dan r wilson Loc: Marquette,MI da UP eh, Gods country

I don't have a lot of extra money to spend after purchasing a full frame camera. I'm thinking of a used canon 24 to 70 2.8 1. Is the newer version that much better than the old version?

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Google DXO Mark lens in-depth comparison tool - will let you compare stats for lenses side by side.

Wendy2 Loc: California

I have the older version and it is one of my favorite lenses. Sharp, great color. I have never tried the newer one however.

Consider looking for a used on on Adorama.com B & H or KEH.com

All 3 companies are trust worthy and they rate the equipment and price accordingly.

FramerMCB Loc: Northern, ID (formerly Portland, OR area)

I would keep an eye on the CanonUsa.com website store and look under Refurbished lenses. They have been factory checked/recalibrated/cleaned etc and come with Canon's standard 1-year warranty. They have some pretty good pricing too.

dan r wilson Loc: Marquette,MI da UP eh, Gods country

I usually buy used or refurbished from Adorama. I was hoping to talk to someone that has used both versions. I believe the two version may be better, but how much better and worth the extra money?? Trying to find a used version of the two is next to impossible. And then there's that damn Tamron to throw into the mix! lol

Wendy2 Loc: California

Doesn't the newer version have IS? That will make it a lot heavier. I find it is heavy enough ;)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Dan -

I forget what kind of camera you're using. Or, were you trying to decide between the 5DIII and the 6D? I mention because the 5DIII includes the ability to download and install lens profiles for most of the EF line up except for the very oldest early 90s models. The 24-70 2.8 II is widely considered Canon's greatest mid range zoom ever. Rockwell is very complimentary although his review starts with being prepared to be disappointed. The Digital Picture has a review of both the v I and v II. Depending on the lens, the profile added to the 5DIII results in some older lenses shooting better now than they did on the past.

I own the EF 28-70 f/2.8L that was the predecessor to the 24-70 I. This is one of my favorite lenses although it took me three used copies to find the best. It seems there was more variability between a good copy and not so go in the past than how Canon builds lenses now in 2015. If money is no option, I'd go with the 24-70 II and not look back. If money is an issue, I'd consider the 24-70 vI which set the standard for 24-70 until replaced by the vII. I'd also look at downloading a profile to my body if this feature is supported. I'd price my options looking at EX or EX+ rated copies at KEH.com.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

the F/4 Canon model has IS. The f/2.8 models do not.

dan r wilson Loc: Marquette,MI da UP eh, Gods country

Tamron is the only lens with IS or vc in that size. That will be on the next Canon version I believe. A lot of people were mad when Canon released this one without it. It came out at the same time Tamron did with their stabilization included.

Wendy2 Loc: California

I knew one of them had IS!! Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

regarding the 5DIII and lens profiles, copied from the Digital Picture

Also available to 5D III RAW files via the latest off DPP is a new feature called the Digital Lens Optimizer. When a compatible lens is used (initially, 29 are compatible), the following lens corrections will be made to an image: spherical aberration, astigmatism, sagittal halo, curvature of field, chromatic aberration (both kinds), diffraction and the effects of a low pass filter on an image.

full text of review: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-DSLR-Camera-Review.aspx I was loading some this weekend for a new lens in my bag and there's now more than 29 as well as profiles for the various combinations of the 1.4x and 2x extenders with related primes and zooms. I don't see this feature listed for the 6D (although I might not have looked close enough).

EDIT

I checked the 6D manual. This body supports the download and install of profiles as well.

dan r wilson Loc: Marquette,MI da UP eh, Gods country

Thanks, money is of concern that's why am trying to figure out how to get the most bang for my buck. I also read the Ken Rockwell review, and I think the 1 version may be and good option. Still haven't decided which camera to get either.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

What full frame did you get? I'm guessing a 5DIII or a 6D. Both have very good low light performance. You may not need a 2.8 lens with the extra cost and weight. The 24-70 f/4 is an excellent lens which has received even higher marks for it's optics. Plus it has IS and a macro feature that isn't really macro but is handy for close up work. Mine does an excellent job on my 6D. There is also the 24-105 f/4 which is a very popular and still very good lens for all around use. It's even less expensive. It might be worth your time to decide if you really need that 2.8 lens for your type of shooting.

dan r wilson Loc: Marquette,MI da UP eh, Gods country

I shoot a lot of night photography, very low light situations early mornings, northern lights, seascapes, everything. I'm also at the point where I'm going to start selling my photography, so good equipment is a must I believe in buying the right equipment the first time and not wish in I would have. Also starting to do graduation pictures and a like.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Totally agree with buying the right equipment the first time! If your work requires a fast lens then that pretty much dictates what you should get. Just as a bit of a counterpoint, here are some night shots I did with a f/1.4 lens at f/10. Was experimenting with a different way of shooting and I think the results were quite acceptable:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-334650-1.html
Of course, this works only under certain circumstances, but I found it interesting what could be accomplished with a smaller aperture setting.