canon 24-70 f4 or 24-105 f4?

[landwomble]

Hi all.
Working up to buying a Canon 6d to replace my stolen 650d and 17-55 f2.8.
Noticed today that what I'd always considered the classic kit lens, the 24-105 f4 is now being sold with the 24-70 f4.
Anyone used both? Believe on paper the latter is a bit sharper but I think I'd really miss the reach of the first. I do a lot of gig photography and the 70 sounds a bit short - the most used shots on my crop sensor 650d were at around 55mm.

I'm going to be overstretching myself a bit financially buying this so am not going to be able to buy a tele in the near future.

Thoughts?

 

[dinners]

Believe on paper the latter is a bit sharper but I think I'd really miss the reach of the first.

I've used both but of these two I only have the 24-105

You mention sharpness - a few reviews say that they out perform each other depending on what focal length they're comparing.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=3

I think the IS is a stop better on the 24-70 and distortion less at 24mm

It boils down to that extra 35mm of reach I guess.

 

[landwomble]

Yeah. To be honest I'm leaning towards the 105. I know I can crop my way towards similar reach but I find most of my stuff is at the longer end of my 17-55 on a crop which is about 88mm ff equivalent...

Anyone know if the 105 is getting phased out as a kit lens as the Canon guy in Jessops said?
I wasn't quite ready to pull the trigger but if the bundle is going away I'd be tempted. Hdew have it at the moment...

 

[CaveDweller]

What about the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8? probably within price range and it's a brilliant lens. Compared to the Canon 24-70 f/2.8, the Tamron isn't as sharp in the corners (wide open), but it's so minimal you can't really tell unless you pixel peep.

 

[dinners]

The 24-70 has a reputation for being better than the 24-105 at the shorter end but the 24-105 then gets the nod from around 40mm and longer.

I tend to use 16-35 and then switch to 24-105 when I'm needing longer than 35 so don't really use the shorter end of the 24-105.

The biggest attraction of the lens for me is the 70-105 range as it's really handy if I'm just taking one lens out for a walk. It also takes me up to 100mm where my lext lens starts.

 

[Orville]

Not owned the Canon 24-70 f/4 but the Tamron 24-70 F/2.8 VC knocks the spots off of the 24-105L I got as part of my 6D kit.

I wouldn't replace the Tamron for any other sub £1k Canon mount walkabout zoom.

Edit: The 24-105 does offer spectacular range and build quality for the money, and is a great kit lens. They can be had new for under £500 (import) and will hold their value much better than any 3rd party lenses. My opinion is that the Tamron is the better lens, but the 24-105 is better value if you think you may sell it on later. The Canon is a very well proven and durable lens, although a little limited optically.