Bought this lens instead of the Nikon 24-70 because it has VC and it's less expensive while still being made in Japan. Optically excellent performance, build quality is very good but the switches feel kinda cheap. I also own the Tamron 15-30 VC and I'm very happy with my purchases!

This lens is best for portrait type pictures. I took great pictures at a flower show.

Consistent Output; Fast / accurate auto-focus

At the time I bought this lens I needed a high quality 24-70mm f2.8 or faster, with vibration control. I shoot Canon products and read all the reviews. Canon came up short, and did not have a 24-70mm f2.8 with IS. Canon did have a f4 model, but I needed the extra stop.

This lens is amazing gear for potrait photography. Just got a new one and tried some shots, the results are amazing. The lens is very smooth and easy to handle. It gives a feel of possessing a valuable gear. A must have configuration for street and potrait photographers.

I bought this on the strength of various reviews in magazines. At the time I already owned the more expensive Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 lens, however I felt my Nikon 24-70 lens gave slightly underexposed results.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Image Stabilization; Lightweight; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

This is one of the best standard zoom lens that every serious full frame DSLR owner should have. And if you already have a full frame body, you should be a serious photographer. This is the most used zoom range for landscapes, indoors and parties.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Nice Bokeh

Heavy

This Lens isn't light but what do you expect from a 2.8 right Lens arrived super fast which was great and compliments my D610 very well. The picture quality from this lens is fantastic, I saw videos on youtube comparing this to the nikon, I was a little skeptical but now seeing it in action its...

Walk-around, portrait, and indoor lens with fast f/2.8 capability. Replaced (returned) the Sony Zeiss 28-70 f/2.8 for this lens because (a) it cost $ more, and (b) it was 'sloppy' when attached to my Sony SLT A99 at the lens/body interface...it moved at the extreme focal length ranges..

I took an egg away for the somewhat slow AF and lower image quality (Compared to the Canon). Don't get me wrong though: If you use stabilization a lot this is an excellent choice and bargain! The image quality honestly is quite good (just not as good as the Canon).

Vibration Compensation works great Fast 2.8 Accurate Auto-Focus (on my Canon T3i

Not as good image quality as the Canon 24-70 2.8L II (but close; I think it is at least as good as the Mark I) Auto-Focus seems slow, and not accurate good in AI Servo $1000 or so less than the Canon

Great build, feels strong, and weather sealing is good addition. VR is great for low light situation. Autofocus is slow in low light however, and image quality is not as crisp as the nikon.