Product Description

The L-series is Canon's flagship professional lens range, designed to include outstanding image performance, ultimate operability and weather resistance. The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM offers a lightweight alternative to the renowned EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM. offers the highest possible optical quality with no change in aperture over the full focal range of the lens. This allows photographers to set exposure at the widest aperture and zoom all the way through to 105mm without having to vary the shutter speed.

Image Stabilizer (IS) dramatically reduces image blur caused by camera shake. Gyro sensors detect unwanted vibrations, triggering the corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. This alters the light path, returning the image to its correct position on the sensor or film plane. The 3 stop advantage means that photographers normally shooting a 105mm lens handheld at 1/125 sec can obtain a shake free result with a shutter speed as low as 1/15 sec, for vastly extended options in low light conditions.

The ring-type USM motor found in the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM employs ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive auto focus with unrivalled speed and near-silent operation. A powerful CPU and improved AF algorithm contribute to speed performance. Good holding torque stops the lens with precision and accuracy, the instant it arrives at the correct focus point and without overshoot. Photographers can choose manual focus instantly and at any time simply by moving the manual focus ring without first having to switch out of auto focus mode. Circular aperture producing attractive background defocus Inner focusing, ring USM and new AF algorithms for fast and quiet autofocusing Manual focusing enabled even during AF mode (full-time mechanical manual focus) Only environmentally friendly lead-free glass used in lens construction Filter diameter 77 mm / Dimensions (dia x len)

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 0344B006
• Released on: 2005-11-01
• Dimensions: 2.00" h x 2.00" w x 6.00" l, 1.48 pounds

Features

• 24-105mm standard zoom lens with f/4 maximum aperture for Canon EOS SLR cameras
• 1 Super UD glass element and 3 aspherical lenses minimize chromatic aberration and distortion
• Ring-type USM system delivers silent but quick autofocus (AF); full-time manual focus
• Image Stabilizer technology steadies camera shake at up to 3 stops; weighs 23.6 ounces
• Dust- and moisture-resistant; measures 3.3 inches in diameter and 4.2 inches long; 1-year warranty

From the Manufacturer
Dust and moisture resistant and incorporating Canon's very finest standards of precision optics, the EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM is designed for reportage, event, travel, and celebrity photographers looking for a lightweight and maneuverable lens with minimal image quality compromise.

Complementing the EF 17-40mm f4L USM and EF 70-200mm f4L USM, the lens completes Canon's f4L-series zoom lens range. These lenses are designed for professional photographers requiring a light zoom lens with a fixed aperture throughout the zoom range. For outstanding camera-shake reduction, Image Stabilizer allows shutter speeds of 3 stops slower than would otherwise be possible, with no perceptible increase in image blur.

The L-series is Canon's flagship professional lens range, designed to include outstanding image performance, ultimate operability, and weather resistance. The EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM offers a lightweight alternative to the renowned EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM.

Image Stabilizer
Image Stabilizer (IS) dramatically reduces image blur caused by camera shake. Gyro sensors detect unwanted vibrations, triggering the corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. This alters the light path, returning the image to its correct position on the sensor or film plane.

The 3-stop advantage means that photographers normally shooting a 105mm lens handheld at 1/125 second can obtain a shake free result with a shutter speed as low as 1/15 second, for vastly extended options in low light conditions.

Superb autofocus
The ring-type USM motor found in the EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM employs ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive autofocus with unrivalled speed and near-silent operation. A powerful CPU and improved AF algorithm contribute to speed performance. Good holding torque stops the lens with precision and accuracy, the instant it arrives at the correct focus point and without overshoot. Photographers can choose manual focus instantly and at any time simply by moving the manual focus ring without first having to switch out of autofocus mode.

Constant f4 aperture from 24 to 105mm
The EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM offers the highest possible optical quality with no change in aperture over the full focal range of the lens. This allows photographers to set exposure at the widest aperture and zoom all the way through to 105mm without having to vary the shutter speed. It is the perfect lens for professional photographers looking for a lightweight and extended zoom alternative to its EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM counterpart. The lens employs an almost perfectly circular barrel aperture, helping create attractive, defocused backgrounds.

