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Canon EF 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 USM

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EF 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 USM

  • 24-85mm
  • f/3.5
  • Zoom
  • 380 g
  • Min focus 0.5 m
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Quick answer

A mid-1990s standard zoom with USM, light enough for everyday use. It covers a handy 24mm wide end on full frame.

Pros

  • Wide 24mm start
  • Light at about 380g
  • Ring USM
  • Compact for a standard zoom

Cons

  • Slow aperture
  • Visible distortion at 24mm

Verdict

A modest but useful old kit lens for full frame. Newer 24-105 and 24-70 lenses outperform it.

About this lens

The Canon EF 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 USM is a standard zoom lens covering 24-85mm at f/3.5-4.5 for Canon EF mount cameras, with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. The range covers everything from wide scenes to portraits, so it works as a general-purpose lens.

Canon EF 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 USM specifications

Brand
Canon
Mount
Canon EF
Focal length
24-85mm
Maximum aperture
f/3.5
Lens type
Zoom
Format coverage
full-frame
Released
1996
Optical construction
15 elements in 12 groups
Aperture blades
6
Autofocus motor
USM
Minimum focus distance
0.5 m
Maximum magnification
0.16x
Filter thread
67 mm
Weight
380 g
Length
69.5 mm
Diameter
73 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon EF 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 USM?

  • Travel
  • Everyday full-frame shooting
  • Film EOS bodies

Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.

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 24–85mm 23.9–73.7° 28.6–84.1°
APS-C 1.6x 38–136mm 15.1–50.2° 18.1–58.8°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

Is the Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM full frame?

Yes. It was made for EOS film bodies and covers full-frame digital sensors.

What filter size does the EF 24-85mm take?

67mm, smaller than the 77mm thread on Canon's L-series zooms.

Does the EF 24-85mm have image stabilization?

No. Use a faster shutter speed or a body with in-body stabilization.

Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands

All Canon EF lenses

Same mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.

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Other 24-85mm lenses

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Cameras that fit the Canon EF mount

All Canon EF cameras (12)