Which zoom lens/lenses (24-105, 24-240, 70-200 etc)?

LennyLevino wrote:

Ok, so the 24-240 is considerably better in terms of IQ vs the 24-105, in the focal range 24-105?

I don't own the 24-240 so take that into consideration, but other than at 24mm I think the 24-105 4-7.1is just as good. The 24-105 suffers a bit at 24 but improves by 28 and from 35-105 is a very sharp lens. Now consider it costs less than the 24-240 and weighs considerably less. Neither lens is great at 24mm in the corners/edges (but likely for most uses both will suffice) so you have to decide if you want the extra weight and cost of the 24-240 to get a small improvement at 24mm.

So I'd be better off with a 24-240, and then adding a 100-400 on top of it down the line if I want more reach and/or better IQ at the telephoto lengths?

Lets say I could only use my 24-240 in the range of 24-105 (since I would hypothetically own the 100-400mm as well), the IQ would still be that much better that it would justify the extra cost and size/weight over the 24-105?

The 100-400mm sounds very good indeed. I guess I should pick this up regardless.

100-400 is a great lens. If you are going to buy this lens I'd pair it with the 24-105. You'll have a good FL range, good IQ, low cost and weight.

How about this then (a new proposal); RF 24-105mm f/4L + RF 100-400mm? This would be way more expensive than the other kits but do you think it'd be worth it? Or would you rather still have 24-240 + 100-400?

The RF 24-105 4L IS is a definite improvement over the slower version at 24 (and the 24-240 at 24), so if you think you'll shoot a lot there and have no desire for wider FLs the 24-105 4L and 100-400 would also be a good combo, just more expensive and heavier.

Also consider the 15-30 zoom if you might want some wider FLs. I don't have this lens either (have the 14-35) but it is compact, light and inexpensive. I'd venture its better at 24 than either of the zooms mentioned above.

I use my 14-35 in conjunction with the 24-105 4-7.1 using the 14-35 up to 35 and the 24-105 from 35-105 and am very pleased with the results. I also own the RF 24-105 4L IS which is better than the slower 24-105, but over 35mm there isn't much difference so I often take the 14-35 & 24-105 4-7.1 combo to save weight/space. If I think I'll need longer FLs I throw the 100-400 in the bag/pack for that.