The EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM is the “Dream Zoom Lens” for many Canon fans. This lengendary zoom lens is the fastest zoomer in the EF series and it sits in the L-Series line as the “King of Zoom”. Like every other Canon user, I too, dreamt about this lens often. Till recently I gave up and decided to stop dreaming and make my dream comes true. The EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM became my 12th Lens (and my 3rd L-series EF Lens) in the dry cabinet. At a constant apeture of F2.8 throughout the whole zoom range, this lens is a top performer in all possible lighting environments and situations. Pictures are sharp and colors are well reproduced – expected from a L-lens. The Ultrasonic Motor (USM) moves at break-neck speed and it is almost silent unless you strain your ears to catch the ring USM in action, otherwise, you won’t hear a thing. This is also due to the weather sealing incorporated in the lens construction that helps to mask out any audible operation noise.
* picture:  EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM.

As expected from a L-Series EF Lens, the lens body construction are solid metal, the finishing looks luxurious indeed with a weather-proofed compound – great feature but I found the body coating to be attracting lots of fingerprints. (Ha Ha Ha). This is one heavy lens (950g), very heavy and huge. However, it covers the most effective range for most photography needs when used on my 5D Mark II. On my 350D-IR & 500D, the range increased to 38-110mm which still makes a good walkabout range. (But be warned, when mounted on a cropped body like the XXXD & XXXXD series, the body looks ridiculously small, but looks balanced on XXD series). when mounted with the supplied petal-like hood, this lens looks even larger than life and you may wish to hold on to your lens when you are walking about as someone may accidentally hit your lens + camera combo and get hurt. (Just kidding!)

* picture:  EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM.

On the down side, those looking for a “All-Rounder” lens will discover the “Macro” printed on the lens body does not really gives you good magnification capability, but instead, now you have a super zoom that allows you to focus nearer to your subject. Enough have been said about this lens. Since this is the fastest zoom lens in the whole of Canon’s EF & L-Series lens, you know the rest of the story. 

* picture:  EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM. (When mounted with the supplied hood)