I recently had the pleasure of testing Canon’s impressive 24-105mm F4 USM lens – a premium zoom lens distinguished by its signature red ring (affectionately nicknamed the “big turd” among photographers).
What truly excites me about this lens is its exceptional performance across both wide-angle and telephoto ranges. To put it through its paces, I compared it with two other elite red-ring lenses in my arsenal: the ultra-wide RF 15-35mm USM and the legendary EF 100-400mm II (fondly called the “Big White Rabbit”).
Here’s how I structured my comprehensive evaluation:
1) Wide-angle showdown: Pitting the 24-105mm against the 15-35mm at 24mm
2) Telephoto test: Examining the 24-105mm at 105mm with and without UV filter
3) Zoom comparison: Matching the 24-105mm against the “Big White Rabbit” at 105mm
The results speak volumes – let’s dive into the visual evidence.
My hands-on assessment reveals:
1) While the RF 24-105mm USM delivers respectable center sharpness at wide-angle, its edge performance can’t quite match the specialized 15-35mm – an expected but noteworthy difference.
2) At telephoto range, the 24-105mm surprises by holding its own against the “Big White Rabbit,” demonstrating comparable sharpness across the frame – a remarkable achievement for a standard zoom.
3) UV filter users can breathe easy – image quality remains virtually unaffected with this lens.
Isabella Campbell 
Mason Jensen 
Gemma King
I’ve been considering the RF24-105mm lens for my kit, and your real-world tests really helped clarify its strengths—especially how well it handles both ends of the zoom range. The comparison with the RF 15-35mm and EF 100-400mm II was super insightful, though I still wonder how it performs in super low light situations.
I’ve been considering the RF24-105mm for travel photography—it seems like it strikes a great balance between versatility and image quality. The comparison with those other lenses was really helpful, especially understanding how it performs in real-world scenarios versus something like the 15-35mm or 100-400mm. I wonder how its sharpness holds up in low light situations—I’ll have to test it myself!
Great question! In low light, the RF24-105mm does a solid job maintaining sharpness, though results can vary depending on your aperture and subject distance. It’s not quite as fast as the 15-35mm, but its versatility makes it a fantastic choice for travel. Definitely test it yourself to see how it performs for your style! Thanks for engaging—happy shooting!
I’ve been debating between the RF 24-105mm and the RF 15-35mm for my next lens purchase. The 24-105mm really shines in versatility, especially for travel where you need to cover a lot of ground without changing glass constantly. It’s great to see how well it performs across such a wide focal range compared to those other heavy hitters. I wonder how it holds up in low light situations since that wasn’t mentioned.
Thank you for your insightful comment! The RF 24-105mm does handle low light reasonably well, thanks to its f/4 maximum aperture and effective image stabilization, which helps keep noise levels manageable. That said, if low-light performance is a top priority, the f/2.8 aperture of the RF 15-35mm might be worth considering. Ultimately, both lenses are excellent choices—your decision will depend on whether you prioritize ultra-wide versatility or standard zoom flexibility. Happy shooting!