Informative Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II Sharpness Test
BorrowLenses recently published a test they did looking at the sharpness between Canon’s latest 24-70mm f/2.8 L II lens and the original, and were pleased to note several distinct reasons you might want to pick up the new one. The new version two has less chromatic aberrations, less vignetting, and is also sharper than the original. Though we are still testing this lens and haven’t yet reached a verdict, their test might help you decide one way or the other.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM compared at 24mm at f2.8
Overall, BorrowLenses determined that the 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II is considerably sharper in the corners and center of the lens and that the version II also has less vignetting. The older generation 24-70 has a noticeable increase in chromatic aberration in the corners.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM compared 24mm at f/8
They noticed a slight improvement in sharpness in the center and corners, but not nearly as drastic as at f/2.8. What they noted as more improved is the reduction in chromatic aberration in the corners and center.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM compared 70mm at f/8
Once again, they noticed a slight improvement in sharpness in the center and corners, but not nearly as drastic as at f/2.8. They also see an improvement in reduction of chromatic aberration in the corners and center.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM compared at 70mm at f2.8
At f/2.8, they saw a considerable improvement in sharpness in the corners and center of the lens. Version II has far less vignetting and “pincushioning.” One slight is that the BorrowLenses team didn’t see that the Mark II at this focal length and aperture setting doesn’t seem to be any better in regards to chromatic aberration in the corners. Bummer.
For more details and a further breakdown of other topics of note they discovered in their breakdown, head over to the BorrowLenses Blog.
