Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f.2.8L USM review

Canon’s original EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM was an immediate hit when it was introduced more than ten years ago: such was its fame that it went on to set the standard to which other manufacturers aspired. The 24-70mm version is an update of the 28mm design with an extended close-focusing capability that is marked by a ‘macro’ range on the distance scale. The lens has Canon’s traditional pro-spec feel: it nestles in the hand comfortably so that the rearmost zoom ring and the forward manual-focusing ring are both within easy reach. There is no movement of the focusing ring in AF mode and the front element is similarly static. Nevertheless, the manual-focusing ring can be employed at any time for adjustment if so desired. Automatic focusing is brisk and distortion is virtually non-existent. MTF performance is held above 0.3 cycles per pixel from f/5.6 to f/11 at all focal lengths and only falls below the crucial 0.25 figure when the lens is used wide-open or fully stopped-down. Given that the 0.29x maximum magnification falls a long way short of a 1:1 ratio needed for true macro photography, Canon has been slightly cheeky in specifically designating the closest focusing distances as a ‘macro’ range (with orange markings on the focusing scale).