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Canon EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Fast Focusing Zoom for Video and Stills

Peter Kun Frary

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My new EOS 6D MK II came with a kit lens, the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM. I planned to sell the kit lens, but, after a test shoot, I was pleasantly surprised with the image quality and kept it. Here are my thoughts about the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM.

Pigeon Roost | EOS 6D MK II and EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Canon EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM | Photo courtesy Canon Inc.

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 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM, released in Fall 2014, is the first full-frame STM zoom from Canon. It is compatible with all Canon EOS DSLR cameras, e.g., 6D, 5D MK IV, Rebel SL3, and 90D. It is reputed to work on Canon EOS SLR (film) cameras, e.g., EOS 1N or EOS 5, albeit I have not tested such a combination. With a mount adapter, it will also work on EOS R and M series mirrorless cameras. 

Construction

The EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM feels reasonably solid in hand, sporting excellent fit and finish, sturdy plastics, firm AF and IS switches and metal mount. With that said, it is not built to the same level of sturdiness and weather sealing as an L-series zoom but is comparable to quality consumer zooms such as the EF-s 18-135 3.5-5.6 IS USM and EF-s 15-85 3.5-5.6 IS USM.

The stripped down cosmetics are reminiscent of a Goth travel mug: no gold or red decorative rings, DOF markings, or distance scale. The silk-screened zoom numbers and model typefaces look dated and clash with the industrial Goth vibe. It is lighter and smaller than the EF 24-105 4L IS USM and EF 24-105 4L IS USM II.

Zoom Action

The twist action zoom ring is large, covered with ribbed rubber, and well damped. It takes a mere quarter turn to cover the entire zoom range. A single nested barrel extends, adding about 2 inches in length when cranked out to 105mm. Although zoom action is reasonably smooth, it isn't as smooth as the EF 24-105 4L IS USM or EF 24-70 4L IS USM. Similar to other consumer-grade Canon zooms, it produces a soft “clunk” when quickly racked out to the end of the zoom range. 

After years of use, I've experienced no zoom creep, even when pointed upwards during long exposures. However, a zoom lock is provided, just in case.

Soft Light | EOS 6D MK II and EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Auto Focus

Prior to the release of this lens, all STM zooms were EF-s, i.e., for APS-C cameras only. The advantage of a STM motor is it allows smooth focus pulls and movie servo with Dual Pixel cameras such as the 5D MK IV and 6D MK II. The AF motor drives an internal lens group and the front element doesn't rotate or extend during focusing. STM lives up to the marketing hype: smooth as silk for pulls and movie servo but not as fast as Ring USM for stills. With that said, the AF of this lens is reasonably peppy and should be fine for most shooting save for high speed sports.

Rose in Soft Light | EOS 6D MK II and EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Manual Focus by Wire

Manual focus (MF) is possible without switching out of AF mode: simply grip and turn. MF is, of course, motor driven so the shutter button must be half depressed for manual focus to work (and enabled in the menus). The focus ring, while thinner than the EF 24-105 4L IS USM's ring, is wide and easy to grab for pulls. Distance and DOF scales are MIA, so hyperfocal distance can't be set.

Kremona Mari Ukulele | EOS 6D MK II and EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Image Quality

Initially my lens was soft with the 45-point AF system of the 6D MK II. Live View (Dual Pixel AF) was tack sharp so I figured an AFMA, Autofocus Microadjustment, session was in order. I used the Dot Tune Method to adjust AFMA, yielding accurate results faster than judging dozens of test chart images. This particular lens required +8 at 24mm and 105mm to be critically sharp. This lens was very sharp once micro-adjusted. When adapted to a Canon R series camera, AFMA is not needed for critical sharpness.

Naturally, I compared it to my old EF 24-105 4L IS USM and, to my surprise, sharpness, color and contrast are very close. Both are slightly soft in the corners but sharp center frame.

Wee Yellow Things | EOS 6D MK II and EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM | Bokeh and rendering of out of focus highlights are pleasing for a zoom.

In some aspects the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM is better than its L-series counterpart: less light fall off, flare and barrel distortion. Oddly, this lens slightly bested the older L lens at 24mm and F4 in terms of CA control and edge sharpness. It focuses slightly closer, .4m compared to .45m. Flare control is excellent: blazing sunsets result in little or no ghosting and flare. Chromatic aberration (CA) is also well controlled: nil CA at 24 mm but CA gradually increases as zoomed toward 105 mm. At 105 mm, magenta fringing is most visible on high contrast edges in the frame corners.

