Albert, The 70-200/2.8 IS is very good for a zoom. Very good. The benefits of this latest generation of IS technology far out weigh any other issue. I was never a big fan of Canon's more pastel feeling color until it came under my direct control through digital capture.
I am not a fan of the other two zooms you asked about ... especially the 24-70/2.8L. 24-70 is a very convenient focal range, so it is tempting. But after using one for a year I sold it. It's too big, and The 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 85/1.2 are all much better performers and sooooo much faster. The 16-35/2.8L is a necessary evil. There are no L lenses under 24mm except the 14mm, so the 16-35 is the only game in town if you want L level build, reasonable aperture speed and performance at the wide end of things. If you don't need the speed the 17-40/4 may be worth looking at. I haven't used that lens, but those who have swear by it.
I must say that the 16-35/2.8L was a quantum leap from the previous 17-35/2.8L. I tested the two side by side and sold my 17-35 the next day.
The only other choice is to hunt down the long discontinued 20-35/2.8L. My pal has one and I cannot get him to sell it to me. It is really good, just a bit slower focusing than the newer focusing motors in L lenses ... not an issue with that wide of a lens IMO.
I am not a fan of the other two zooms you asked about ... especially the 24-70/2.8L. 24-70 is a very convenient focal range, so it is tempting. But after using one for a year I sold it. It's too big, and The 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 85/1.2 are all much better performers and sooooo much faster. The 16-35/2.8L is a necessary evil. There are no L lenses under 24mm except the 14mm, so the 16-35 is the only game in town if you want L level build, reasonable aperture speed and performance at the wide end of things. If you don't need the speed the 17-40/4 may be worth looking at. I haven't used that lens, but those who have swear by it.
I must say that the 16-35/2.8L was a quantum leap from the previous 17-35/2.8L. I tested the two side by side and sold my 17-35 the next day.
The only other choice is to hunt down the long discontinued 20-35/2.8L. My pal has one and I cannot get him to sell it to me. It is really good, just a bit slower focusing than the newer focusing motors in L lenses ... not an issue with that wide of a lens IMO.