Canon USA has today confirmed a lens which has been rumoured (and seen elsewhere) for some time. The new white bodied EF 70-200mm f/2.8L has a new improved IS (Image Stablisation) function as well as dust and moisture resistance which you would expect of an 'L' lens. On the EOS-D30 this lens would provide the equivelent focal length range of 112 - 320 mm. This beast of a lens weighs in at 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) and will have a street price of US$ 3,000 when it reaches the shops in September.

Press release:

Canon Makes the Most Versatile Zoom Lens Even Better With the Introduction of the New EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM With Image Stabilization

Improved IS Technology, High-Resolution, and Dust and Moisture Resistance Make this New Lens the Perfect All-Purpose Lens For Professionals and Serious Amateurs

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2001-- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ - news), continues to provide professional photographers and serious amateurs with the highest quality products with the introduction of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Image Stabilizing lens for the company's market-leading line of EOS autofocus SLRs.

Canon expects its new lens, with fixed f/2.8 aperture, L-series optics and Image Stabilizing technology to become the best-selling model in its category.

The optical system of the new lens is based on the current EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM and retains the same outstanding level of image quality, while adding a new high-performance Image Stabilizer function. In addition, the new lens also incorporates an improved high-performance vibration gyro sensor for maintaining the lens' compact design, moisture- and dust-resistant construction in critical areas for greater performance in adverse shooting conditions, and several other significant improvements compared to the original EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, which will remain in Canon's EF lens line-up.

"Canon is committed to finding new ways to provide its customers with the very latest in imaging technology,'' said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager of Canon's Photographic Products Group. "Combining Image Stabilizing technology with extremely fast and high-quality optics gives photographers the necessary tools to excel in their craft.''

The new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is a professional telephoto zoom lens with high contrast and high resolving power. It is constructed using the finest optics including four UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) glass elements designed to correct chromatic aberrations, resulting in extremely sharp images with excellent color rendition. Powered by Canon's exclusive Ultrasonic (USM) motor for autofocusing, the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM is silent in operation and very quick to focus, even in low-light conditions. The new lens also offers full-time manual focus, making it ideal for many photographic applications including sports, photojournalism, portraits, and landscapes.

Designed to maintain a consistent aperture ratio of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens provides photographers with tremendous shooting flexibility. This feature makes it the optimum choice for location and sports photographers who need an assortment of fast lenses but can not afford to weigh themselves down with excessive gear.

The lens employs a newly designed Image Stabilizer mechanism that uses an improved method of holding the barrel of the supplementary optical system, providing smoother movement than in previous IS systems. This results in image stabilization up to approximately 3 stops compared to the 2-stop stabilization effect of previous Canon IS lenses. Additionally, the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM's Image Stabilizer function can be used to eliminate the image-blurring effects of mirror bounce even when the lens is used on a tripod or monopod.

Other improvements include a reduced minimum focusing distance of 1.4m/4.6 ft., a newly developed aperture diaphragm that remains virtually circular from f/2.8 to f/5.6 for enhanced image quality, and a revised AF drive circuit and autofocusing algorithm for superior AF speed when used with current high-end EOS SLRs.

Additionally, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM features weather-resistant construction in the mount area, switch panel, zoom ring and focusing ring to prevent water and dust from reaching the inside of the lens. This design philosophy matches the performance of the EOS-1V professional camera and makes the new lens usable in a wider range of adverse shooting conditions.

When using EF Extenders, autofocus is available throughout the entire zoom range of the lens and the Image Stabilizing feature remains functional. The new EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens will be supplied with a pro-quality lens pouch and dedicated lens hood. It will be available at authorized Canon dealers in September and have a suggested list price of $3,000.