What I Learned from Shooting over 20,000 Photographs with the Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8L II Lens

I reviewed over 20,000 photographs from the Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8L II, and I learned quite a bit about my style of shooting. This video was actually shot on the 24-70 adapted on the Canon R5. I just got it back from my friend, and I may be falling in love with lens all over again.
You can see my work on Instagram at @photographybydaniellee.

[@costasprosperity3297]

Informative and interesting! Thank you for sharing your experience. I agree with you!

[@photographybydaniellee]

You are very welcome. Thank you for commenting.

[@pete292]

Just about to purchase my next lens. Found this video to be exactly what I was looking for to be certain I was buying the right lens. Thank you, Daniel

[@photographybydaniellee]

I hope your lens purchase went well and that you found the lens that is perfect for you.

[@selkiemaine]

Thank you for the reminder to people like me to have common sense. "I prefer 70mm from this lens" means "shoot it at 70mm - it doesn't mean "time to buy a fast 85mm prime right now!!!" Love your work, BTW.

[@photographybydaniellee]

Thank you so much!!! And yes, maximize that that lens.

[@neelsfer]

Something regarding this fantastically sharp lens, after lots of use. My 24-70 mkii died on me at a wedding - aperture module failure issue, where the lens would only work at f2.8. The Canon repair center told me that it is a quite common problem with that and the 24-105 lenses, after heavy use. Be aware of that factory fault and always carry an alternative lens ie 35mm in your bag, at important shoots. I recently switched to the RF version now

[@photographybydaniellee]

Wow! That is great information to know. Thank you for sharing.

[@guyphoto9437]

Great philosophy and shooting style. I have always shot the same way, one shot at a time. I was surprised to actually see a wedding photographer shooting continuous. It was his style but it, to me, wastes a ton of shots. A photographer needs to train themselves to be able to capture the moment. And, like you, I'm talking about people photography, which is what I do. If you're a sports photographer, that's a different ball game--no pun intended. Keep doing what you're doing, I like your work and like to hear that someone out there shoots like I've always done. I don't want to look through 5,000 photos after an event or wedding. And knowing what I'm doing prevents me from doing that.

[@photographybydaniellee]

Yes, being selective of my shots really increases my speed when it’s time to go through pics and prepare a gallery for my clients. It can get out of hand when you shoot 20 frames a second. Thanks for the comment!

[@BrendanMariani]

The part about the gaffer tape to keep it on 70 got me ahahaha :p This was interesting to watch and see the conclusions came to after taking this many photos. I've been going nuts myself trying to single in on 1 focal length, and for me its 40mm!

[@photographybydaniellee]

I glad you liked my joke! I can understand falling in love with a 40mm.

[@roystansell7640]

I do a lot of moving horse photography and the fast shooting often feels like a trap in most situations(though there is a time and a place). It is a special feeling timing and anticipating the moment and adds the benefit of much faster culling. Thank you for the video

[@photographybydaniellee]

Yes, I find it frustrating having to delete a lot of pictures. I never feel like I’m missing out on anything by taking fewer shots.

[@roystansell7640]

@@photographybydaniellee get more personally interesting shots too. I still probably get too many but they feel more justified with more range in story told

[@bigjimstream]

Thanks for the reflection Dan. I have the RF “trinity” lens collection which includes the 24-70 2.8. I can see why you like 70mm for portraits as the quality is awesome at that focal length and it allows you to be a little further from your subject for more natural looks. I have heard a lot of people rave about the prime EF 85mm 1.8 and the more expensive RF 85mm 1.2. Thanks for sharing your feedback and I’ll look for more opportunities at the 70mm focal length. :)

[@photographybydaniellee]

Thanks for the comment. I have wondered about the RF 85’s for a while now. I may rent them and see if they fit what I do.

[@s2kkyle]

Thanks for the video! Keep uploading more!

[@photographybydaniellee]

Thanks for the motivation!

[@Daniel_Zalman]

This was actually really helpful. I'm an amateur, but, like you, I mostly shoot people. After trading in my Nikon gear and getting a Sony a7IV, I only purchased a 50mm. I feel like I can get most of the shots that I want with it, but, indoors, sometimes I feel like a 35mm would give me more flexibility with my compositions. And, I miss the background compression I'd get with an 85mm. The Sony 24-70 (the new one) is $2300...ouch. I just heard that Sigma is releasing a lighter version of its 24-70 for the e-mount. I might pick that up. I'll miss being able to shoot at f/1.4, but the versality of a 24-70 will be worth it (probably). Btw, the image at 1:47 (in the navigator window) is gorgeous. Great light and the model is...well...lawdy, lawdy...praise the lawd!

[@photographybydaniellee]

I hope your lens journey is going well. I am so glad that this video was helpful. 24-70 is focal length that you will never regret having in your bag. Thank you for commenting.

[@pkennethv]

For portraits, I also have a "don't go wider than 35mm" mentality. And while I pretty much am a prime lens shooter (the only zoom lens I've owned in >12 years is a 14-24mm - and I pretty much never use that for portraits), that's why I thought the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is such a great idea of a lens for wedding shooters. I don't need one now, but it's definitely got my attention (unfortunately no RF mount version for you).

[@photographybydaniellee]

A 35-150mm 2-2.8 sounds interesting! Thanks for the comment.

[@robertm3951]

Yeah, I pretty much feel like I wasted my money on a 24-70 since I mostly use primes now.
I plan to sell it and waste even more on a 24-105 f/2.8 for the ability to zoom in and out more.

[@photographybydaniellee]

Hey, I hope you have lot of fun with that 24-105. It seems like an amazing lens.

[@robbiegershen8602]

very explanatory thank you!

[@photographybydaniellee]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@robbiegershen8602]

@@photographybydaniellee have you ran into the problem with the aperture failing and only working at 2.8?

[@CarlosFernandezRamirez]

Great video 👍🏼

[@photographybydaniellee]

Thank you!!!

[@royalknightsmb1018]

Why not just use a 85 1.2. If you are going to lock yourself into 70mm.

[@photographybydaniellee]

70mm to 85mm is actually a considerable jump. Is like the difference between a 35mm and 50mm. But, your question has sparked some curiosity in my mind and caused me to look at what I have produced from the 85mm. I found some interesting information. Thanks for the comment.

[@allenhendricks8892]

It will lay yojr bills

[@photographybydaniellee]

Yes, it will.

[@t_mcb_1342]

only 20,000!?

[@photographybydaniellee]

That’s right. I’m a slow shooter.

[@v_stands_for_value124]

This thing looks like cheap plastic toy but everybody knows it has great performance

[@photographybydaniellee]

I actually have a coffee cup that looks like this lens.

[@allenhendricks8892]

U will be extremely grateful with this lens I choose it over many for weddings and portraits invest in one pls