17-55 or 24-105
 

I have this luxery problem that I don't know which one to choose for an allround lens..
I already have the 10-22, 50 1.8 and the 70-200 4.0.

Thanks for any input,
Siep Dijkstra

The 24-105mm could be used if you ever went to a full frame camera, the 17-55mm would not.

The 24-105mm is also an "L" series lens, probably sharper with superior weather sealing.

Hi Siep,

I just got the 24 - 105 L lens. The build is better, the focus ring is smooth, the zoom is pretty accurate and i think the glass quality is amazing. Plus, the constant F4 aperture helps to give a nice DOF look. Just my 2 cents worth :)

I own the 17-55 and it's quite nice but shot with the 24-105 the other week and think it's a great outdoor all-around lens. F4 can be fast enough for interiors but not always but I think it's the perfect range for an outdoor lens when wider is typically less necessary.

I've owned both lenses and the 17-55 was clearly the better lens for me on my 7D. The 24-105 is not nearly wide enough on a crop camera, I also found the 17-55 to be sharper overall throughout the range, plus I use 2.8 in many situations
Good luck!

I second Mark's observations. I just returned from shooting in Africa for two weeks and the 17-55 was the primary lens that I used.

The only advantage that I see with the 24-105 lens is the longer focal length.

Pick your poison!

Daniel Weber

Sounds like Santa came early...

24-105 is better for Interviews.
 

I have been shooting interviews with the 17-55mm. It is a little short in the tele range. You have to get the camera too close to the person to get a decent close-up. So I just bought the 24-105 as well. Should not be a problem doing interviews with this new lens as it has more range. Most of the time I have enough light for the F4 aperture.

BTW: I love the the 17-55 and plan on using it for Broll or wide shots.

If you *really* want close ups, consider the 100 Macro. :)

The only reason the 17-55 isn't "L" in my opinion is because it's APS-C. If it weren't for that, it's clearly in the class of an L zoom (and I say that as someone who owns a lot of L-glass and who at one point owned the 17-55mm). It's also f2.8 thru the zoom and IS, so that's awesome, and can't be underestimated. When I only had a crop camera, that was my main walk-around lens, it KICKED @SS as far as I'm concerned -- as good as my current 24-70 L (but maybe I just had a good copy). However, I did end up selling it when I moved to full frame despite keeping my cropped body because I just couldn't justify owning a lens that expensive that couldn't be used on everything (including my EOS 3, heh). Anyway, my main point is not being "L" is not relevant for this lens IMHO.

I use the 24-105 when outdoors. Its a little soft at 24mm and CA sometimes develops at 100-105. The IS is pretty good though and everything in between is pretty sharp. Solid lens for sure!

Considering the lenses you already have, it seems to me the 24-105 would be the best choice, or maybe the 24-70 f2.8, since you already have a lens starting at 70mm. I'd take the faster f-stop over the longer range.

Is
 

Agreed, Bill. But that IS system in the 24-105L sure is nice to have if you're shooting handheld stuff.

I keep hearing that a 24-70L with the new hybrid-IS system is coming, but nothing yet.

Yep, that'll be the best lens for interviews if and when it comes - the perfect range on a crop body 7D. I find my otherwise lovely Canon 17-55 F2.8 IS EF-S is sometimes just not long enough and looked hard at the 24-105 initially (but was put off by the F4 aspect).

Look at these charts and adjust the sliders for similar aperture and focal length:

24-105

17-55

It appears to me that the 24-105 doesn't maintain its sharpness past 50mm. I'd rather switch to one of these if I need more reach:

70-200

Just Sent Back The 17-55 F2.8
 

I sent it back not because I did not like it. I did like it very much. I really appreciate Adorama's 14 day return policy.

It is too wide for motion picture interviews. You have to get the camera too close to your subject to be able to zoom close enough for a medium shot.

I bought the highly regarded EF 24-105 F4 L instead. I will miss the wider angle of view but this lens will be better on the tele end and is probably a better walk around lens if you were to carry one lens.

I got a fair amount of moiré at the wide end of the lens. Video on a DSLR does not like fine detail.

Delighted to hear that we were able to help, Alan.

You are always most welcome to contact me directly for any advice or after-sales support.

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
Everything you wanted to know about Adorama Camera........but didn't know who to ask!


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