Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM

Canon · EF

EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM

Released November 2002

A Canon EF full-frame standard zoom with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, ultrasonic autofocus and a dust- and drip-resistant body.

Mount
Canon EF
Focal length
24–70 mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
950 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praise sturdy weather-resistant construction and fast autofocus. ePHOTOzine finds strong overall sharpness and considers it good value, whereas OpticalLimits is less convinced, reporting pronounced wide-angle field curvature, weaker telephoto performance and sample variation. Both identify distortion and improved edges when stopped down; ePHOTOzine also warns about flare when shooting towards strong light.

From ephotozine.com, photozone.de, photozone.de and photozone.de

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
24–70 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
16 elements in 13 groups
Special elements
Two aspherical elements and one UD element
Diaphragm
Eight blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Diagonal 84°–34°; vertical 53°–19°30′; horizontal 74°–29°

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon EF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter support
Canon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders are incompatible

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.38 m
Maximum magnification
0.29×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Ring-type USM (OpticalLimits); manual override after autofocus in One-Shot AF with the shutter button held halfway
Focus distance detail
0.38 m minimum focus throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 70 mm; non-rotating front filter thread (ePHOTOzine and OpticalLimits)
Stabilisation detail
No optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine)

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
77 mm
Maximum diameter
83.2 mm
Length
123.5 mm
Weight
950 g
Controls
Focus mode switch, focus ring, zoom ring, distance scale and infrared index
Zoom design
Reverse zoom mechanism; longest at 24 mm and shortest at 70 mm, with the hood enclosing the moving front section (OpticalLimits)
Weather resistance
Dust- and drip-resistant seal structure; rubber ring around the lens mount
Dimensions detail
83.2 mm maximum diameter × 123.5 mm length; maker dimensions and weight are for the lens alone, excluding caps
Lens hood
EW-83F; can be reversed for storage
In the box
E-77U front cap, rear cap, EW-83F hood and LP1219 lens case (manual accessory names; ePHOTOzine box contents)
Release detail
Canon Camera Museum's original-model table records November 2002; its later Mark II retrospective instead refers to September 2002

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture
  • Full-time manual focus in One-Shot AF
  • Dust- and drip-resistant construction

Cons

  • No optical image stabilisation
  • 950 g lens weight

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Canon EF24–70 mmf/2.8No805 gSept 2012
Canon EF24–105 mmf/4Yes670 g2005
Canon EF16–35 mmf/2.8–600 gDec 2001

Newer model: EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM.

Sources

  1. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef372.html
  2. gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/2/0300003582/01/ef24-70f28lusm-en.pdf
  3. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef424.html
  4. ephotozine.com/article/canon-ef-24-70mm-f-2-8l-usm-lens-review-16111
  5. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/528-canon2470f28ff
  6. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/528-canon2470f28ff
  7. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/528-canon2470f28ff

Photo: global.canon

Spot a mistake? Tell us