24-70mm or 24-105mm?

[Genny]

Hi guys, I am battling between these two lenses. I need a nice lens to take picture of my two years old son and his friends always running everywhere. First I thought the 70mm will be a nice lens but now I just realized it doesn't have the IS as the 105mm. I think this is a factor to be considered when you are chasing children.
I can afford one of these two lens but I really don't now which one to choose, just want to make the right investment. I also be upgrading my Rebel to 60d.
Any advice, comment, thought is very very appreciated.
Thanks a lot!

[RichardTaylor]

I own The Canon 24-105.
It is a good lens but a little slow for hand held use in low light.
The IS will not stop subject motion, only reduce the effects of camera movement.

If you are shooting in good light (ie daylight) it will be ok, however if you are shooting in low light (like indoors without a flash) I would get the 24-70 mainly because the F2.8 maximum aperture will enable you to shoot at higher shutter speeds.

[donniecs]

I also vote for the Canon 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM, its a great versatile lenses and it is mounted to my camera (Canon EOS 7D) more than any other lens. The Canon 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM is probably one of the most popular high end walk around lenses out there. The Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is also a great lenses also but lacks the IS, with the IS on the 24-104 it can basically shoot in the same light conditions as the 24-70 and a bit more action. The advantage is that the the 24-105 has a bit more reach and is actually a smaller lens, so thats why I chose it over the 24-70mm.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

I own The Canon 24-105.
It is a good lens but a little slow for hand held use in low light.
The IS will not stop subject motion, only reduce the effects of camera movement.

If you are shooting in good light (ie daylight) it will be ok, however if you are shooting in low light (like indoors without a flash) I would get the 24-70 mainly because the F2.8 maximum aperture will enable you to shoot at higher shutter speeds.

+1.

I own the 24-105L as well, and it really can be too slow for available light photography--particularly of fast action. IS only helps you with camera shake, not subject motion blur. You're still using slower shutter speeds.


Canon XT/350D. EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM. iso 800. f/4. 1/30s.

You want the 24-70 f/2.8L if these are your two choices. However, you may also want to consider the size of the rooms you're shooting in and how much of the scene you want to get in. 24mm is not particularly wide on a crop body. The EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM is not only wide on a crop, and f/2.8 but also has IS.

Another (less popular) recommendation would be to get an f/2 or faster (smaller f-number) prime lens with USM (although probably not the 85L or 50L--they AF by wire, and so are slower). I use the 135/2L more for event shooting these days than the 24-105L.


Canon 50D. EF 135mm f/2L USM. iso 800, f/2, 1/320s.
Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob.

And, of course, there's always the option of adding flash. I'm getting soundly taken to task in another thread for even suggesting there's another way of taking pics of kids running around inside the house than with a flash...

[Genny]

Thank you so much guys, it has been very helpful all your input. This weekend I am planning to rent the 24-105mm lens, so let's see how it goes.

[Genny]

OK, I rented the 24-105mm "L" series and I wasn't impressed
The pictures were not better than the ones taken with my lens kit 18-55mm. Maybe is because I had it attached to my old canon Rebel XS?? (I really don't know)
I am not a professional photographer but want quality pictures of my family. So, the guy at the store recommended the Canon 17-55mm F2.8, I've been looking online and the reviews are great, the only problem is something about the dust. Anyway, this lens is on the same price range as the 24-105mm and the 24-70mm BUT it is not a L series lens. I had the 24-70mm on my hands at the store and it is TOO heavy for me. I also have decided to buy a new camera the Canon 60d but I do not know what lens to choose. I feel comfortable with the focal length of my kit lens I only want something better, do you think the 17-55mm is a good option?

Thank you so much for all the help ( I really need it!) :0)

[RichardTaylor]

Canon 17-55mm is looks a great option.
I probably would have purachsed one if I was still shooting with a crop body only.

[Genny]

Thanks Richard! I think this is the one