How to shoot with a 24-70mm Lens

For years I’ve shot the 35/85 combo. I love my prime lenses. They’re lightweight, sharp, fast, and compact.

But when I’m freezing my toes off on the side of a mountain during a ski shoot or trying to photograph the most fast-paced chaotic “I’m a super laid-back bride and therefore didn’t plan” wedding, I sometimes can’t change lenses fast enough.

Enter the 24-70. This lens is a versatile powerhouse, in this post I’ll share why. I’ll also compare it to other lenses like the 50mm and 70-200mm, and give you some practical tips for getting the best shots with it.

If you’re lens shopping, here are the links to my top recommendations:

For the best quality, get the 24-70 f/2.8 G-Master II. Buy on Amazon here.
For a more budget-friendly option, check out the Sigma 24-70, version 1 or 2. Buy on Amazon here.

Why the 24-70mm Lens?

So, why the 24-70mm lens? Well, this lens is the epitome of versatility. It’s one of those lenses that you can take everywhere and know you’re covered, whether you’re capturing a very wide open landscape or a tight portrait.

What I love most about this lens is its ability to zoom across a wide range of focal lengths—from 24mm, which is wide enough to capture expansive scenes, to 70mm, which is perfect for tighter, more intimate shots. You don’t have to swap lenses, which makes this a great all-in-one lens for travel, events, and even weddings.

It’s a workhorse. The 24-70mm allows you to be ready for anything without constantly adjusting your gear, which is why it’s a go-to lens for many professional and amateur photographers.

Comparing the 24-70mm Zoom Lens to other Lenses

Now let’s talk about how the 24-70mm compares to some of my other favorites, like the 50mm and the 70-200mm. I think the most real-world question is would I use the 24-70 or a handful of prime lenses instead? Do I want to swap lenses or spin the zoom ring?

50mm Prime Lens VS 24-70mm Zoom Lens

First, the 50mm lens. The 50mm has a great shallow depth of field and is perfect for isolating subjects. However, it’s fixed focal length is limiting if you want more flexibility in a dynamic situation or more variety in your images. The 24-70mm, on the other hand, lets you easily adjust your composition on the fly without having to change lenses. (Ding: pro tip) Beware of zooming to frame. Some people just spin the zoom ring rather than intentionally picking a focal length and intentionally deciding on framing.

70-200mm Zoom Lens VS 24-70mm Zoom Lens

Then, there’s the 70-200mm lens, which is fantastic for portraits, especially at the longer end. But, as much as I love it, it’s a bit bulky and limiting if you’re in tight spaces. The 24-70mm gives you some of that flexibility with a more manageable size. Plus, it’s a zoom lens that covers both wide and telephoto focal lengths, so you get the best of both worlds.

35/85/50mm Prime Lens Combo VS 24-70mm Zoom Lens

A real world comparison is that I might pick the 24-70mm lens or I might take my 35, 50, and 85 prime lenses. The real deciding factor to me is if I want bokeh and if I’m shooting in low light. If the answer to both of those questions is no, then the 24-70 makes more sense for the ease of not having to change lenses. Otherwise I need a low aperture zoom like the Sony 28-70 f/2.0 which runs $3000 verses the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 which is closer to $900.

Tips for Shooting the 24-70mm Zoom Range

Okay, so now let’s talk about some tips for getting the most out of your 24-70mm lens. These tips will help you with your photography in general but is great for understanding the 24-70 zoom range. Whether you’re considering a new lens or want to shoot better with the one you have, let’s explore the power that that zoom ring gives you.

Just make sure you know the zoom ring from the focus ring. The zoom ring zooms while the focus ring is for using manual focus. It probably goes without saying that you’ll use the zoom ring more than the focus ring!

Tip #1: Use the Zoom Range to Tell a Story

One of the best things about a zoom lens is how you can use different focal lengths to convey different feelings and perspectives. At 24mm, you can show the vastness of a scene, while at 70mm, you can zoom in to highlight a subject or create compression for more dramatic portraits. You might use it at 24mm for an establishing shot or scene-setting shot. Then you’ll get a clean isolated subject shot at 70mm. Finally, you’ll capture some mid-range storytelling at 50mm.

Tip #2: Be Mindful of Distortion at the Wide End

When you’re shooting at 24mm, you might encounter some distortion, especially when shooting up close. Be mindful of how your subject is framed—avoid getting too close to your subject, especially at the edges of the frame, to prevent them from looking stretched out. And keep your lens level and squared up to the scene for the best results.

Tip #3: Switch to a Wider Aperture for Portraits

The 24-70mm isn’t known for producing extreme bokeh like 50mm or 85mm, but you can still create beautiful background blur by opening up to the f/2.8 aperture (if you’re shooting with a version that has that aperture). The key here is to zoom in a bit and focus on your subject’s eyes. This works especially well when you want that professional, shallow depth of field look. Another tip to maximize bokeh is to get as close to your subject as possible with a background that’s far away from your subject. You’ll get more bokeh at 70mm than 24.

