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 [shoplink 230]Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS[/shoplink], 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: [shopcountry 230]

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II: [shopcountry 40057]

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II: [shopcountry 40057]

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 [shoplink 40057]EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II[/shoplink] are not so much superior to the figures of the lens it replaces, the [shoplink 230]EF 24-105mm f/4L IS[/shoplink]. 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.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III: [shopcountry 40054]

At a glance:

• EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 22
• Three Aspherical & Two UD Elements
• Subwavelength & Air Sphere Coatings
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Internal Focus; Full-Time MF Override
• Fluorine Coating on Exposed Elements
• Dust- and Water-Resistant Construction
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

ePhotozine posted their review of the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III. a highly regarded, professional wide-angle lens. In the conclusion they write:

We have weather sealing, outstanding performance, solid construction and a very high price. We lose IS, but that may be more acceptable in wide angle lenses. Really the question is not so much is the lens worth the price, it quite probably is, but whether or not our budget can justify the large margin between it and the alternatives.

If that equation can be satisfied for the individual photographer, then certainly the lens will not disappoint. Read the review…

The reviewers praise the excellent sharpness of the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III, the very good correction  of chromatic aberrations, the absence of flare, the outstanding build quality and the weather sealing. All this goodness comes at a price, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III sells at $2,199.