The EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM standard zoom lens was launched in August 2016 together with the EOS 5D Mark IV. Compatible with high-resolution digital cameras, it boasts of revamped depictive capabilities. We see how it fares in this article. (Reported by: Toshiki Nakanishi)

EOS 5D Mark IV/ FL: 24mm / Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/60 sec., EV±0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight

 

4 features of the EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM

- Revamped optical design includes 4 GMo (glass-moulded) aspherical lens elements, greatly reducing vignetting and also suppressing distortion.

- Incorporates ASC (Air Sphere Coating), which minimizes flaring and ghosting. The fluorine coating makes the lens resistant against grime.

- Image Stabilization (IS) system improved from about 2.5 shutter speed stops to 4 shutter speed stops.

- Number of aperture blades increased from 8 to 10, allowing beautiful bokeh effects to be created.

 

For a first look at the lens and its features, read:
Canon Launches Highly Anticipated EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Standard Zoom Lens

EOS 5D Mark IV/ FL: 105mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/100 sec., EV-1.3)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight

 

Lens can capture scenes once seemingly impossible when paired with distinctive high ISO speed of the EOS 5D Mark IV

The original EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM had truly been the standard zoom lens for users of Canon’s full-frame EOS cameras, as it could be used for a wide range of shots spanning from wide-angle scenes to telephoto ones with aperture f/4. However, as the new digital cameras released each year come with increasingly higher image resolutions, one could not help but feel that in terms of depictive performance, an update to the lens was in order.

I was really glad to find out that an overhaul of this lens was timed with the debut of the EOS 5D Mark IV. As the performance of cameras improve, better performance is required from the lens that guides light to the cameras. A great photo starts with good-quality light hitting the sensor.

In that aspect, the EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM impressively meets the mark for us users. Having used this lens for myself, the photos shot at both the wide-angle end and telephoto ranges of this lens have incredible image quality in the centre and around the edges, and depict scenes with backlight well. Image stabilisation has also been greatly improved to about 4 shutter speed stops. If you use this lens together with the distinctive high ISO speed of the EOS 5D Mark IV, you are likely to find it easier to achieve those shots you once thought were impossible .

*This review was done with a prototype, which may have an exterior and image quality differing from the actual product.

 

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