Tip #4: Stabilize for Sharper Shots

The 24-70mm is heavy enough to cause some slight handshake, especially at slower shutter speeds. So, if you’re shooting handheld, try to stabilize yourself by bracing against something or using a wider stance. If your camera or lens has built-in stabilization, make sure it’s enabled.

Tip #5: Use it Like a Prime

Whenever I’m talking about zoom lenses, I always remind you to use them like a prime. Intentionally select the focal length you want to shoot with. Then, move your body into position for effective framing. Standing stationary and just spinning the zoom ring to take pictures of different things won’t elevate your skills the way that making intentional compositions will. This is why we encourage beginners to try a prime lens, the constraints of learning various focal lengths is important to develop your photographic eye.

Tip #6: Don’t forget your composition techniques

Since I’m hounding you to use intentional composition, it’s probably important that you use your composition technique to maximize the effectiveness of your photos. What is the impact you want or expect your photo to have? How do you want it to feel to the viewer? Maybe you’re filling the frame even at a wide focal length or maybe you’re leaving white space even at 70mm.

Tip #7: Don’t forget to switch lenses when the time comes

Don’t get stuck shooting the 24-70 assuming that it’s your all-in-one lens solution. If you’ve only ever owned a mid-range zoom, it’s time to try a prime or a super wide angle or a telephoto lens. A cheap 50mm might be just what you need to mix it up and add some creativity to your shots.

Why I Resisted Shooting with the 24-70

Let’s talk about why I resist shooting with the 24-70. One reason is that when I first started shooting we were on Canon DSLRs and the Canon 24-70 was notoriously terrible. It wasn’t very sharp, it was expensive, it was heavy and slow in low light. Especially when the old Canon DSLRs didn’t have the low-light capabilities of recent cameras.

“Back in the day” which isn’t that long ago with how fast cameras evolve, shooting fast primes was all the rage. They were everything that the 24-70 wasn’t.

As our business grew, camera gear improved, and our needs expanded, we had to let go of old beliefs in order to determine what the best lenses for our needs were TODAY. Am I working hard to change my prime lenses all day when the 24-70 is just as good now? Or do I really appreciate how compact those lenses are?

24-70mm a Game Changer?

Personally, the 24-70 is a game changer for video. When we started shooting more photo/video hybrid work, the flexibility of a zoom lens became more important than how lightweight the lenses are.

If I’m just shooting photos I might shoot a two-camera set-up but that’s less likely with a video set-up where you have a microphone or gimbal or other video accessories.

So, yes, I still shoot my 35, 50, 85 primes.

But I also shoot the 24-70.

We seem to use the fact that we’re a husband and wife team as an excuse to have more gear but the reality is we have different set-ups for different scenarios that we deal with.

24-70 lenses that I recommend

Looking for a new lens? I’m happy to share my favorite lens options from the 24 70mm f 2.8 to a more budget-friendly option. These are all recommendations for full-frame cameras. If you’re not shooting on a full frame body you’ll want to make sure you get the right lens for your camera.

From Sony, I recommend a couple of purchase options that I’ll share below.

For the best quality, get the 24-70 f/2.8 G-Master II. Buy on Amazon here.

For a more budget-friendly option, check out the Sigma 24-70, version 1 or 2. Buy on Amazon here.

If budget isn’t a concern you can get the low aperture version.

Avoid the 24-70 f/4 from several years back. There are also some 28-70 options that sound good but going from 24 to 28mm is a bit limiting.

For Canon, of course you are a bit more limited if you are using the latest mirrorless RF mount. There is currently only one option, the 24-70 f/2.8.

If you’re on another brand or want a specific lens recommendation, leave a comment below and Marc will get back to you.

Summary of Shooting with the 24-70mm

To sum it up, the 24-70mm is an incredibly versatile lens for any photographer. It’s great for capturing everything from sweeping landscapes to tight, intimate portraits. And while it’s not the absolute best for extreme background blur or ultra-wide shots, it does a little bit of everything, and it does it very well making it a great first lens for beginners or workhorse for professionals.

It’s the kind of lens I’d recommend for anyone looking for an all-around performer. If you’re a wedding photographer, traveler, or event shooter, this lens is one to consider. It’s fast, reliable, and works in almost any scenario. If you prefer lightweight, compact, prime lenses you might end up with the 35/85 combo instead.

If you’re thinking about adding the 24-70mm to your gear collection or just curious about how to make the most of your lens, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

About the Authors

We’re the Bergreens, a photography team based in Evergreen Colorado. On the blog, we share our favorite gear tips and photography advice.

Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love or our free money and gear guide for photographers. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help! If we link to a product we love, Amazon links are affiliate links.

In the meantime, remember to…

How to shoot with a 24-70mm Lens | The ONLY Lens You Need for EVERY Shot?!

Why the 24-70mm Lens?