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24mm wider on 24-105 than 24-70

Started Jun 5, 2014 | Discussions
Colinbrowne New Member • Posts: 4
24mm wider on 24-105 than 24-70

I just got myself a second hand 24-70 f/2.8L, I already own a 24-105 f/4L. On doing some tests and comparisons I found that 24mm on the 24-70 isn't quite as wide as the 24mm on the 24-105, even though the metadata is showing 24mm on both lenses. They are about 3 or 4mm off from each other.

Has anyone else noticed this or could shed some light on how this is possible?

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Peter Kwok
Peter Kwok Senior Member • Posts: 2,635
Re: 24mm wider on 24-105 than 24-70
1

All zoom lens are longer than their stated focal length at the wide end and shorter than their stated focal length at the tele end. 5% off is considered acceptable. Everyone cheats on this.

I think the 24-105 has more barrel distortion that pulls in the corners, making its diagonal field of view wilder.

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Abu Mahendra Veteran Member • Posts: 5,312
Re: 24mm wider on 24-105 than 24-70

Nominal is very frequently different than real. Simple as that.

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BozillaNZ Regular Member • Posts: 346
Re: 24mm wider on 24-105 than 24-70

Besides above explanations, you also have to take the length of the lenses into consideration. 24-70 is at it's longest when in 24mm but 24-105 is at its shortest. This has the effect of stepping back a bit when using the latter, which also expands it's view

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Just another Canon shooter
Just another Canon shooter Veteran Member • Posts: 4,691
Re: 24mm wider on 24-105 than 24-70

Make sure that you focus near infinity in your tests. Why don't you post some examples?

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Rick Knepper
Rick Knepper Forum Pro • Posts: 17,870
Compare useable to useable

Colinbrowne wrote:

I just got myself a second hand 24-70 f/2.8L, I already own a 24-105 f/4L. On doing some tests and comparisons I found that 24mm on the 24-70 isn't quite as wide as the 24mm on the 24-105, even though the metadata is showing 24mm on both lenses. They are about 3 or 4mm off from each other.

Has anyone else noticed this or could shed some light on how this is possible?

You might find the 24-70 wider.

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