Photo: John Torcasio (CC BY-SA 3.0)
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
- 24-70mm
- f/2.8
- Zoom
- 805 g
- Min focus 0.38 m
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Quick answer
The second generation of Canon's pro standard zoom, with a constant f/2.8 aperture and weather sealing for demanding full-frame work.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8
- Sharp across the zoom range
- Weather-sealed
- Wide-to-short-tele range
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Heavy (about 800 g)
- Large 82mm filter thread
Verdict
A pro workhorse. The lack of IS is its main compromise.
About this lens
This 24-70mm f/2.8 fast standard zoom lens from Canon fits Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A professional standard zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture, a workhorse for weddings, events and reportage.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 24-70mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.8
- Lens type
- Zoom
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2012
- Optical construction
- 18 elements in 13 groups
- Aperture blades
- 9
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.38 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.21x
- Filter thread
- 82 mm
- Weight
- 805 g
- Length
- 113 mm
- Diameter
- 88.5 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM?
- Weddings and events
- Photojournalism
- Portraits
- Studio work
Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 24–70mm | 28.8–73.7° | 34.3–84.1° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 38–112mm | 18.3–50.2° | 21.9–58.8° |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II have image stabilization?
No. Canon left IS out of this version, so handheld shots in dim light need a faster shutter speed. The RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L later added stabilization.
What filter size does the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II use?
It takes 82mm filters, larger than the 77mm of the original version, so filters from the first model will not fit directly.
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II vs f/4L IS: which one?
The f/2.8 is faster. The f/4L IS is lighter, stabilized and has a macro mode.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
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