Like the EF 24-105 4L IS USM, the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM isn't a macro lens. The .4m minimum focus distance (a little over 12 inches) translates to only .3x lifesize magnification, but is close enough for large flowers. If you want a general purpose zoom with better macro ability, check out the the EF 24-70 4L IS USM.

Morning Dew on Plumbago | EOS 6D MK II and EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Image Stabilization

Rated at four stops of image stabilization (IS), this lens easily bests the IS of the EF 24-105 4L IS USM. Sharp images three stops below my normal hand held shutter speed are the norm. To squeeze out four stops I usually have to brace myself against something and gently squeeze the shutter button as I exhale. There isn’t a panning switch for IS mode but it detects panning and compensates accordingly.

Lens Hood

The Canon EW-83M is a locking bayonet lens hood designed to protect this lens from stray light, doggie noses and raindrops. Sadly, it's not included and is available for a cringe worthy 35 shekels. If you have an EW-83L or EW-83H hood lying around they also fit and work perfectly with the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM. In fact, the EW-83H, designed for the EF 24-105 4L IS USM, is slightly deeper, providing a wee bit better flare and raindrop protection.

To install, align the Canon logo at 9:00, press into the groove and twist clockwise a quarter turn until it clicks into place. Although it twists on easily, it feels snug once seated and locked. The lock prevents the hood from working loose due to rubbing or light whacks. To release, simply press the lock tab and turn counterclockwise.

Fit and finish are excellent: quality plastic, fingerprint resistant matte black exterior and flat black interior to nix reflections (paint, not rayon flocking). Plus, the exterior finish is perfectly matched to the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. The hood can be reverse mounted for compact storage.

The EW-83M works fine but is pricey considering Canon omitted rayon flocking and moved production offshore (Taiwan) to reduce costs. However, inexpensive clones of the EW-83M are readily available on Amazon and Ebay if you can live without the Canon logo. Also, the EW-83N hood, used on the RF 24-105 4L IS USM, fits this lens perfectly.

Selfie | EOS 6D MK II, EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM and studio lights

Who Is This Lens For?

The 4.4X zoom range of wide to short telephoto and the compact size make the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM well suited for general use and travel. Plus, optical quality is on par with the EF 24-105 4L IS USM—in some aspects slightly better. Of course, the L lens is built better and weather sealed, but lacks video-friendly STM AF. If you shoot both video and stills, the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM is the lens for you. Not only is it lighter and smaller than Canon's L series EF 24-105 zooms, but it is the only STM zoom available for full-frame DSLRs. If you need weather sealing and a more bulletproof build, the L version is a better choice.

If you often shoot in nasty weather, the EF 24-105 4L IS USM is a better choice due to the beefy build and weather seals. And, if styling matters to you, the L zoom is more attractively designed and sports a larger MF ring and distance scale.

Final Blurb

This lens pioneered many attributes found on next-generation RF zooms: STM AF, spartan Goth exterior, elimination of distance and DOF scales, compact design, and manual focus by wire. Despite being optically on par with Canon's EF 24-105 4L IS USM series, the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM never achieved the popularity of its L siblings. The plain appearance—no red ring!—lack of weather seals, and variable aperture made it less appealing. While new stock would be tough to find in 2026, this lens is readily available on the used market at bargain prices.

I liked this lens so much that it replaced my old EF 24-105 4L IS USM. While the minor gains in optical quality were welcome, the ultra-smooth Movie Servo put it over the top for me. The smaller size and weight were a nice bonus. Coupled with the EOS 6D MK II or 5D MK IV, the EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM makes a wonderfully versatile and nimble travel and walk-around combo. 

Features and Specs

• Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 24-105 mm f/3.5–5.6

• Lens Construction: 17 elements in 13 groups

• Two aspheric and one UD element

• Diagonal Angle of View: 84° - 23° 20'

• Aperture Range: Wide f 3.5-36

• Number of Aperture Blades: 7

• Autofocus: STM (stepping motor) AF with full-time manual

• Inner focusing system (no front element extension or rotation for focus)

• Closest Focusing Distance: 16 in. | 0.4m

• Filter Size: 77mm diameter

• Diameter x Length: 83.4 x 104 mm

• Weight: 525 g

• Dedicated hood: EW-83M

Sample Images | Click to enlarge

01/06/2018 | Updated 08/22/2026