Canon has started to kit the 5D Mark III with the recent EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens. Previously, the 5D Mark III was available as a body only or in a kit with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens.
Earlier this year, Canon dropped the price of the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM from $1499 to $1299 for a while. Now, the retail price is back up to $1499; however, it has a $300 rebate available to bring it down to $1199 net price.
I questioned whether that was too much for the lens considering the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens remains available for less. I think the similar specs and focal length advantage of the 24-105mm makes it hard to justify the price premium on the newer 24-70mm option.
To that point, the 5D Mark III with the 24-70mm lens retails for $4299, while the 5D Mark III kit with the 24-105mm lens retails for $3999. Everything I’ve read about the new 24-70mm lens (I haven’t used it) is that it is sharper (the MTF charts show as much) and the IS seems to be better. It’s also a little lighter – 600g vs. 670g.
So, to you guys, what do you think about choosing between these two kits? Would you go with the 24-70mm kit or the 24-105mm kit option? Why?
Rob Brookes says
24-105 all the way. Most people would have a sharper prime in there kit bag anyway so the extra reach would be worth it.
John Bosnitch says
I bought the 5D mkiii separately and then bought the 24-70mm f4 after carefully comparing it to the other options. Sharpness is *MUCH* better than the Canon 24-105mm, as is the feel and build. It is a good workhorse for journalism as well as action shooting. Once I get toward the 70mm end, I don’t seek to go to 105mm, but instead to 200mm via my 70-200mm f2.8
Did I mention the sharpness? It’s superb. And you’re hearing this from a former CONTAX user who runs his entire Zeiss (for CONTAX) line-up, Leitz (Leica-R), Zeiss (Hasselblad) and even a Nikon 105mm f2.5 on this Canon 5D mkiii…
George Wang says
I got the 5D3 with the 24-105mm kit lens. I am very happy with it and am very glad that 24-70mm f4 was not around as the kit lens (for more or less money) so I do not have to change to my 70-200mm IS II as often in front of my customers. If (or when) I am purchasing 5D3 again, I would purchase the body with the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC (not around when I got my 5D3) which is better priced and better IQ than the Canon 24-70mm IS f4 or 24-105mm f4 @ f2.8 and blows both of them away when clocked down to f4 with…. twice amount of light. It will be interesting to see the IQ on the new Sigma 24-105mm f4 OS since they have been producing some AMAZING IQ lenses lately! I only wish they can make a 24-105mm f2.8 OS lens at Canon 24-70mm IS f4 price… I buy it in a heartbeat!
Patience, is always your best friend…. especially, when you already have a workable lens in hand!