Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Maybe before you get to deep into Canon you should look at MU-43/3 system 1/2 weight nearly 1/2 the size and the image quality is awesome! I'm a FF Nikon shooter and for vacations I purchased Olympus let me tell you more and more I'm using the Olympus gear for pro projects and less from Nikon eventually I'll sell all of my Nikon gear and go strictly Mu-43

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If you have that focal range covered, and you're not using it, sell it. Put it on ebay, and you'll have money in a week. Recent sales below.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Canon+EF+24-105+USM&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1&LH_Auction=1

ELNikkor

Sounds like you don't need it, with all those other adequate lenses that weigh less. Since it was a gift, go ahead and sell it. (Don't know your family situation, but maybe you ought to talk to your pro relative who gave it to you and ask his advice, so as not to offend him. He was probably trying to help you get started with a great lens, not considering the weight factor..)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"I mostly shoot nature and travel; occasionally family/dogs"

I am a Nikon shooter but I know very well that the Canon 24-105 L has excellent optics. You did not mention what camera you are using but if you are using a camera where this lens will only use part of the sensor (cropped sensor) my recommendation is to get rid of it. I am saying this because the lens performs at its best with a camera that can project the image it sees in the whole sensor. A simple example will be the use of the 24mm focal length that due to the "digital factor" could not make it wide enough for your needs.

Famous photographer Annie Leibovitz advises her students when they buy a lens to stick to it to know it well and see what it does. The fact that the lens is used so often offers certain advantages to the owner or user and the first one is that it makes the operator aware of which are the focal lengths more often used which is very important when the time comes to buy new lenses.

The 24-105 L lens is not what I would call a lens for nature, if you are referring to wildlife, unless you are shooting with it in the Galapagos, Ecuador. For that you need a lens in the 400mm range but the other subjects you shoot are very well covered.

As I said, a very useful and great lens when using cameras that use the full sensor designated for your lens.

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

Well your Sigma 18-35 1.8 will be great for those landscapes I think. Ditto the Tamron although it will do well for the birds as well. I will not debate whether the IQ with them will equal the 24-105L because that is in the eye of the beholder (your eye is the only one that matters....you are an amateur shooting to please yourself, not a pro shooting to please a client).
Seems to me the primes you use, if the right size for your needs may be best for you due to the light weight with your shoulder issue.

Tom

mcclizam

Thank you, everyone, for the thoughtful answers. I think I'll keep it, on balance, and give it a chance in the right situations.

jrmoore Loc: Iowa

As soon as you sell it, you will find a need for it! Unless you need the cash, keep it.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

After a considerable period of mixed shooting (say a year or 2,000 keepers whichever comes first) take a look at what lengths you are keeping and happy with. Then consider any changes to your lens line up.

Illustration: After one year with my Sigma 150-600 (which is an AWESOME lens) I find I am not shooting a lot in the 500-600 range on the occasions I use that lens and when I am willing to haul it along on trips (where I do much of my shooting). On a trip (which starts tomorrow) I will be taking a 70-200 2.8 and a 2x converter to see how that more compact setup works for me in the range that I find I shoot. If it works, I will trade my 150-600 in for either an upgrade to the 70-200 (currently non IS version) to a EFS 70-200 IS USM II or keep the 70-200 and add a 24-105 to fill a possible gap in my lineup.

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Try it you might like it!

Larry

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Slightly less practical on the aps-c, but a great lens nonetheless.

Selene03

You are probably right for you. The 18-135 is a better all purpose lens for the T5i given what you have written. You know what the limitations are of the 24-105 are for you and your camera. You might be surprised about how much you can get for it if it is almost new.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Seems to me it would be an excellent "walking around" lens and has a great reputation. I would keep it. Our tastes in equipment change from time to time as our skill evolve. Trust me on that.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I have found my 24-105L to be incredibly useful and versatile on my 10D and 7D.
People, landscapes, wildlife etc.
Yes, I have a couple of other lenses I love to and find versatile as well but I would be lost without my 24-105L.

Boris77

Get rid of it, if you feel you can get a fair price for it.
Heavy cameras are on their way out. If you think that you will eventually upgrade with technology, the lens is nothing but an anchor.
Voice of experience, I have over 40 functioning cameras - don't guess how many I use.
Boris

Dossile

In a few years you’ll likely upgrade your camera. A few years later, you’ll upgrade that camera. However, good glass is good glass. Hang on to it. Your shooting style will change over time as you get more experience. Excellent glass becomes much more important as your skills improve.