The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM was announced in August 2005 as a lightweight standard zoom lens for professionals. Introduced on the same day as the EOS 5D, it's an ideal match for Canon's 'affordable' full frame body, although equally suited to other full-frame bodies including the 1Ds Mark II and 35mm models.

It's also compatible with Canon's other digital SLRs, although models with smaller APS-C sensors, such as the 30D, 20D, 10D and 350D / Rebel XT, will effectively deliver a focal length equivalent to 38.4-168mm. In this review we'll test the lens with the 5D, so from this point on will refer to its intended 24-105mm coverage on a full-frame body; look out for a new review of the lens with a 400D / XTi soon. 

With a 24-105mm focal length, the lens delivers a 4.3x optical zoom range from wide angle to short telephoto. As such it's an ideal general purpose lens suited to capturing both wide landscapes and tighter portrait work.

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