C100: Which would you buy, Used Canon 24-70 f2.8 L mk i, or New Tamron 24-70 VC?

chappelldigital

chappelldigital

Well-known member
Might be pulling the trigger on one of these very shortly.
I'm finding several Canon L 24-70 f2.8 I on craigslist/kijiji, around $1100-$1300.
Other option I'm considering is the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC, which is $1199+tax ($1356 here in Ontario).


Brand new Tamron w/VC, or roll the dice on a Used Version 1 Canon L.....
Opinions?

Thanks!

Edit: Note - 100% only video purpose. Will not be shooting any stills with it at all.
 
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Outside of any other issue with Tamron lenses like the tiny manual focus rings, I will never buy one due to the fact that the manual focus turns in the opposite direction of Canon and cinema lenses. I just can't adapt.
 
I have the version 1 EF 24-70 f2.8 L. Pretty happy with it. I agree that with the autofocus upgrade of C100/C300, it is better to stick to Canon lenses.
 
Hrm good to know!
My main concern with getting the Canon is it being off a random on Craigslist, so no idea what kind of love or hate the lens has seen. Don't plan up getting the autofocus upgrade, so not too concerned on that front (I have a few zeiss primes already, so couldn't use them with it).

Thanks for the info! Knowing that, will check out the Tamron in person to see what it feels like before deciding! Will likely happen today, as I need something for a large concert tomorrow (and man I'm tired of renting! heh)

Thanks guys, appreciate it!
 
If you don't zoom, it's workable. The focus ring is mediocre. The zoom ring is garbage though. Unusable on slow zooms.

its a love, hate thing. The vc is very nice and the lens looks good. It's just the mechanics that are tough.


With a monopod, you really don't need vc on a 24-70 anyway.
 
I have the Canon 24-70mm. I don't think there's any photographer/videographer that doesn't have one. Sturdy, weatherproof, great IQ and they hold their value. You just need to ensure you get a good copy. I've had some great lenses bought through Craigslist. Just ensure you can meet somewhere and do a focus test at all stops. Since getting a set of Rokinon Cine lenses (16/35/85) I've been using the 24-70 mainly for photo work. I much prefer the IQ of the Rokinon primes over the 24-70mm for video work.
 
Currently, I'm using the Canon 24-70L mkI and the 24-105L. Having said that, my most used lens is the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. IMHO, f/2.8 just isn't shallow enough for the kind of bokeh that I like, especially on the Super35 crop. The 24-105 is even worse in that it's only f/4. So if I were to buy a zoom lens in the medium ranges I'd be looking at either the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 or the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS. Both are reasonably fast and will get you wide enough for general shooting. The Sigma is like shooting with a 27mm and 55mm f/1.8 prime with the only caveat that it won't use the dual pixel autofocus in anything other than wide open (f/1.8). I know it's neither of the choices you initially gave but that's just my take on that focal length for a crop sensor camera.
 
I'm not so sure that the 24-70 is a good choice for video. Don't get me wrong, it's a great stills lens but if you do a lot of handheld shooting you'll miss the IS. The 17-55 2.8 is nice, but I really miss the reach on the long end. The 24-105 is good for the reach, but the f4 is not what I'd like. I wish there was a 17-105 f2.8 IS !
I've got the 17-55 2.8 IS if it's going to be wide, the 24-105 for longer reach, the 50 1.4 for bokeh (yeah it's not the best lens for FF, but with S35 sensor the issues aren't there) and my favorite 70-200 2.8 IS. I've recently picked up the new 10-18 IS, but too soon to really make a judgement on it.
 
The Tamron 24-70 f2.8 has VC (vibration control, their version of IS you could say).
I ended up going with the Tamro. It felt solid, and I guess was too scared to invest $1000+ because it was of craigslist and 4 years old. I've used the Canon 24-70 f2.8 I and II several times, but new its almost double the Tamron's cost. I shot One Republic handheld most of the day yesterday and everything looks great, so far I'm very happy with it!
 
I own four lenses the Canon 24-105, 70-200 2.8, Sigma 18-35 and Zeiss 50 makro. I had the Canon and Tamron 24-70 at one point. No need for either of them imo.
I use the Sigma and 24-105 95% of the time and the Zeiss for interviews.
I hated the Tamron - it breathed way too much when focusing, and I returned it after a week, plus the backwards zoom ring.
 
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