Why has Canon Abandoned F/2.8?

rrccad wrote:

DavidNJ100 wrote:

rrccad wrote:

DavidNJ100 wrote:

A basic set of lenses consists of three zooms. For Nikon those were 12-24, 24-70, and 70-200 F2.8 zooms. For Canon they have been a 16-35, 24-70, and 70-200 F2.8 zooms. In both cases only the 70-200 have IS. Tamron and Sigma have 24-70 and 70-200 F2.8 zooms. Tamron has a 15-30 zoom coming out early next year.

Canon introduced the 70-200 in 2010 and the 24-70 in 2012

both lenses are best in class - the 24-70 II and the 70-200 II.

the only lens that needs an update from the 2.8 lens lineup is the 16-35mm.

Yes...but so far they created a 16-35/4 IS and now an 11-24/4. Where is the 16-35/2.8 III?

it's 7 years since it came out, the usual rule of thumb is around 10 years time - so soon.

it certainly wasn't going to get replaced on your mental timeline.

The F/2.8 zooms have been each manufacturer's premium lenses. Both Nikon and Canon had F4 lines also where the lenses were smaller, lighter, and less expensive. But the highest IQ was with the premium F/2.8 lenses.

With the 11-24 Canon has introduced two premium F4 wide angle zooms without updating its F2.8 offering. Sony introduced its entire FE zoom line as F4 lenses. Nikon's 14-24 sells well and is still the sharpest wide angle zoom on Nikon and as sharp as nearly all Nikon's primes in its focal length range. Tamron's 15-30 with 7 year newer technology in an area that has been advancing by leaps and bounds might even be sharper.

Note the Nikon and Tamron are about 1.1kg...heavy...and their designers and product managers thought that was the right trade off for the premium wide angle zoom market. When I reach for a lens, IQ is my first concern within a focal length/aperture range. In most cases I'll grab a heavier slower lens with a better IQ or a less than perfect focal length for a better IQ. People who view the image see the IQ and don't know the aperture or focal length.