Which Canon lens for Europe vacation
May 2, 2019 10:43:54 #
I’m looking for feedback from those who have used either or both of these lenses:
Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II (Pros: f/2.8; Cons: no image stabilization, shorter zoom)
Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L IS II (Pros: longer zoom, image stabilization; cons: f/4)
I’m traveling to Barcelona in a couple weeks and want to take one lens. I will be shooting mostly architecture, scenery, people. I have a Canon 5d mk iv and several primes. For convenience, I want to take a zoom and have narrowed my choice to these two lenses. Both lenses get great reviews for travel, but each has pros and cons. I’m hoping someone with experience with either of these lenses can tell me which pros are a must and which cons would be a deal killer. In other words, is the longer focal length of the 24-105 worth giving up the wider aperture? Is the wider aperture of the 24-70 worth giving up a bit of focal length and image stabilization?
Thanks in advance!
Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II (Pros: f/2.8; Cons: no image stabilization, shorter zoom)
Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L IS II (Pros: longer zoom, image stabilization; cons: f/4)
I’m traveling to Barcelona in a couple weeks and want to take one lens. I will be shooting mostly architecture, scenery, people. I have a Canon 5d mk iv and several primes. For convenience, I want to take a zoom and have narrowed my choice to these two lenses. Both lenses get great reviews for travel, but each has pros and cons. I’m hoping someone with experience with either of these lenses can tell me which pros are a must and which cons would be a deal killer. In other words, is the longer focal length of the 24-105 worth giving up the wider aperture? Is the wider aperture of the 24-70 worth giving up a bit of focal length and image stabilization?
Thanks in advance!
May 2, 2019 10:51:29 #
I'd take the 24-70, for the f/2.8 and the glory of the evenings and inside the churches. Use the ISO management of the 5DIV if you need a faster shutter without the IS. The same can be said for the 24-105, use the IS to allow for slow lowlight shutters. Both are great lenses, I prefer the unique and exceptional look of the 24-70 II if I had to pick one or the other.
May 2, 2019 11:00:41 #
smlek
Loc: Chicago, IL
How is a heavy 24-70 2.8 more convenient than say a 28mm prime? I would think for architecture you want something fairly wide and fast in case you go out at night.
May 2, 2019 11:18:02 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
The last few times I went to Europe I carried a full frame camera (5D IV) a Canon wide angle(17-40mm) and a Tamron 28-300. In a small National Geographic Bag. Extra batteries (2) Extra Cards (several) all in the same bag. I down loaded each night into my laptop and Compact External Hard Drive.
May 2, 2019 11:23:47 #
If you are only taking ONE lens, I agree with CHG_CANON.
If "I" was going, I would take a 50 (or 28 - they're small) and the 24-105/IS lens.
If "I" was going, I would take a 50 (or 28 - they're small) and the 24-105/IS lens.
May 2, 2019 11:32:21 #
You state that you will be shooting architecture but also people and scenery so I would go for the extra reach of the 24-105 if you only want to take one lens. The 24-70 f/2.8 is an excellent lens optically, but so is the MkII version of the 24-105. When you pair it with it's stabilization along with the low light capabilities of the 5DIV I don't think you will miss the larger aperture as much as you would the longer reach.
I am sure there are places where you can do some interior/low light shots with both lenses for comparison before you go. The 24-105 and 5DIV combo might give you everything you need.
I am sure there are places where you can do some interior/low light shots with both lenses for comparison before you go. The 24-105 and 5DIV combo might give you everything you need.
May 2, 2019 11:48:13 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
I thought there might be a weight advantage to using the 24-105mm... but after looking them up, I see those two lenses are within 10 grams of each other (equal to three paper clips). According to the specs, each lens weighs in at 1.8 lb.
I have 24-70mm and I feel it comes up short a lot of the time on full frame, especially for candid portraiture (I actually use it more on APS-C cameras, for that reason).
If it were me, I'd probably take the 24-105mm.
I wasn't clear reading your post, if you were planning to take one or two primes too. If so, those play a big role in your decision. For example, I've traveled with 24-70mm and full frame when I was also carrying a 135mm f/2 prime (along with a 20mm f/2.8, a 300mm f/4 and a 1.4X TC to use with the 135mm and 300mm). OTOH, if you have a fast, shorter focal length such as 50mm f/1.4 or 28mm f/1.8 in your bag, the f/4 of the 24-105mm might not be any problem. You could switch to the faster prime(s) for any low light uses.
I have 24-70mm and I feel it comes up short a lot of the time on full frame, especially for candid portraiture (I actually use it more on APS-C cameras, for that reason).
If it were me, I'd probably take the 24-105mm.
