My Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 died and was all I knew. Opinions on 24-105mm f/4L IS?

jonalisa wrote:

I have a 60D.
(I also have Canon 100mm macro, 50mm 1.8, 10-22 wide angle, 70-200mm f/ 2.8, and 18-55 kit lens.)

I had a 17-85mm f/4-5.6 as my walkaround lens since 2004 and was quite happy with the range.  However, this lens is sadly deceased. I need a new walkaround, all purpose lens.

I am looking to upgrade in quality and am seriously looking at the 24-105mm f/4L IS, but I am not near anyplace where I can get my hands on one physically to try it out. I know there are limitations with low light -but 95% of my shooting is outdoor, still,  daytime landscapes. I am curious to hear about the range on a crop sensor camera such as the 60D. How would it compare to what I am used to?

I am not a professional and was hoping to get some feedback from anyone who has used the 17-85mm and found something as good or better. Or, feedback from anyone currently using the 24-105mm on a 60D or similar.

Any comments on a good quality walkaround lens are welcome. My budget is $1000 or below.

Thanks very much,

jonalisa

I really liked the 17-85 when it came out.  Used it on my Rebel and Rebel XT until I upgraded to a 40D.  At that point I went with a 17-55/2.8 IS.  Had it been available, I'd have gone with the 15-85 IS instead, trading in a bit longer reach for the constant f/2.8.

I almost bought the 24-105 instead of the 17-55 because the 24-105 works on full frame bodies.  My major gripe with the 24-105 is that it doesn't go wide enough on a APS-C sensor to serve as my walk around lens -- I borrowed a friend's 24-105 while renting a 17-55 for a week.  Swapped way too much. So I went with a 17-55 and 70-200/4L IS combination.  To this day, that's my favorite two lens combination on APS-C.

Image quality wise, the 24-105 is right there with the 17-55 at f/4 and above.

If you don't really shoot at the wide end and can live with 24mm, I think the 24-105 is a great choice. I can see pairing it with a 10-22.

Otherwise, I'd go with a 15-85.  The 17-55/2.8 is for those who really want f/2.8 constant and can live with the 55mm end; I think that group is a lot smaller than those who would be happier with the 15-85 or even the 24-105.