At a glance:

• EF-Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/4 to 22
• Four GMo Aspherical Elements
• Air Sphere Coating
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Internal Focus; Full-Time MF Override
• Zoom Lock Switch; Fluorine Coating
• Dust- and Water-Resistant Construction
• Rounded 10-Blade Diaphragm

After LensRentals’ not so exciting MTF figures on the new Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II, we have another review by lens reviewing authority Photozone, which also doesn’t really praise this lens.

While Photozone confirms the good build quality of this “L” grade lens, they are pretty disappointed by the overall performance. From the conclusion:

Let’s be honest – the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS (mk I) was not the greatest lens Canon ever produced. Unfortunately neither is the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS II. While there are differences on detail level, the performance is roughly similar which is a little depressing given all the years that passed by since the mk I was designed. 50 megapixels are a torture ground for all lenses but it’s too much for the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS II really. The center quality is sufficient but the corner quality just isn’t there at the extreme ends. The amount of CAs is acceptable. The lens performs, of course, much better on 21 megapixel cameras with very decent results from f/5.6 at least. However, you have to live with the outlook that the glory ends once you decide to upgrade you camera. […] The quality of the bokeh is comparatively decent for a standard zoom lens at least. Read the review…

In other words: there are no improvements over the predecessor, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS, which at least has a street price of $623, compared to the $1,099 of the new EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II (the price is likely to go down in the next months). Photozone clearly states they “would recommend to skip this lens”.

Price check:

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

• EF-Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/4 to 22
• Four GMo Aspherical Elements
• Air Sphere Coating
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Internal Focus; Full-Time MF Override
• Zoom Lock Switch; Fluorine Coating
• Dust- and Water-Resistant Construction
• Rounded 10-Blade Diaphragm

LensRentals posted their MTF lab test results for the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II, and while they stress that they made only a MTF test and not a real world test, the figures for the new EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II are not so much superior to the figures of the lens it replaces, the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS. In the conclusion, Roger Cicala writes:

[…] on the basis of MTF, the 24-105 f/4 IS II is a decent lens, but not a spectacular upgrade. Would I upgrade my old 24-105 f/4 IS? Nope. If I was in the market would I buy one? Well, I’d wait for the price to come down or for it to be available as a kit lens with a new camera. One other thing to consider is that the new 24-105mm is significantly larger than the original version, and for some people, that’s going to be a negative for a walk-around lens. Read the review…

The new EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II sells for $1,099, the previous version is yours for $623.

At a glance:

• EF-Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/4 to 22
• Four GMo Aspherical Elements
• Air Sphere Coating
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Internal Focus; Full-Time MF Override
• Zoom Lock Switch; Fluorine Coating
• Dust- and Water-Resistant Construction
• Rounded 10-Blade Diaphragm

Photography Blog published their exhaustive review of the new Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II lens. They found that the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II is “much better” than the lens it replacers, the highly popular Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS.

In the conclusion they write:

[the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II] offers a very versatile focal range whilst being tack-sharp from 24mm to 50mm, both in the centre and at the edges of the frame. Sharpness at 70-105mm isn’t quite as good when shooting wide-open at f/4, but overall the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM delivers excellent sharpness across the frame. Vignetting at wide-open apertures and some barrel distortion at 24mm are the only other real optical issues of note.

Build quality is excellent, certainly up to the usual L-lens standard, and Canon also provide a very good lens hood and padded case. Focusing was very quick and quiet on the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV that we tested the lens with, and manual focus over-ride at any time is a great feature, as is the effective built-in optical image stabilisation system, now worth up to 4 stops rather than the 2.5 stops that the previous model offered. Read the review…

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II is expected to ship in the next weeks. Pre-order it at B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA