24-105 F4 vs 24-70 2.8 Compared for Portraits and Travel - (Canon RF - Free RAW Files)

In this video I compare two of the most versatile zoom lenses - the Canon RF 24-105 F4 and the Canon RF 24-70 2.8 for both portraits and travel. I cover a few things including difference in background blur, focal lengths, reach and handling.

*DISCLAIMER* If you post these files online and/or to social media, please link back to this channel or my instagram. The RAW files must not be used for any commercial purposes.

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
0:44 - Focal Lengths Compared
3:40 - Can you tell the difference? 2.8 vs f4
6:00 - Travel Comparison
7:45 - 70mm vs 105mm Headshots
8:31 - Handling
9:47 - Outro

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[PunjabiGymBeats]

Simply buy 24-105 + 50mm 1.8 and 85 1.8 for portrait. for the price of 24-70 2.8.

[robertmccutchan]

I photograph lots of kids doing lots of activities, and the 24-105 is hands down the better option for sometimes wouldn't be long enough.

One thing people don't speak much about is the F4 gives you a bit more depth of field around the focus area. I find I have more usable images, because for subjects that are active like kids, I don't have the luxury of focusing on their eyes, so I need a bit more depth of field because I sometimes I only have time to focus on an ear or a shoulder. If I really need a blurry background, I just use the longer focal length.

When I was taught to shoot weddings, we shot mostly at F8, and we had to learn composition techniques to eliminate distracting backgrounds. I feel that skill is being lost these days.

Thanks for posting!

[jacktorrence]

Great video. From my experience: if you can only afford ONE lens for everything, including low light situations, and you want to be able to have a shallower dof in some photos - 24-70. If you own some prime lenses - 24-105 will be better in every scenario. Studio - it's the most favourite lens of many renown photographers, like Lindsey Adler, Eli Infante, Sue Bruce, etc. Hikes and travel - weight, more reach. The old, EF version was pretty bad but RF is one of the best lenses Iv'e ever used on a Canon camera for sure.

All the best!

[shaquillenoeltv]

James you’re my favorite YouTuber right now, Appreciate your videos and work! Been debating these two and I’d definitely be getting the 24-105 now that i’ve seen them compared so eloquently. I wish you 10k+ subs this year

[davidroberts]

I have both. Both excellent lens. The 24-105 is my go to travel and landscape lens. The 24-70 is my go to event lens, as well as part of my portrait kit. You can’t go wrong with either.

[eylccvw]

In sunny outdoor or well-lit environments where both options are available, it should be difficult to tell the difference unless compared side by side. However, if the goal is to increase shooting variations, I believe the brighter aperture of the 24-70 lens would be more advantageous.

[ElDiablo]

Great video man, I am not a professional photographer just an enthusiast, but I have been undecided between these two specific lenses for weeks, your video specially your side-by-side photo comparison and how the extra reach of the 24-105mm made a real difference in your portrait mode has finally allowed me to make a decision, 24-105mm it is. Thanks again, cheers. 🍻

[AlejandroMaagno]

I bought the RF 24-70 f/2.8 and the extra stop is ESSENTIAL in low-light situations. Do yourself a favor and just get the 24-70. Need a bit extra reach, zoom in with your feet or with cropping.

[juanmaasecas]

Maybe the best comparison of this kind I’ve seen, congratulations for the video!

[bobby]

5:55 cemented my decision. Thanks so much for this comparison, so useful!!

[Xavier.Phoenix]

This has been the best video for my needs. I really appreciate you making this video to compare these 2 lenses given that they are so different in price.

[DIGITALMIND]

I bought the RF 24-105 because the RF 24-70 was more than I wanted to spend. In hindsight, after watching your video, Im glad I picked up the 24-105. It's just as sharp and more versatile. Thanks for the content!

[tom_k_d]

Thanks James, this one was a pleasure to watch once more! I decided for the 24-105mm when I switched to the R system, as it is much more versatile and lighter, and thus a great travel companion. If maximum background blur is required, I use primes anyway (or my 70-200). And I like the way the 24-105 renders colours, too.

[chtty]

Just came back from 2weeks oversea roadtrip. Brought 24-105f4 with me. Initially, I though that I might not enough background blur for portrait & might not bring subject close enough when I need tele. But after all, this len can do everything I needed, while giving me lightweight & versatility.

[markedmondson]

Thank you James for another great comparison video. I have opted for the RF 24-70 F4 as my standard lens due to wanting a bit of extra background separation compared with the F4 and then also bought the RF 70-200 F4 based on the excellent results from your portrait lens comparison video which I think does a fantastic job for the price and size. Keep up the great work!

[zoltacsak]

6:18 the color grading on the b-rolls is marvelous!

[duwlqkb]

Finally this video helps me to select RF24-105 f4 but RF35 f1.8 will be the next.

[Tanya-kbqk]

Thank you so much for this, I was struggling to choose but I think for the price difference I’ll go with 24-195

[novainvicta]

Another well executed video James. I have both zooms the RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM sits on my R6 MKII because its a great video as well as stills lens given the extra reach. I do however prefer the RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM on the Canon R5 which is my go too camera for portraits. Both are improved lenses over the previous EF counter-parts.

[gauravgoel]

24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 will do job for most of the people and with great quality. No need to keep changing all those prime lens, or continuously change your position forward or backward while taking photos. Most of the time, having less number of lens (means having zoom lens) actually helps.