Wow, How did Canon fowl this up? Surely they are listening to some photographers, Im just not sure which ones. Like most of the folks on TDP, I too was surprised and dissapointed that the new 24-70 didn't have IS; and at $2k+, who are they going to sell this beast too? So I started thinking:

1. 95% of all my shooting is done from a tripod when it is usually recommended to turn IS off. Even If I am not shooting from a tripod, I usually stabilize from something else such as a monopod, sandbag or the hood of my truck.

2. IQ has become the defining benefit of all of my lens choices. I don't care how heavy, what features it has or even what the filter size is as long as it is capable of producing high quality resolution---I am willing to practice and develop new skills to overcome "feature shortcomings" as long as the IQ is top notch.

So, I would actually consider this new lens if I was convinced that the IQ was $1000 better than the old 24-70 ( I'll have to see this to believe it).

I have been shopping for a good walk around and was really hoping that the new 24-70 would meet that need. I have had a 24-105L but I wasn't satsified with the the IQ or the maximum aperature---so I sold mine to my boss, which is why I am back in the market for a walk around lens. For now, My walk around lens is a 50L or my 100-400 if I am hoping to find critters. Until, someone else really impresses me with the new 24-70, I am going to have to pass and seriously consider an old 24-70.

Just my 2cw