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The original EF 24 2.8 was in my bag for twenty years and due an upgrade. A few clicks and UPS deposited a new EF 24 2.8 IS USM on my doorstep. Here's my spiel on this able optic.

Equisetum hyemale | EOS Rebel SL1 and EF 24 2.8 IS USM | F8

This review consists of my opinions and observations as a hobbyist. No scientific measurements, MFT charts or pixel peeking comparisons will be found here.

Compatibility

The EF 24 2.8 IS USM works on all Canon EOS SLR and DSLR cameras, both full frame and APS-C (1.6X), such as the EOS 6D and Rebel SL3. It will also work on EOS R and M series mirrorless cameras with a mount adapter. It does not fit FD mount and non-Canon cameras such as Pentax, Nikon, Fuji, etc.

Construction

Construction feels durable and solid in hand: metal mount, quality plastics and silky manual focus. Although a little larger and heavier than the previous model, it's still small, light (280g) and takes the same size filters (58mm). The updated cosmetics and fingerprint resistant matte finish are attractive and professional in appearance.

EF 24 2.8 IS USM | Steady and sturdy (image courtesy Canon)

Image Quality

Wide open it delivers sharp images with smooth bokeh. Out of focus highlights are pleasantly smooth and round. Although tiny, this lens delivers perfectly round bokeh balls at F2.8 and F4.

Distant Bokeh | EOS Rebel SL1 & EF 24 2.8 IS USM at F4, 1/25 and ISO 400

Stopping down only slightly improves sharpness as it's already very sharp. There's a tiny amount of chromatic aberration (CA) in high contrast areas at F2.8, e.g., branches against a bright sky, but stopping down reduces it to nominal amounts. There's virtually no flare or ghosting in images of sunsets or streetlights. And distortion is well corrected, making it idea for architecture and artwork.

Light Falloff

There is a small amount of light falloff at F2.8. Stop down and light falloff is reduced or ewmoved. If you live at F2.8 and frequently include sweeping views of blue skies in your pictures, light falloff might be an issue, albeit it's easy to correct in DPP4 or Lightroom.

Coma What is coma? It's a flare-like aberration where sharp points of light, such as stars or street lights, are rendered as wing or comet shapes. The image on the right, cropped from the lower right of the scene below, exhibits a small amount of wing coma. At f/2.8, coma is mild and only noticeable in nightscapes with points of light on the periphery. By f/4, coma is essentially gone. Most of the time, I don't notice coma.

Harbor Lights | EOS Rebel SL1 & EF 24 2.8 IS USM at F2.8, 1/30 and ISO 200

The EF 24 2.8 IS USM is a significant improvement over the original EF 24 2.8: increased overall sharpness, less coma, silent and fast USM AF, and image stabilization. I also compared this lens to an EF-S 24 2.8 STM: optical quality is very similar on APS-C format, but of course, the STM prime lacks IS and can't be used on full-frame cameras.

Sake Hall | EOS Rebel SL1 and EF 24 2.8 IS USM at F2.8, 1/200 and ISO 400

Auto Focus

The ring-type USM yields blazing fast and silent AF on my EOS 6D MK II and 90D. AF accurately locks in any light I can see in. However, the 24 2.8 IS USM isn't the best choice for video with first generation movie servo enabled DLSRs like the SL1 and 70D. However, it focuses smooth with second generation movie servo, e.g., 77D, 80D, 90D and 6D MK II.

Green Leaf | EOS Rebel SL1 and EF 24 2.8 IS USM | F5.6

Macro and video buffs will love manual focus: well dampened, smooth, no slop/play and long throw for smooth transitions. Manual focus is always available—no focus by wire!—without flipping a switch or touching the shutter button: simply grab the well ribbed MF ring and turn. The front element doesn't rotate during AF operation, making polarizing filter use a breeze.

Image Stabilization

The inclusion of image stabilization (IS) kicked it over the top for me: three stops of slower hand holdable shutter speeds than I can normally muster. Canon's claim of four stops was a no-go for me. I suspect a more steady handed photographer might squeeze out that fourth stop. Nevertheless, with F2.8 and IS engaged and I can hand hold my camera and nail amazingly sharp images of evening street scenes, dim bars and stages.

Green 'n Blue | EOS Rebel SL1 and EF 24 2.8 IS USM

EW-65B Hood

A hood helps protect the front element from dust, fingerprints, doggie noses, rain and flare. The hood isn't included and Canon charges an unreasonable $50 for the EW-65B hood. So I bought the JJC HEW65B Lens Hood instead, a knockoff with 90% of OEM quality at 25% of OEM cost. Looks good, fits well and works great albeit no rayon flocking.

EW-65B Hood | Hood for the EF 24 2.8 IS USM (image courtesy Canon)

Last Blurb

The EF 24-2.8 IS USM came to be one of my favorite lenses for casino, restaurant, and beer hall snaps with APS-C cameras. Why? It's small and unintrusive, tack sharp at f/2.8 (I usually shoot wide open), IS keeps it steady after a few cold ones, and 24mm coverage is ideal for showing friends and family in their surroundings.

After a decade of using this lens on DSLRs, I tried it on my EOS R and R7. It worked perfectly in every way. However, using a small lens with an adapter sort of spoiled the compact vibe of this lens.

Seeing Red | EOS 90D and EF 24 2.8 IS USM at F6.3, 1/400 and ISO 100 | The .23x macro ability is close enough for medium sized flowers and flat art.

I find the moderately wide perspective—84 degrees on full frame—ideal for landscapes, architecture and showing a subject in its environment. On an APS-C DSLR—Rebel, 80D or 90D—this lens is between a semi-wide and normal perspective and makes a great walk around lens. It stayed mounted on my SL1 for months at a time. All in all an impressive optic and one I'll keep in my bag for a long time.

Finally, please help support this website by purchasing this lens at Amazon.

Features and Specs

• Focal Length: 24mm
• Aperture: F2.8 to 22
• Lens Construction: 11 elements in 9 groups
• Focusing System: ring-USM
• Min. Focusing Distance: 7.9 inches / 0.2m
• Maximum Magnification: .23x
• Angle of View (Diagonal): 84° (full frame)
• No. of Diaphragm Blades: 7
• Included Accessories: lens caps
• Made in Japan

• Diameter and Length: 2.69 x 2.19 inches / 68.4 x 55.7mm
• Weight: 9.9oz / 280g

• $599 (new)

Image Samples

09/16/2014 | Revised 10/20/2026