[Review] EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM In Depth Review

Photography blog reviewed Canon’s new EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM ($850) lens. The review goes over 7 sections and has an investigative eye on all the features and promises of this lens. From the conclusion:

[…] the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM build quality is reassuringly good and it makes a good partner to a full-frame Canon DSLR like the 5D Mark III. Auto-focusing is quiet and quick, with the ability to manually override it and focus manually if required proving a nice touch. The capable image stabilization system used in conjunction with a high-ISO monster like the 5D Mark III is a low-light shooter’s dream ticket, making it easy to hand-hold the camera and get the shot.

Image quality is generally excellent. Chromatic aberrations are very well controlled, geometric distortion is impressively low for an ultrawide lens (unless you are focusing very close), and the Super Spectra coatings successfully prevent contrast loss attributable to flare

EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

[via photography blog]

[In-Stock] Ef 24mm f/2.8 IS USM And EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Ready To Ship (Limited Quantity)

Both the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM ($850, click here) and the EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM ($800, click here) are in stock at B&H. They just arrived and there is only a limited quantity available (for the time being).

EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM core specifications:

  • Image Stabilization Prevents Shaky Pix
  • Fast, Silent Autofocus Operation
  • 7 Diaphragm Blades for Beautiful Bokeh
  • Minimum Focusing Distance of 7.87″
  • Lens Coatings Minimize Ghosting & Flare
  • Manual Focusing Available At All Times

EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM core specifications:

  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Fast Autofocusing
  • Manual Focus Available Full-Time
  • Improved Peripheral Image Quality.
  • 7 Diaphragm Blades for Beautiful Bokeh
  • Silent, Smooth Operation Ideal for Video
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 9″

[Review] EF 24mm f/2.8 USM and EF 28mm f/2.8 USM Shipping And Reviewed

While everyone is talking about the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM ($199, click here), there are two more new prime lens that Canon released this year, the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM ($850, click here) and the EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM ($800, click here). Both lenses are the second iteration, adding Image Stabilization and USM to its features. They replace some rather old, and affordable, lenses, the EF 24mm f/2.8 ($374, click here) and the EF 28mm f/2.8 ($259, click here). These were solid performing, light-weighted and small consumer-grade lenses. The new iterations are considerably more expensive, having a price tag of approximately $850 (24mm) and $800 (28mm). Besides having IS and USM, the new lenses have seven curved aperture blades (compared to five in the previous 28mm and six in the 24mm). So, how do this two, little commented (why?) lens perform? Roger Cicala at lensrentals.com wanted to find it out. Imatest was used. The results are not earth-shattering (these are not L lenses). Nevertheless, the primes have a good performance, proving that they are well suited for different uses. The IS works fine, and optical performance is good. The downside is probably the fact that the price raised by 200-300%, if compared to their predecessors. While the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM is a no-brainer, you will probably carefully think for what you will need the new 24mm and 28mm. Given the price, these are not lenses most of us will buy just to have them. However, there are various settings where these primes might be the right choice, e.g. night photography (f/2.8 and IS). And don’t forget that on an APS-C body, the 28mm has a normal focus length, becoming a ~44mm.

[Hands-On] EF 24-70 f/2.8L II & EF 24 f/2.8 IS Lenses

This new lenses finally got a quick hands-on review at canonrumors. First impressions are rather good. About the EF 24mm f/2.8L IS:

It’s small, light and feels well built. The AF was fast and it appeared as sharp as any other Canon non-L prime on the surface. This would be a great prime to walk around with on a small body. A mirrorless with an EF adaptor?

About the 24-70mm f/2.8L II:

The new lens feels quite solid in your hand. Though I didn’t find it felt that much lighter, even though it technically is. If I had a version 1 beside it, along with its massive hood, I think I’d probably notice the weight difference then.

The zoom ring is quite smooth, and the lens now extends in telephoto and not at 24mm like the current version.

I tried it out on the 5D Mark III and found the autofocus to be silent and nearly instant to acquire initial focus.

Both lenses are available for pre-order:

EF 24mm f/2.8 IS for $849.99:

EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II for 2,299:

[via CR_1, CR_2]