, I think 'Oh no - no standard zoom' and buy one shortly afterwards. It sits in the draw almost all the time and I sell it again!

I've just sold my most recent 24-105 and my 70-200 L IS MKII f/2.8 and gone all primes!

14mm Falcon (cheap especially given the build and optical quality)

35mm f/1.4L - Classic lens

50mm f/2.0 Zeiss Makro Planar ZE - All other 50's seem to get on my nerves for one reason or another - crap bokeh, soft wide open, focus shift or in the case of the Sigma - lovely wide open, but not amazing stopped down.

85mm f/1.2 L - had this once before - why did I ever sell it?

100mm f/2 - Zeiss Makro Planar - heaven!

135L - My third one of these - the prodigal lens!

200mm f/2.8 L - The 70-200mm f/2.8 II was sharper, but I simply prefer the images from this lens.

Hopefully I can resist going back to a zoom - I just don't really like them & would try and manage with primes even if I got back into doing weddings.

As for Hong Kong? I believe flexibility of depth of field is more important than flexibility of focal length. If you're only taking one lens, take the prime. I'd take both....

Phil
 
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whom said:
Fair enough. Is it mainly portraits you do? I can see why it wouldn't be too useful for that.
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Phall82 said:
I can strongly recommend the 85mm f1.8. It's pretty much the same focal length as the 50mm on crop but so much better build quality and handling. It's my favourite lens (that I own).
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For portraits the 50mm on a 1.3 crop works really nicely IMO. The 85mm f/1.8 is a classic lens and is super from f/2.0 downwards.
 
I've only had my 24-105mm a day and I love it already. Picked it up on here for £510 second hand and I can't fault it really. I have a 50mm f/1.8 and yeah, it's a great lens! Only for certain time I find. Especially on a crop sensor, primes like the nifty-fifty can be a little limiting. The 24-105 makes for a great 'walk-about', general purpose lens. It's sharp as anything and the IS is really useful. Not only for shooting below 1/20 of a second but also for video (if you're into that)

I dunno, I guess it's just each to their own when it comes to certain lenses!
 
Colin, I'm not really sure about the 85, or even a 100 to be honest. I don't really do portrait work and the majority of shots I take at 105 on the 24-105 are close up of things or things a long way away that I then have to crop. I seem to go through phases.... I sometimes miss my 70-200mm F/4L that I sold to fund my 100-400mm. But I couldn't part with the 100-400mm not.

Phil, that is a rather nice set of primes you have there. Make sure you don't drop any ;) I was considering that 35mm F/1.4 Samyang.. I might even buy one in HK. The Canon one is a little too pricey. You seem to swap your gear around quite a bit!

Eddy, there is no question it is a nice lens. Possibly I am lazy at heart and so abuse the zoom feature. Perhaps I should make the zoom ring REALLY stiff so I only use it when I need to..
 
whom said:
Eddy, there is no question it is a nice lens. Possibly I am lazy at heart and so abuse the zoom feature. Perhaps I should make the zoom ring REALLY stiff so I only use it when I need to..
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If you're not too fussed about the focal-range, why not try out the 24-70 f/2.8. With that you have a wider aperture and consistent sharpness throughout the (slightly smaller) zoom range. :)
 
Eddzz!! said:
If you're not too fussed about the focal-range, why not try out the 24-70 f/2.8. With that you have a wider aperture and consistent sharpness throughout the (slightly smaller) zoom range. :)
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£:shake:£
 
whom said:
Colin, I'm not really sure about the 85, or even a 100 to be honest. I don't really do portrait work and the majority of shots I take at 105 on the 24-105 are close up of things or things a long way away that I then have to crop. I seem to go through phases.... I sometimes miss my 70-200mm F/4L that I sold to fund my 100-400mm. But I couldn't part with the 100-400mm not.

Phil, that is a rather nice set of primes you have there. Make sure you don't drop any ;) I was considering that 35mm F/1.4 Samyang.. I might even buy one in HK. The Canon one is a little too pricey. You seem to swap your gear around quite a bit!

Eddy, there is no question it is a nice lens. Possibly I am lazy at heart and so abuse the zoom feature. Perhaps I should make the zoom ring REALLY stiff so I only use it when I need to..
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I've heard the 35mm f/1.4 is a belter - good as the Canon except for the lack of AF

I have swapped gear around a lot, hopefully stable now though.....

Phil
 
Hi-jacking the thread a bit here, but seeing as we're on the subject of primes, what's good out there in terms of wide angle? I'm looking for something to compliment the 24-105 for my travels across eastern Europe!
 
philthejuggler said:
I've heard the 35mm f/1.4 is a belter - good as the Canon except for the lack of AF

I have swapped gear around a lot, hopefully stable now though.....

Phil
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Hahahaha If I had a £ for every time I heard that I'd be able to afford that 24-70 2.8.

