24-70 is a good solid general purpose lens. Sometimes astoundingly good. But, if you need telephoto reach, it isn't it. Then again, general purpose doesn't usually mean telephoto, though I guess if that's mainly what you do, then, well that would be, wouldn't it?


My 24-70 stays on my 5D most of the time. 70-200 after that, then 16-35, I believe.


24-105 is a good choice too. Little more reach, has IS, wee bit slower with less potential bokeh, but quite solid all around, and it's far smaller!. Forced to choose between the two, I'd still keep the 24-70, but I wouldn't want to give up the 24-105. Sometimes, it's more useful.