The Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM is a professional-grade standard zoom lens that sits comfortably in Canon’s esteemed L-series lineup, where “L” stands for “Luxury.” First introduced in 2005 as a companion to full-frame DSLRs like the Canon EOS 5D, this lens quickly earned a reputation as a go-to option for those seeking an all-in-one solution for landscape, portrait, travel, documentary, and event photography.
Though it has since been succeeded by the EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM, the original version is still highly respected, widely used, and readily available on the secondhand market at a great value.
Key Specifications
- Focal Length: 24–105mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/4 throughout zoom range
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Lens Construction: 18 elements in 13 groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 8
- Image Stabilization: Yes, up to 3 stops
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.45m (1.5 ft)
- Maximum Magnification: 0.23×
- Filter Size: 77mm
- Weight: Approx. 670g (1.47 lbs)
- Length: 107mm
- Mount: Canon EF (compatible with both full-frame and APS-C DSLRs)
- Weather Sealing: Yes (when used with a weather-sealed body)
Build Quality and Design
The lens has a solid, premium build, characteristic of Canon’s L-series glass. It features a robust metal barrel with high-quality plastic components, sealed against dust and moisture when paired with a weather-sealed camera body. The lens is designed to endure the rigors of professional use, from weddings and studio work to desert treks and rainy street shoots.
The zoom and focus rings are smooth and well-damped, providing a refined tactile experience. The zoom ring is particularly large, allowing for quick and accurate framing. The lens extends as it zooms to 105mm but maintains its balance well.
A lock switch is included to prevent lens creep when stored vertically—a thoughtful addition for travel or field photographers who frequently carry their gear slung over a shoulder.
Optical Performance
The Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM delivers impressive optical quality for a lens of its class and age. Its performance is well-balanced across all focal lengths, and it holds up particularly well on full-frame sensors.
Sharpness
- At 24mm, the lens is sharp in the center even wide open at f/4, with some softness in the corners. Stopping down to f/5.6 or f/8 significantly improves edge sharpness.
- From 35–70mm, the lens is excellent across the frame, and f/4 is perfectly usable.
- At 105mm, center sharpness remains good, though corners soften slightly at wide apertures. Again, stopping down improves uniformity.
For most practical applications—portraits, events, landscapes—the image quality is more than satisfactory, and the constant f/4 aperture ensures exposure consistency when zooming.
Distortion and Vignetting
- Barrel distortion is noticeable at 24mm, which is common in wide-angle zooms, but can be corrected in post-processing.
- At the telephoto end (105mm), a slight pincushion distortion appears.
- Vignetting (corner darkening) is visible at f/4, especially on full-frame cameras at 24mm, but improves when stopped down.
These minor optical flaws are generally expected in zooms and are easily correctable in Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw.
Chromatic Aberration and Flare
- The lens handles chromatic aberration well, thanks to its use of Super UD glass and aspherical elements. Some fringing may occur in high-contrast areas but is minimal.
- Flare resistance is above average, though strong backlighting can introduce ghosting. Using the supplied lens hood (EW-83H) helps mitigate this.
Image Stabilization (IS)
One of the hallmark features of the EF 24–105mm is its built-in Image Stabilizer, rated at approximately 3 stops of compensation. This makes the lens highly usable in low-light conditions or when shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.
For instance, at 105mm, one might typically need 1/125s or faster to avoid blur. With IS enabled, you can shoot as slow as 1/30s or even lower depending on technique and subject.
This stabilization feature makes the lens ideal for documentary, travel, and indoor event photography, where flash or tripods are often impractical.
Autofocus Performance
Equipped with Canon’s Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), the autofocus on the 24–105mm f/4L is fast, silent, and accurate. It is well-suited for both still photography and video, offering quick locking and excellent tracking capabilities, especially on DSLRs with advanced AF systems.
In Live View or video recording, the lens performs well, although it lacks the STM or Nano USM motors of newer Canon lenses which are more optimized for smooth focus transitions in video.
Manual focus override is available at all times—simply rotate the focus ring without switching out of AF mode. This is useful for fine-tuning focus or when working with selective focus compositions.
Versatility in the Field
The 24–105mm zoom range is one of the most useful and flexible ranges available, especially on a full-frame DSLR.
Landscape Photography
At 24mm, the lens captures wide vistas and dramatic skies, ideal for landscape work. The sharpness and color rendition make it a strong performer in outdoor scenes. When paired with filters (such as a circular polarizer or ND filter), it becomes even more effective in controlling contrast and exposure.
Portraits and Events
At 85–105mm, the lens produces flattering portraits with natural perspective. While f/4 doesn’t offer the same subject separation as f/2.8 or f/1.4 primes, it still allows for pleasant background blur, especially at longer focal lengths.
For weddings, street, or event photography, the lens is ideal. Its zoom range allows you to go from environmental shots at 24mm to candid close-ups at 105mm without switching lenses.
Travel Photography
If you can bring only one lens, this is a serious contender. It covers nearly everything, from wide architectural shots to portraits to food and detail shots. Its weather sealing, IS, and relatively light weight (compared to the 24–70mm f/2.8L) make it a practical travel companion.
Comparison with Other Lenses
vs. Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM
- Aperture: 24–70mm has f/2.8, better for low light and bokeh.
- Reach: 24–105mm wins with longer telephoto.
- IS: Only the 24–105mm has built-in stabilization.
- Weight: 24–105mm is lighter and easier to carry.
For many users, the extra reach and IS of the 24–105mm make it more practical for general use, especially outside the studio.
vs. EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM
The Mark II version improves edge sharpness, has a redesigned optical formula, and slightly better IS, but it’s also heavier and more expensive. The original still holds its own, especially considering the value.
Video Use
Although designed before Canon’s full embrace of video features, the 24–105mm f/4L IS USM has found a second life in DSLR video production. Its zoom range, sharpness, and IS make it ideal for run-and-gun filmmaking, interviews, and documentaries.
On cameras like the Canon EOS 5D Mark II or III, it became a staple lens in the indie video scene.
Value for Money
The lens originally retailed for around $1,150 USD, but it was frequently bundled with Canon’s 5D and 6D full-frame bodies, which helped it become one of the most widely owned L-series lenses.
Today, you can find this lens on the used market for around $400–$600, making it one of the best-value L-series lenses available, especially for hobbyists stepping up to full-frame.
Final Thoughts
The Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM is a highly practical and durable standard zoom that delivers excellent performance, a broad focal range, and true professional build quality. It’s the kind of lens that can stay on your camera for 80% of what you shoot—landscapes, portraits, events, travel, and even video.
Though newer lenses have been released, few strike the same balance of performance, versatility, and affordability. Whether you’re using it on a Canon 5D series DSLR, a Canon 6D, or even adapting it to mirrorless with an EF–RF adapter, the 24–105mm f/4L remains a lens that just works—day in and day out.
