Canon ef 24-70mm f/2.8l II Usm

This is as good as it gets for an own-brand Canon standard zoom

The original edition of this lens dates back to 2002 but it was extensively revamped in 2012. The ‘next generation’ optical design with three aspherical elements aims for greater sharpness with reduced distortion, colour fringing and colour blur. The number of diaphragm blades was also increased to nine, enabling a better-rounded aperture when stopping down from f/2.8.

Build quality is better than in the original lens, making the Mark II one of the most robust and extensively weather-sealed zooms in Canon’s history. Fluorine coatings are added to the front and rear elements, to repel moisture and grease, and to ease cleaning.

One thing that’s still lacking from the design of the Mark II is image stabilization. Indeed, it’s the only lens in this entire group of full-frame and APS-C format lenses to lack stabilization. Given that standard zooms are used in everyday handheld shooting, some photographers will consider this a major omission. The Canon is also about 50 per cent more expensive than the latest competing Sigma and Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses, both of which are stabilized.

performance

Sharpness and contrast are excellent, even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8. However, these aspects of image quality are no better than from the relatively new Sigma and Tamron lenses. Similarly, levels of colour fringing and distortion are similar in all three lenses, although the Canon has less pincushion distortion at the long end of the zoom range. It’s a tough lens but not great value.