The other day in my Simple Tips to Help you Capture Memorable Photo of your Disney Vacation post, I shared my favorite lens with you, the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. It’s certainly an investment, so I had a few questions from readers asking if I could recommend any alternative lens choices and I wanted to share some of the discussion that was had on the Simple as That Facebook page about this topic.
First of all, let’s chat about the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8. This is my go-to lens right now, I love it and use it almost exclusively. Ever since I purchased it for my trip to Australia in 2012 I haven’t looked back! It’s the only lens I took with me on that trip and it shot beautifully allowing me to adapt to so many different photography situations seamlessly.
The above image was shot with the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, as were all of my recent Disney photos. I was sitting directly beside my daughter and could have never gotten this shot if I’d packed along a fixed lens.
I love this lens for it’s versatility, it’s why I shoot with it ALL THE TIME. It rarely leaves my camera. I shoot with it at home, outdoors, during styled photoshoots. You name it, it goes with me everywhere! It’s great in low light, not as bulky as other large zoom lenses, has just the right amount of zoom that I need and the wider angle is so great to have!
Here’s what others who use the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L are saying about it on the Simple as That Facebook page:
“I also shoot with a Canon 24-70 2.8. My 24-70 is almost always on my camera, worth the investment every time!”
“I want that lens badly. I currently have the tamron 28-75 and it does get the job done. It’s no L glass but the quality for the price point is fantastic. In use it often for all the reasons you mentioned you use the 24-70.”
“Love, love, love this lens. Stays on my camera too!”
“I have the canon 24 – 70 mm 2.8….. It is with every cent! Always on my camera!!!”
If you’d like to take a look at some of the images I’ve captured with my Canon 24.70mm f/2.8 you can have a look at these posts:
Capture Memorable Photos on your Disney Vacation
Put the Fun in Back to School Photos this Fall
Family Travel in Waterton, Alberta Canada
Tips for Photographing your Family in the Great Outdoors
I realize the Canon 24-70mm f/2.L is quite an investment and certainly isn’t in the budget for everyone. When I asked some of my Simple as That Facebook followers what alternative lenses they’d had experience with we got some great feedback that I wanted to share with you. Since I haven’t used these lenses myself, I can’t honestly recommend them, but I think hearing these people’s personal experiences with each of these lenses is so helpful when shopping around and can you make a decision on the right one for you!
This is one lens, similar in capacity to the Canon 24-70mm. You can read more specifics about it at the link above. Here’s what people on the Simple as That Facebook page, who use this lens, are saying about it:”
“I currently have the tamron 28-75 and it does get the job done. It’s no L glass but the quality for the price point is fantastic.”
“I have the Tamron on my 6D and love it. Haven’t touched my other lenses since I got it.”
“I have the tamron 28-75 and i ABSOLUTELY love it!! just got it!”
“I have the Tamron version and use it 80% of the time. No complaints.”
“Tamron 28-75 stays on my camera 99% of the time! I’m saving for a 24-70 though.”
This lens is another viable option, if you’re looking for something similar to the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8. People who shoot with it had this to say on the Simple as That Facebook page:
“I have the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8. I also have the Sigma 50mm f/1.4. I LOVE them both. I have no doubt that the Canon lenses are amazing, but I have never shot with the comparable Canon version. (I own a Canon 5D Mark III and love Canon) The Sigma lenses were just more affordable for me, and I still love the results.”
“I have the Sigma 24-70 and love it. I don’t notice any difference from the Nikon. It’s just half the price. I love my lens and use it all the time.”
I hope that gives you some great info when shopping and comparing these lenses! If you have any other thoughts please chime in in the comments below!
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Rebecca, what a great shot of your daughter!! Looks like from all the pics I have been seeing, a great time was had at DL. I have the Tamron version of that lens (for a Nikon). I just upgraded my camera and wishing I would of gotten a full frame camera. I didn’t think my photography was good enough to spend that kind of cash on a prof. grade camera, so I went with another crop factor (Nikon’s D7100). I do have to say, like you, my Tamron 28-75mm stays on my camera all the time now.
Thanks Michelle and thank you so much for sharing your insight on this lens! 🙂
Hi Rebecca. I’ve had the Canon 24-70 2.8 on my wish list since you suggested it back when you went to Australia. I got the 24-105 4.0 with my new Canon body–a suggestion from two friends who are both photographers. It takes beautiful photos, but is a brick to lug around! There’s no way I’m going to carry it around Disneyland. How is the 24-70 weight-wise? I’m going to go check one out before I purchase, but just wanted to know what you think. The cost has dropped considerably since I originally looked at it, so I’m getting serious now.
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You’re right Kim, the price has certainly dropped. It has some weight to it, but it’s not nearly as heavy as larger zoom lenses. I have small hand and I’m able to carry it no problem. Carrying it around Disneyland all day, you’ll definitely be aware of the added burden, but it’s not that bad. Checking one out for yourself and handling it to see what the weight is like would be best, but I had no trouble carrying it around with me for the three days we were at the park and I’m not muscle woman by any means. 😉 🙂
Thank you for this post! We are planning a trip to Peru, and really just want to take 1 lens if at all possible. 🙂
I’m just going to leave this post up on the computer, and see if it doesn’t inspire my hubby for holiday gift giving 🙂
The Tamron 24-75mm f/2.8 is my go to lens since 2008, I think. So I have an older version of the one you shared. I use a Canon 7D and I prefer wide angle shots with some scenery so it works for my style.
DH and I are going to Walt Disney World in November and I plan to use the Tamron 24-75mm the most. I’ll keep the 50mm f/1.4 in the backpack. It doesn’t take up much space and is so fast and sharp in low light.
I’m still trying to decide if I want to take my tripod for fireworks photos or just be in the moment and enjoy them. Thoughts?
I found it really crowded when the fireworks show was on @Christi and while I would have loved to get some shots with a tripod, there just wouldn’t have been room to set one up.
thanks for the feedback on the tripod for fireworks, Rebecca!
I have the 24-70mm f2.8L but it stopped focusing!
I got it in 2008 or so and used it a lot, sent it in for repair in 2014 and it worked for a week or two and back to not focusing again! debating to send it in to repair for another 300 bucks???!
tara
Me too! I shoot on a full frame Nikon and love my 24-70mm lens!