Image quality
To limit lens size and improve image clarity over the total image area, an Ultra-Low Dispersion glass (UD) element is used to eliminate the secondary chromatic aberrations that otherwise reduce sharpness and introduce color fringing. Aspherical lens elements correct spherical aberration for crisp, high-contrast, corner-to-corner quality. By optimizing Super Spectra lens coatings and lens element shaping, Canon's engineers have been effective in suppressing flare and ghosting--more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural color balance.

EOS system integration
The EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM includes distance metering information, providing compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system of late-model cameras such as the EOS-1D Mark II N and EOS 5D. When used in conjunction with Canon's range of EX Speedlite flash units, the lens passes distance information to the flash algorithm for markedly improved flash exposure metering. To match the weather resistance afforded by EOS-1 professional camera bodies, an O-ring seals the lens against the lens mount and numerous seals around the lens' moving components provide protection against the ingress of dust and moisture.

AF Mode and IS switches have been reshaped, making them less susceptible to being engaged or disengaged accidentally.

The EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM comes with a bayonet mount lens hood EW-83H and soft lens pouch LP1219. In keeping with Canon's Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment, the lens features only lead-free glass.

Customer Reviews

Great All-Purpose Lens
I purchased this lens to serve as my primary lens and have been very satisfied with its performance as such. It has a great focal length range. I believe this is why it excels as a general lens. The IS helps greatly when zoomed in, however it does not help as much for low-light situations. In general, I have not had nearly much success in low-light situations with this lens at least for people. I have a f/1.4 fixed lens that works much better in low light. I find that this lens works decently well for low-light nature shots though.

Unfortunately I find my shots taken at f/4.0 to be rather soft. I understand that most lenses do not perform as well at the low end of their aperture. So I try to keep it above f/5.6 unless I really need more light. However, zoomed in at f/4.0 does create great background blur.

If you want only one lens this lens is great. I keep it on my camera almost all the time. Unfortunately my wife finds it a little too heavy for carrying for long.

I chose this over the 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens
This lens is one of the best general purpose, all-around lenses in Canon's lineup. In order of preference, here are the top 5 things that I love about this lens:
- sharp images
- very versatile range of focal lengths
- image stabilization
- constant f/4.0 aperture
- L lens build quality

Because of the quality glass that Canon puts into its L lens series, this lens takes some tack-sharp photos. The range of focal lengths is excellent for portraits, stills, some landscapes and architectural shots. The auto-focus is fast on all focal lengths. The image stabilization is huge -- it gives you up to 3 additional stops in aperture. This translates to action-stopping shutter speeds. The constant f/4.0 aperture means that you don't have to suffer a decrease in shutter speed as you zoom in on a subject, a problem with variable aperture zoom lenses. Although the f/4.0 is not as desirable as an f/2.8 for low-light situations, it is great in decent lighting. I have a Speedlite 580EX II, so the range of that flash works perfectly with this lens when the situation calls for a hot shoe flash. Finally, the build quality is top-notch. The auto-focus is quiet, the lens body is rugged, and the weather-seal is very effective.

I was debating between this lens and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens. Although I would have loved the 24-70mm's constant f/2.8, I found the lack of IS and the loss of 35mm in focal length to be a huge compromise. With the 3-stop gain using the IS on the 24-105mm, I get back more than the 24-70mm's f/2.8. For bokeh purposes, the 8-blade aperture of the 24-105mm is still very good, although there's no question that a wider opening would provide even more blur. The only thing that would be able to pry this lens away from me as my favorite all-around lens is if Canon came out with a 24-105mm L IS lens with a constant f/2.8. But then that would be a huge lens, and might start getting in the way of effective everyday use. Right now, this lens is the perfect size for my general-purpose needs.

Overall, I am tremendously satisfied with this lens. I may eventually still get the 24-70mm f/2.8 L, but might wait to see if Canon introduces that with IS first.

Great Lens
This is a great lens. My first L lens and I am sold. Great clairity. Now my standard lens.