Last Updated on 06/09/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
If you’re in the market for an incredibly versatile lens, a 24-70mm could be for you
The 24-70mm f2.8 lens is a stalwart lens of wedding, portrait, and event photographers everywhere. Chances are if you like the convenience of zoom lenses you are going to be interested in adding a quality 24-70mm lens to your kit (if you don’t have one already). These lenses offer photographers decent light gathering potential with their f2.8 aperture, and enough versatility to shoot anything from wide environmental portraits or establishing shots, to tighter and more traditional portraits or detail shots. But with so many options out there and a ton of quality spread across both brand-name options and third-party options, how are you to know which 24-70mm is the right one for you?
You can put that fear to rest; today we are here to share with you what we consider to be the best 24-70mm f2.8 lens options currently on the market.
Ready? Let’s hop to it!
Oh, one more quick aside before we get started. These lenses are not listed in any particular order; any of the lenses on this list would be a great addition to your compatable kit.
Sony 24-70mm f2.8 G Master
Current Pricing on Amazon: [amazon_textlink asin=’B01BESQYJW’ text=’Sony 24-70mm F2.8 G Master’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’3e2d8ea8-6680-11e8-95d9-a71157ce38e8′]
“In all rights, this is a fantastic lens. It delivers wonderful image quality, performs well, has a fast autofocus, and will make lots of professional photographers very happy. For the photographers who love zoom lenses, this is another reason to move to the Sony E mount system if you haven’t already. It can tackle any sort of work thrown at it and, combined with just the right Sony a7 camera body, you’ll get the results you really want.” – Read Our Full Review
A few sample images:
Buy a [amazon_textlink asin=’B01BESQYJW’ text=’Sony 24-70mm F2.8 G Master’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’451919f5-6680-11e8-9361-07d3a0cc2ac0′] today.
Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2
Current pricing on Amazon: [amazon_textlink asin=’B072YTTN3L’ text=’Tamron 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD G2′ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’81d87191-6681-11e8-8da0-6993f7a17b48′]
“One of the reasons why the Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens is being awarded our Editor’s Choice award has to do with pricing. Tamron has always offered great image quality at a lower price than Sigma and first parties. And unless you’re pixel peeping you won’t be able to tell the differences between the lenses straight out of camera. Further, modern day editing can make any photo from any lens look like one another. The point is that the Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2 is a pretty fantastic tool for the professional photographer. Tamron also has a three business day repair service option, which is also pretty darn sweet. Their program may not be as extensive as Canon’s but with time it may get there.” – Read our Full Review
Some sample images:
Buy a [amazon_textlink asin=’B072YTTN3L’ text=’Tamron 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD G2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ac7f5394-6681-11e8-969b-b3893dba80b4′] today.
Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG HSM Art
Current pricing on Amazon: [amazon_textlink asin=’B002NLHXQ8′ text=’Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG HSM Art’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’9d330bca-6682-11e8-a0c1-55ca867c4624′]
“The Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG OS HSM Art earns very high marks in our book. It’s got beautiful image quality, pretty good focusing abilities, weather sealing, keeps the overall size to a fairly compact package, and works reliably. For professional photographers, the question isn’t about whether or not the lens can perform, but more about Sigma’s professional service options. I mean, if your lens breaks after a wedding and you’ve got another wedding in a few days, knowing that you can get it swapped out is very nice.” – Read our Full Review
Some sample images
Buy a [amazon_textlink asin=’B002NLHXQ8′ text=’Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG HSM Art’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ca22098a-6682-11e8-a508-3b92d1544598′] today.
Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 E ED VR II
Current Amazon pricing: [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N0ERKFK’ text=’Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 E ED VR II’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7d9f706c-6683-11e8-bf7b-fb2fc29d43f5′]
“If you’re a Nikon DSLR owner, then there is a lot that will make the 24-70mm E VR II appeal to you. It’s got solid image quality all around, though not as good a what Tokina can give you. It’s got VR, but so does Tamron. Granted, it has better image stabilization than Tamron’s version. So it’s a mixed bag here. I can totally see how a photographer would reach for the Nikon. Indeed, what I’m most excited about here is that Nikon listened to their customers and gave it VR. It just makes a whole lot of sense here.” – Read our full review
Some sample images:
Buy a [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N0ERKFK’ text=’Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 E ED VR II’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’73a56c66-6683-11e8-a3ad-fb5313ce06a0′] today.
Tokina AT-X 24-70mm f2.8 Pro FX
Current Amazon pricing: [amazon_textlink asin=’B00ZV5XVCI’ text=’Tokina AT-X 24-70mm f2.8 Pro FX’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4be364f0-6684-11e8-a2ac-abc5b268abcf’]
“The Tokina 24-70mm f2.8 is a really fantastic lens if you’re a professional or a high end hobbyist/semi-pro who doesn’t need weather sealing. There is lots to love about it. The image quality it can deliver is something other manufacturers should be looking at closely as I usually tend to be much more critical of zoom lenses since so much can possibly go wrong with their design. But this one: this one is marvelous.” – Read our full review
Some sample images
Buy a [amazon_textlink asin=’B00ZV5XVCI’ text=’Tokina AT-X 24-70mm f2.8 Pro FX’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’44203e6f-6684-11e8-8af6-5148a8d0ffb0′] today.
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L USM II
Current pricing on Amazon: [amazon_textlink asin=’B0076BNK30′ text=’Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L USM II’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’234bbdeb-6685-11e8-9cda-694fc1971fe1′]
“Canon’s 24-70mm f2.8 L USM II is quite expensive, but it gets so much right. The company fixed the reverse zooming issues, the color accuracy is top notch, it can be super sharp if you get the right copy, it is weather sealed like a boss, super durable and it stays pretty darned compact…If you want to spring for this lens, I also recommend you get a newer camera to ensure that you don’t have as many focusing issues and can then utilize its functionalities to its peak performance.” – Read our full review
Some sample images:
Buy a [amazon_textlink asin=’B0076BNK30′ text=’Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L USM II’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’196d7fd5-6685-11e8-9425-3dd58eceb968′] today.
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So there you have it, our six favorite 24-70mm f2.8 lenses for full frame cameras. Do you agree with our list, disagree? Drop a comment with your thoughts or suggestions and join the discussion!