This is the second lens I have in my camera arsenal (the first being the 50mm f/1.4). Before any of you camera savvy folks get too excited, note that this is not the oh-so-incredible 24-70mm f/2.8L lens that everyone loves. This lens - which I bought third-hand (from a guy who bought it used from another guy) for $840 thanks to craigslist – is the pre-curser to the 24-70 f/2.8L. Canon manufactured it in the 1990s, and later it was discontinued as the 24-70 was rolled out and took over. In its heyday though, this was the lens to have.
I’ve had this lens for a few months now and have gotten to play around with it a lot, so I thought it was high time for a review.
I’ll start with the obvious negative to this lens: it’s discontinued. That means that if it breaks it’s going to be darn near impossible to get it fixed. Canon won’t touch it, so my only hope would be local camera shops that might by the grace of the camera gods have the skills and parts to fix it should the need arise. To be fair, that’s a pretty significant risk when lenses cost as much as they do. On the flip side, lenses that are well taken care of can last for decades. Ultimately, given the price difference between the new 24-70 f/2.8 ($2100+) and the old 28-70 f/2.8 ($840), it was a risk I was willing to take.
The second negative to this lens is the weight. It is substantial (especially compared to my oh so light 50mm). Hauling it around for hours at a time isn’t very fun. Since it’s a longer lens, it’s also just physically big. It takes up more space in my camera bag, and I think the dogs are a little intimidated by it sometimes (in the beginning Nemo would look away from it when I pointed it at him, something he never did with the 50mm).
Mostly though, there are a lot of positives to this lens. The focal range is great (although sometimes I do wish it was a tad wider on the short end). I love having a zoom lens when photographing dogs, it’s incredibly convenient. I used to sometimes have trouble with my fixed focal length lenses because I would miss out on a shot because I was too close or too far away. Now I can compensate for that without moving by simply zooming. Because it still opens up to f/2.8, it’s great indoors and I can get great bokeh. Colors are rich and images crisp. I’m used to the sharpness I get from fixed focal length lenses (aka lenses that don’t zoom – see the Sigma 30 f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4), and because those lenses are known for being sharper than zoom lenses I was concerned my photos would be soft with a zoom. Turns out that’s not a concern a need to have with this lens, my images are still sharp and clear.
I have to admit, I like this lens a lot more than I thought I would. Before buying it, I thought I’d be a “prime girl.” I’ve loved my fixed focal length lenses so much, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a zoom. I still love my prime lenses, and I dream about the gorgeous 35L, but I’m really happy with my zoom too. I’ve had this lens for a few months now and have gotten to take a lot of photos with it. Here are some that I’ve taken recently:
I know that a lot of people would be wary of purchasing a lens like this – one that’s older and discontinued – and that’s a valid concern. I had a lot of second thoughts about going through with it. But in the end, I’m really happy with my decision. Between this lens and my 50mm f/1.4, I feel pretty good about photographing most things that come my way. I’m starting to feel like my lens collection is becoming more well-rounded. Which is a good thing because all this stuff is pretty expensive and I’ve run out of ways to justify how I need more gear. 
Related:
Review of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Review of the Canon 50mm f/1.8
Review of the Canon 50mm f/1.4
Review of the Canon 16-35 f/2.8L