24-105 user reports ??

M

morgan_moore

Major Contributor
Hi Im thinking of dropping a pile of $$$ on a 24-105 IS F4 canon

The main thinking is that IS is handy for handholding

how does the IS handle panning - I assume it has only one mode of IS

F4 is a livable aperture

and that range is good wides/CUs (100) and interviews (50mm)

What is the focus like - Im after light silk

Is the focus gearing long or short (im guessing short)

Minimum close focus ?

Does the front 'flop about' when zoomed out

Am I correct in thinking that going past infinity with a FF would mess up any FF marks

Any further comments on use with a FF

TIA

Smm
 
Hi.
I just went to get my 24-105.
Now, I use it for stills with a MkI, but my findings are, there is only one setting for IS, so panning may be iffy, someone who knows better should come in. The front extends, as you would expect, but it is rock solid and doesn't rotate. Focus travel is about 30 deg or so, but the ring is geared so the actual travel is about 60. Both focus and zoom rings are nicely weighted, but decidedly rough c/f a true manual lens.
Close focus is stated to be 45cm.
There is a fair bit of edge fall off esp at f/4, reducing to even at f/8, but I'm guessing the cam's internal correction can take care of it.
At 24mm there is a fair but of barreling, and I think a bit of pincusion at 105.
Geoffry Crawley reviewed it in AP a couple of years ago, I think I still have the issue, I'll see if I can dig it out an see what he says, though I do remember him saying it was a workman-like lens but a bit overpriced. That was then, they run teh thick end of £1000 now...ouch!
I hope this helps in the meantime,
Cheers,
Dave
 
So you are saying the gearing is doubled so that the external adjustment is 30 degrees moving the inner of the lens 60

This is small compared to a prime and could have issues with a non geard FF

If you have the lens why dig out a review - theres tons of MTF stuff on the web

Could you try a couple of pans hand held fast and slow and maybe a static talkie shot

(you dont have to post em but that would be nice)


The IS is the big interest to me

(I assume it is active in manual video mode ! ! ! )

Thanks

Edit I guess you have the lens but no 5d2 ?

S
 
Sorry, yes I've still to stump up the cash for the MkII, call me a mean old whatever!
I may have been a bit unclear, the focus ring rotates about 60 deg to rotate the scale 30 deg these are just eye estimates. the ring has "Soft" end stops, so if you're gentle it will stop, but cam be rotated through 360 deg...aargh!
The review is in AP 27 Jan 07, if your local library has back-issues.
The MTF's show what I found, it's a very sharp lens (Sharpest at 105, as you'd expect) but it distorts a lot at the wide angle end, and there's a fair bit (A lot really) of edge fall off.
Dave
 
OK 60 of touch is moving the inner 30 - I think I geddit

Im not that bothered about the visual characteristics - I have many great primes for use when time allows

Its IS and lack of lens changes that interest me for shooting RnG


I found this.. http://www.vimeo.com/2423314 looks quite stable handheld wide (dont know if he/she had a rig - whch I would)

S
 
That's quite encouraging. I was thinking of chopping the lens in when / if I P/Ex the 5D, but I think I'll keep it after all. It's actually quite a good walkabout lens for general 'togging, if a bit heavy for the focal length.
Dave
 
The best workhorse lens available out there. IS, range and quality wise, it is a no-brainer. f/4 in full frame is fast enough. End of story.

Buy it, you won't want to go back.

E. :-)
 
I guess you have one and the 5d2 - you seem very sure

YOu find IS useful for hand holding ?

No focus issues (gearing)

S
 
And why not take the 24-70 2.8?

and later the 70-200 2.8? or a 85 1.4 AIS

I know it's heavier but twice much more fast!
 
his vid was a nice steady interview better than handhold

24-70 has no IS and the reach is a little short if you are trying to minimise lense changes

85 1.4 will be anightmare to focus , heavy and requires too many lens changes - Ill have primes for considered projects - Im after a RunNGun Lens

S
 
samsara said:
And why not take the 24-70 2.8?

and later the 70-200 2.8? or a 85 1.4 AIS

I know it's heavier but twice much more fast!
Click to expand...
f/4 is enough in full frame for most part of cases. Do not forget, f/4 (in full frame) equals any PL zoom available today (S35).
 
morgan_moore said:
his vid was a nice steady interview better than handhold
Click to expand...
:dankk2: for your nice words but it actually was fully handheld. :)

To those who emailed me, please try to understand if I didn't post here it is because this footage is not of public domain. I'm sorry. Thanks for your understanding.
 
Does the Image Stabilizer work in the video mode? The manual says it starts working when the shutter button is pressed half way. Since the shutter button is not used in the video mode, what turns on the stabilizer?

Sorry about the question. I found the answer in the camera's manual, I was looking at the lens manual.
 
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Image Stabilizer works wonders in video, but every now and then it will cause the image to jump during quick pans. If you are holding steady, you can hold steady at a 105 easily.
 
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