I wasn't clear reading your post, if you were planning to take one or two primes too. If so, those play a big role in your decision. For example, I've traveled with 24-70mm and full frame when I was also carrying a 135mm f/2 prime (along with a 20mm f/2.8, a 300mm f/4 and a 1.4X TC to use with the 135mm and 300mm). OTOH, if you have a fast, shorter focal length such as 50mm f/1.4 or 28mm f/1.8 in your bag, the f/4 of the 24-105mm might not be any problem. You could switch to the faster prime(s) for any low light uses.
May 2, 2019 12:33:53 #
Sometimes, when you have several lenses, taking just one reminds you why you have and "love" that lens, particularly a prime. Having been to Barcelona several times, the 24-70 II would be my preference, but I'd be just as happy with the 35L knowing I'd be prepared for everything I love about Barcelona. I'd just use my eyes and internal memories for anything else I couldn't capture at 35mm. I could plug-in lenses at 24 or 50 for the 35 and be equally happy, somewhat why I see the 24-70 as the best suggestion, if one has this lens already for a 1-lens trip.
May 2, 2019 12:34:51 #
Desertsun wrote:
I’m looking for feedback from those who have used ... (show quote)
The 24-105 is certainly the more convenient of the two, that let's you cover a lot more, because of the focal range, if I would have to decide between the two, that is the one I would take (I of course would never just take just one lens)!
May 2, 2019 13:41:01 #
If you know what you are doing then it's really a no brainer, the 24-105 is the more versatile of the two lenses, even with a max aperture of f/4. Sure the 24-70 is faster but ask yourself, why did I buy an expensive sophisticated camera body? The 5D mk IV is capable of capturing high quality images well above ISO 200. Take the 24-105 and enjoy your trip and don't be afraid to crank up the ISO when needed.
May 2, 2019 14:49:16 #
Desertsun wrote:
I’m looking for feedback from those who have used ... (show quote)
By all means, take the 24-70. Urban Europe dies not have anywhere near the scale you are used to. Streets are narrow and twisting and you can hardly get an entire building in the frame unless you are across an intersection. Plus, the2.8 is great for interior shots.
May 2, 2019 17:12:26 #
Desertsun wrote:
I’m looking for feedback from those who have used ... (show quote)
Normally, I would suggest 'fast and wide' for Europe. However the Sagrada Familia will be your biggest 'must see' in Barcelona -(worth all of the hype). You will be glad to have the extra reach to capture some of the amazing Architectural details there and the many other Gaudi buildings. In fact, if you have even a pocket camera with a long/super zoom, bring it. The extra aperture of your f2.8 won't be much of an improvement over f4.0 without the IS.
I'm going to Spain (Madrid/Cordoba/Granada/Toledo) next week. I was planning on just bringing my 24-105mm f4.0. However, my long awaited Sony 24mm F1.4 GM arrived last week so I booked night tours of Al Hambra and the Mezquita to give it a good try-out.
May 2, 2019 17:35:23 #
jdubu
Loc: San Jose, CA
My last trip to Europe in 2018 involved architecture in Paris and the countryside outside Toulouse. I packed and carried a Canon 5DIII, a 16-35LII 2.8 and the 24-105LII. I also brought a 7DII and the 50mm 1.4.
I used the 2 L lenses and the FF camera for a month. I had the 7D as backup, but rarely used it and never used the 50mm. The 16-35 was perfect for church interiors and the f4 on the 24-105 was never a problem for shooting streets and gardens for DOF. I rarely needed longer than 105, and when I did, I used the 24-105 on the crop camera.
In most instances inside, I hand held the 16-35 and bracketed for PSS layering or HDR PP when I got home. If you plan on only one lens, I woud go with the f4, if you have the ability to PP the inherent noise in a slower lens. To my mind, the 24mm wide end is not really wide enough for your trip. Both of these were @16mm, f2.8
I used the 2 L lenses and the FF camera for a month. I had the 7D as backup, but rarely used it and never used the 50mm. The 16-35 was perfect for church interiors and the f4 on the 24-105 was never a problem for shooting streets and gardens for DOF. I rarely needed longer than 105, and when I did, I used the 24-105 on the crop camera.
In most instances inside, I hand held the 16-35 and bracketed for PSS layering or HDR PP when I got home. If you plan on only one lens, I woud go with the f4, if you have the ability to PP the inherent noise in a slower lens. To my mind, the 24mm wide end is not really wide enough for your trip. Both of these were @16mm, f2.8
May 2, 2019 18:24:46 #
Both are beautiful but the second one is a show stopper. I would love to download them to see the shots a bit larger.
May 3, 2019 06:33:00 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Desertsun wrote:
I’m looking for feedback from those who have used ... (show quote)
Your taking TOO much. I only use my trusty Sony HX90V on vacations. It has a 24-750 mm Zeiss lens, and a pop up viewfinder. I keep it in a belt pouch for hands free vacations. THE ONLY WAY TO TRAVEL. Travel right, travel lite. Picture below was shot on the Rhine River trip last year.
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