Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM: Handling and features

Weighing 950g the 24-70 is quite a weighty lens for its size, especially when compared to third party equivalents. For the extra weight, you get a ruggedly built optic with weather sealing designed for daily professional use. A rubber gasket is located around the lens mount to prevent dust and moisture from getting into the camera.

Standard 77mm filters can be fitted via the front filter thread and focusing is performed internally, so the front element does not rotate, making use of polarising filters simple. The lens does extend during zooming and is at its longest at the 24mm setting. This action is hidden away when the supplied petal shaped hood is fitted, as the front element moves back and forth inside the hood.

Zooming is fairly smooth, requiring little force to move it through the range. There is just enough mechanical friction to prevent zoom creep although the zoom mechanism is looser at the telephoto end than at the wide end. The manual focus ring is well damped, which helps when making fine adjustments.

Thanks to the ultrasonic motor, focusing is quick and virtually silent on the EOS 5D MkII used for testing. The minimum focus distance is 0.29m throughout the range, which is not true macro, but is usefull for frame filling close-ups all the same.

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