Could the Canon 24-105 F4 II become the number one wedding lens?

[MichaelVadon]

These 24-105 type lenses are actually perfect for weddings. Weddings can be very fast paced and, as for lighting, the photographers usually set up multiple high powered flashes on lightpoles so its not a problem utilizing F4. In any event, sometimes its best to use F4 than 2.8 because the focus is more assured at the higher F-stop.

The problem with the first version is that it didnt let in enough light. Its an F4 that has a Tstop somewhere above F5 or about a half stop of light. Well, everyone could use that half stop.

From tests on the internet my judgement is the image stabilization is a lot better. That helps especially when on your toes bouncing around without the benefit of a tripod or monopod.

Canon does make the fastest and best focus system for their lenses. The Sigma Art series is a much improved focus system over old Sigma, but still the Canon is best.


So Im waiting for the DXO measurements to come out. Im looking to see what the Tstop really is. I will then rent the lens for a few days and see how it stacks up against my Sigma 24-105. If the image stabilization is really better and they have made it a true F4 lens I suspect the Canon 24-105 II will become the next best wedding lens.

 

[Keith Z Leonard]

These 24-105 type lenses are actually perfect for weddings. Weddings can be very fast paced and, as for lighting, the photographers usually set up multiple high powered flashes on lightpoles so its not a problem utilizing F4. In any event, sometimes its best to use F4 than 2.8 because the focus is more assured at the higher F-stop.

This is how I shoot big events and I can do most everything with the 24-105. I shot a big week of events in central america last year and I just looked at the stats for those and the bulk of shots were with the 24-105, with some ultra wide stuff and the 135L in there as well. Most of the time I was shooting the 24-105 at f5.6.

The problem with the first version is that it didnt let in enough light. Its an F4 that has a Tstop somewhere above F5 or about a half stop of light. Well, everyone could use that half stop.

True enough, and f2.8 would be great too like the 24-70 f2.8, though it'd be challenging to produce and rather massive. Thing is that a lot of the time you don't even want razor thin DOF, but the better T-stop would be a help. I found the mk II to be about 1/3 of a stop brighter T-stop in my head to head tests, if that info helps.

From tests on the internet my judgement is the image stabilization is a lot better. That helps especially when on your toes bouncing around without the benefit of a tripod or monopod.

I honestly didn't notice a huge improvement here, maybe copy variation, maybe photographer variation, I suspect it's better by a stop or so.

Canon does make the fastest and best focus system for their lenses. The Sigma Art series is a much improved focus system over old Sigma, but still the Canon is best.

True, Sigma isn't bad, but the Canons are better. I don't think that's necessarily a deal breaker for Sigmas though.

So Im waiting for the DXO measurements to come out. Im looking to see what the Tstop really is. I will then rent the lens for a few days and see how it stacks up against my Sigma 24-105. If the image stabilization is really better and they have made it a true F4 lens I suspect the Canon 24-105 II will become the next best wedding lens.

People will give you a hard time about this, because if you don't use a 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 IS II you are evil these days. A lot of wedding have been shot with 35/85 primes on two bodies, it's all variable. Most of these events end up shots for albums and news print though, so even if a lens is slightly less razor sharp it's not a deal breaker. I've never had a complaint that my lens scored worse on DXOMark from any image. Still, I find the 24-105 f4 II to be a bit of a disappointment.

 

[loitokitok]

These 24-105 type lenses are actually perfect for weddings. Weddings can be very fast paced and, as for lighting, the photographers usually set up multiple high powered flashes on lightpoles so its not a problem utilizing F4. In any event, sometimes its best to use F4 than 2.8 because the focus is more assured at the higher F-stop.

The problem with the first version is that it didnt let in enough light. Its an F4 that has a Tstop somewhere above F5 or about a half stop of light. Well, everyone could use that half stop.

From tests on the internet my judgement is the image stabilization is a lot better. That helps especially when on your toes bouncing around without the benefit of a tripod or monopod.

Canon does make the fastest and best focus system for their lenses. The Sigma Art series is a much improved focus system over old Sigma, but still the Canon is best.

So Im waiting for the DXO measurements to come out. Im looking to see what the Tstop really is. I will then rent the lens for a few days and see how it stacks up against my Sigma 24-105. If the image stabilization is really better and they have made it a true F4 lens I suspect the Canon 24-105 II will become the next best wedding lens.

I think you'll find that the 24-105 range is already the most popular choice for professional use in weddings / events / presentations and I'm sure the EF 24-105 II will only add to that popularity.

Of course a slightly improved light transmission may make a slight difference (perhaps, to those few that even notice such things) but as you say since a large number of these events are shot with flash, usually with relatively small apertures to try and get as many people in focus as possible, so even that T Stop advantage is not going to make much difference really.

 

[hotdog321]

While the initial feedback on the new 24-105 f/4 IS II is disappointing, I know pros that use the old 24-105 even for high-end corporate work, so I imagine the new lens will be more than satisfactory.

Personally, I own and love the 24-70 f/2.8L II for its sharpness and resistance to flare, but I'd be the first to confess that I would like truly sharp 24-105mm with IS. That said, the 24-70 f/2.8L II works great for parties, galas and whatnot.