Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon · EF

EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM

Released 2005

A full-frame EF standard zoom covering 24–105 mm with a constant f/4 aperture, optical stabilisation and full-time manual focusing.

Mount
Canon EF
Focal length
24–105 mm
Max aperture
f/4
Stabilisation
Yes
Weight
670 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praise construction, quick quiet autofocus and the useful stabilised zoom range, while noting wide-angle distortion and shading. The Digital Picture finds sharpness strong even wide open and recommends it as a versatile single lens. Photozone is more qualified, finding soft borders around 70 mm at f/4 and substantial full-frame shading at 24 mm.

From the-digital-picture.com, photozone.de and photozone.de

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
24–105 mm
Maximum aperture
f/4
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Eighteen elements in thirteen groups
Special elements
Three aspherical elements, comprising two replica and one glass-moulded element, plus one Super UD element
Diaphragm
Eight blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° vertical

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon EF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors
Teleconverter support
Canon's manual excludes EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders
Adaptor support
EF12 II extension tube gives 0.60–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.40–0.12× at 105 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 24 mm and gives 0.61–0.27× at 105 mm

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Maximum magnification
0.23×
Optical stabilisation
Yes
Autofocus detail
Ring USM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AF
Focus distance detail
Internal focusing without front-element rotation according to The Digital Picture
Stabilisation detail
Canon claims stabilisation equivalent to a shutter speed three stops faster. The manual cautions that stabilisation may be less effective when panning and cannot compensate for subject movement

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
77 mm
Maximum diameter
83.5 mm
Length
107 mm
Weight
670 g
Controls
Separate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF and stabilisation switches, distance window and infrared focus index
Zoom design
Extending barrel with rotary zoom control according to both reviews
Weather resistance
Canon's manual describes a sealed structure and rubber mount ring for dust and drip resistance. The Digital Picture recommends a protective filter to complete protection
Dimensions detail
Maximum diameter × length; size and 670 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 21.5 mm to length according to Canon's manual
Lens hood
EW-83H petal hood, reversible for storage
In the box
Lens, EW-83H hood and soft pouch according to The Digital Picture
Release detail
Canon Camera Museum's exact-model table records October 2005 marketing. Its later EF 24–105mm IS STM page retrospectively describes this lens as released in September 2005; no first-sale day or explanation for the month difference is given

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Constant f/4 maximum aperture
  • Optical image stabilisation
  • Wide-angle to short-telephoto range

Cons

  • 670 g lens-only weight
  • Extends when zooming

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Canon EF24–105 mmf/4Yes795 g2016
Canon EF24–70 mmf/4Yes600 gDec 2012
Canon EF24–105 mmf/3.5–5.6Yes525 gDec 2014

Newer model: EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM.

Sources

  1. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef387.html
  2. media.the-digital-picture.com/Owners-Manuals/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Len…
  3. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef436.html
  4. the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
  5. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/420-canon_24105_4_5d
  6. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/420-canon_24105_4_5d

Photo: global.canon

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