The Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is a very lightweight full-frame do-everything zoom for all Canon EOS digital and 35mm autofocus cameras. It performs especially well.
This lens is becoming more popular because it is much smaller, lighter and easier to zoom than the big expensive 24-105mm f/4 L IS.
This 24-85mm has great ergonomics; just slide the small but grippy focus ring for instant manual-focus override at any time.
This Canon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 is also marvelous for use with ultralight 35mm EOS cameras.
This 24-85mm is sharp.
This 24-85mm is especially prized for its 24mm ability, build quality and low price and weight.
Compatibility and Formats
This lens is optimized for 35mm film and full-frame digital, and of course works on all 1.3x and 1.6x Canon cameras.
This Canon EF EOS 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 works perfectly with every Canon EOS camera ever made, meaning every Canon DSLR and every Canon autofocus 35mm camera made since 1987.
As a full-frame lens, this works on all Canon SLRs, regardless of format.
Specifications
Name
Canon calls this the CANON ZOOM LENS EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 ULTRASONIC.
EF means "electronic focus," meaning that there is an autofocus motor in the lens itself. All Canon lenses since 1987 have been EF.
ULTRASONIC means USM, which means you may grab the focus ring at any time for instant, silent manual focus override.
Optics
15 elements in 12 groups.
One aspherical element.
Internal focus; nothing moves externally as focused.
The front group moves in and out as zoomed.
Multi-group zooming.
Angle of View (on 35mm and full-frame cameras)
84º ~ 28.5º diagonal.
53º ~ 16º vertical.
74º ~ 24 º horizontal.
Close Focus
1.64 feet (0.5m) from the image plane, specified.
Maximum Reproduction Ratio
1:6.25.
Diaphragm
6 blades.
Stops down to f/22-32.
Focus Scale
Yes.
The ring turns from infinity to the closest focus distance in about 90.º
Depth-of-Field Scale
No.
Infra-Red Focus Indices
Yes, marks for 24, 28, 35, 50, 70 and 85mm focal lengths.
These marks are probably for the 800 nm wavelength.
Minimum Field
6.2 x 9.2 inches.
Filter Thread
67mm.
Size
Canon specifies 2.9" (73mm) diameter by 2.7" (69.5mm) long.
Weight
13.1 oz. (380g).
Performance
Overall
The Canon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 is a well-made, great-handling lens with great optics.
Autofocus is fast and almost silent.
Auto/Manual Switching
Just grab the focus ring for instant manual-focus override.
You never need to touch the AF-MF switch unless you want to lock-out autofocus.
AF Speed
AF is fast!, as Canons always are.
AF Accuracy and Consistency
AF accuracy is fineI.
Manual Focus
Manual focus is easy; just move the ring.
Focus breathing (the image changing size as focused) is mostly of interest to cinematographers who don't want the image changing size ("breathing") as the lens is focused among different subjects.
The image from the Canon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 gets smaller as focused more closely.
Color Rendition
The color balance of this 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 matches my other Canon EF lenses.
Ergonomics are just about perfect. Everything just works without any silly lock-outs or levers to move.
Everything feels and works great.
The zoom ring moves fast. It's only a little closely spaced at the wide end, still much better than the very cramped 24-105mm's zoom ring.
Focus is via a very well placed and grippy ring. There is no "macro" range; it focuses to 0.5m at all settings.
Maximum | Minimum | |
24mm | f/4 | f/22 |
28mm | f/3.5 | f/22 |
35mm | f/4 | f/25 |
50mm | f/4 | f/29 |
70mm | f/4.5 | f/32 |
85mm | f/4.5 | f/32 |
Recommendations
Want a super-lightweight, low-cost, high-performance all-purpose zoom for your full-frame Canon?
Shooting a 5D Mark IV or 35mm film EOS Rebel?
Heading out for an around-the-world budget trip, or backpacking?
Just about everything else, this could be your lens.
This 24-85/3.5-4.5 is a lightweight, very well built, handy and well-performing lens.