Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

We got this lens as our primary lense for our EOS Rebel T1i and just love it. While it's not inexpensive by any means, it's highly flexible and exemplefies the depth of field capability and range you want in a general lens. It's not small, but it's just short enough not to interfere with the flash when used without its lens hood.

If you get just one lens for your camera, pick this one.

Check out some of the tests that people have done on these two lenses. Do a search on "24-70 18-55 canon". I bought the 24-70 and expected to see an obvious difference in quality... there isn't any (this was very disappointing to me). I was surprised to see that in many cases that the kit lens pictures were actually better. On sharpness, the 18-55 had the edge in my controlled tests using same aperture, tripod and remote shutter release etc. I was very excited to get this lens, I checked on its arrival date about 10 times while it was in the mail to me. But I run a procurement department for a Fortune 100 firm, so by nature I am coldly analytical. Simply put, the tests on the 24-70 just don't show anything close to a $1200 difference. This is confirmed by tests that others have done. I am sending it back and will use my 18-55 for a walkaround lens and my Canon f1.4 50mm ($400) for those special pictures with a beautiful bokeh and/or low light shooting capability (which on both counts the f1.4 is far superior to the 24-70). Other things I noticed as I worked with the 24-70 is that for a cropped body like my XSI, it is not too long on wide angle as some others had complained. However with my f1.4 50mm though this can be an issue. As for professional photographers, I understand why they use it: the 24-70mm handles most types of shots for a wedding so no lens changes which means no lost picture opportunities in a fast moving wedding (this is very important to them, and rightfully so!), it provides a nice bokeh at f2.8, and it can shoot without a flash in some, but not nearly all, lower light situations. So for me the trade-offs are some lens changes and some difficulty with the 50mm being too long on some shots due to the cropped body. But on the plus side, I will get as sharp or even sharper pictures using the combination of lens (18-55mm and the f1.4 50mm), and with the f1.4, far better low light shooting and the best bokeh available. Don't be a lemming and buy this because it is an L lens and therefore expected to be far superior. Also don't take seriously those who haven't done a true comparison between the two lenses as they are working off of assumptions not facts. I also don't think that I have a "bad copy" as no one has posted a valid test with results that clearly shows how superior the 24-70 is. It seems unlikely that only those who have "bad copies" are the ones doing tests. Lastly, know that your 18-55 is a truly great lens.

Beautiful glass, if you are used to a small prime this can seem heavy if you aren't used to it, but it is a small price to pay for the quality and flexibility of this. Comes with good lens hood but an ugly cheapo bag which is my only minor complaint. Add a 77mm uv and you're set. Don't expect this to work with the flash on your body if you have it, it will block the lower third of the light, so you'll need a decent external.

I use this lense on my Canon 5D and it is spectacular. I have used it for weddings and parties. Not a single complaint.

It's hard to believe everything they say about the quality and performance of Canon L series lenses, however, once you have tried one of this caliber it's hard to go back to anything else. This glass lives up to all of those expectations and really spoils you. The image quality, color, contrast and image depth are stunning. I use this for portraiture and also for photographing my oil paintings. Technically, you shouldn't use a lens like this to shoot paintings because it shouldn't be able to take pictures as sharp as a prime---however---the sharpness is simply amazing. As for weight it's not a problem---the 2.8 is worth it. Built tough. I highly recommend this lens!