I give it two weeks :p
 
Eddzz!! said:
Hi-jacking the thread a bit here, but seeing as we're on the subject of primes, what's good out there in terms of wide angle? I'm looking for something to compliment the 24-105 for my travels across eastern Europe!
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Depends on budget

24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/1.8, new 24 or 28mm IS, 24mm f/1.4 MKII or if AF and cash no concern the Zeiss 25mm f/2 ZE is supposed to be wonderful!

Phil
 
Eddzz!! said:
Hi-jacking the thread a bit here, but seeing as we're on the subject of primes, what's good out there in terms of wide angle? I'm looking for something to compliment the 24-105 for my travels across eastern Europe!
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On APS-C I liked 20mm f1.8 (32mm FoV on Canon) and 30mm f1.4 (48mm FoV on Canon.) I used to struggle to choose between them but the 30mm usually won as it's compact and had HSM.
 
whom said:
Fair enough. Is it mainly portraits you do? I can see why it wouldn't be too useful for that.
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weddings mainly so a bit of everything which on many occasion includes using a portable studio at the reception..


Phall82 said:
I can strongly recommend the 85mm f1.8. It's pretty much the same focal length as the 50mm on crop but so much better build quality and handling. It's my favourite lens (that I own).
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better build? I have the 50mm 1.4 and the 100mm 2.0, where does the 85mm 1.8 handle better?
 
strumstrum said:
weddings mainly so a bit of everything which on many occasion includes using a portable studio at the reception..

better build? I have the 50mm 1.4 and the 100mm 2.0, where does the 85mm 1.8 handle better?
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I was meaning better than the 50mm 1.8. However, it is a better build than the Canon 1.4 as well. It's handles better (to me) because it is a more natural size and weight on a 5D body and has ring USM where as the 50mm 1.4 doesn't it has the micro version.
 
simonblue said:
I would give it more time,its a very popular lens which many photographer put to good use.

:)
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That's what my head is telling me. But then I review photos and my heart says otherwise...

Hong Kong and China will be a good test.
 
Eddzz!! said:
Hi-jacking the thread a bit here, but seeing as we're on the subject of primes, what's good out there in terms of wide angle? I'm looking for something to compliment the 24-105 for my travels across eastern Europe!
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17-40L or Samyang 14mm would be my choices.

I know where whom is coming from with the 24-105. Yes, it is a very good lens, but the 17-40 F4L, 70-200 F4 IS L and 100mm f2.8 L IS macro that I have are all better lenses. They just don't cover the "walkabout range" as easily...
 
strumstrum said:
I like the lens on crop sensor for portraits but not on FF, the distance is just to in the middle of nowhere for me.
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I know what you mean, but for portraits (and a long studio) it's great on a crop as it works out about 80mm equivalent. It's brilliant at local gigs too.

My 24-105 is my most used lens, but on a crop I sometimes find the 24 end a little long, which is why I have the 10-22 as well. On a full frame I'd imaging the 24 end would be great.
 
Ive had the 24-105L twice and never really loved it. Whilst still owning it i got a 17-55IS f/2.8 and found i stopped using the 24-105L, so sold it. A few years later i got another (wanted more reach) but again, never really felt it was as nice as my 17-55IS f/2.8. That one lasted about 3 months.
I never really thought they were that sharp either. Nice colour and contrast but compared to the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, 28-75 f/2.8 and Canon 17-55IS f/2.8 ive owned i felt it was a bit soft.
Looking back at my old images in LR, and coming them to my 40mm f/2.8 even that seems to be a bit sharper. Maybe i was just unlucky.
 
I'm pleased to get so many opinions. It is clear I'm not the only one who feels this way but I'm surprised that some people love it so much.

I think I might start thinking more about composition and see if the zoom is making me lazy.
 
whom said:
I'm pleased to get so many opinions. It is clear I'm not the only one who feels this way but I'm surprised that some people love it so much.

I think I might start thinking more about composition and see if the zoom is making me lazy.
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Zoom with your feet :) thought I don't advise climbing a tree with your 24-105. You could break more than just the lens! :)
 
I dont use zooms, but if I did I would think of the zoom as 3 prime lenses, a 28mm, a 50 and a 100mm
I have and use those 3 prime lenses, so I know how to frame with them, having the zoom just means I don't have to switch lenses- but I would preselect my desired focal length before going in for the shot
f4 would be too slow for me though- 2.8 minimum except on real wide angle lenses
 
mrjames said:
I dont use zooms, but if I did I would think of the zoom as 3 prime lenses, a 28mm, a 50 and a 100mm
I have and use those 3 prime lenses, so I know how to frame with them, having the zoom just means I don't have to switch lenses- but I would preselect my desired focal length before going in for the shot
f4 would be too slow for me though- 2.8 minimum except on real wide angle lenses
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That's a fantastic idea... The more I think about it the more I like it.

See a shot. Decide a focal length. Make it work. No more, see something, zoom till it fits, take picture.
 
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