Canons latest lens releases

[ffabrici]

My expectation is that if Canon wants to improve the value of the optically already excellent 300L II, 400L II, 500L II or 600L II, it must be related to faster AF, lower weight and/or new video focused features.

Sony is pushing the envelope with their new 400mm f/2.8 which is using a linear AF motor, maybe focusing faster than Canon and Nikon's versions. The Sony lens design reduces the weight and the front-heavy imbalance of current super tele lenses.

Video photographers are not happy about the current placement of the power AF ring towards the front of the lens and the AF stop buttons - they want it at the rear end. Mounted on a tripod, such a placement would be easier to reach (worst on 600mm and 800mm btw) and the front placement of the controls introduces maximum shake when you operate them rather than if they were placed near the camera. I guess that Canon has placed the controls where they currently are assuming that the lenses were to be used handheld.

 

[BirdShooter7]

Canon already shifted the weight back quite a bit with the Mk2's. They are actually quite well balanced now.

 

[ffabrici]

I know the current Canon designs have improved balance compared to the previous versions, mainly done by removing the front protection element and by using two fluorite elements instead of one. Sony has simply gone one step further.

Sony's 400mm f/2.8 weighs 2.9 kg whereas Canon's weighs 3.85 kg, a whopping 25% weight reduction. Sony's 400mm is equipped with 3 fluorite elements whereas Canon's has two fluorite elements. Most of the weight reduction in the Sony design has been done in the front end.

Sony is hitting Canon right in solar plexus with their 400mm f/2.8 and they need to react.

 

[Doug J]

Hi all,

So this year Canon released updated versions of their 70-200 line-up and last year they updated the 24-105 and these updates for the most part do not improve the optical qualities of the lenses (the 70-200 f4 IS II and 24-105 f4 IS II didn't show any sharpness improvements and the 70-200 f2.8 IS III only got new coatings...).

Canon Rumors posted someting about two new big white version III lenses coming, and I mean why not? New lenses are always a good thing right!

There are two things bothering me though: what do these lenses need (300mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm) to be improved? Optically they are stellar, so basically we're going to see the same trick: new coatings and a whiter paint...

The second thing is why update these lenses? I would love to replace my 135 f2 L with a newer 2018 35 1.4 II or 85 f1.4 IS like lens with IS and newer sharper optics. I would also like to see a 50 f1.4 L, or a 24 f1.4 III or even a 14 f2.8 II.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it realistic to hope for these lens updates or is canon leaving their old prime lineup untouched for a decade longer?

 

[BirdShooter7]

Do you actually use these lenses on a regular basis?

 

[BirdShooter7]

Right, I don't know if this is accurate or not but I have been told that the 7 years of support is required by law. I'm not saying this is the case but I could conceive of a scenario where new models are introduced to get that 7 year clock started to limit supply on the used market (once support ends) that would help stimulate sales of new lenses.

 

[BlueRay2]

That certainly doesn't mean Canon won't do it. It will be interesting to see what happens but my money would be 300mm f/2.8 III and its 400mm twin.

 

[BirdShooter7]

There is certainly room for improvement, I think it is just a matter of if Canon thinks it makes financial sense to make improvements at this time. We will know more soon I think.

 

[dgumshu]

I think after the sony 400 f2.8 canon will need to make their big whites lighter, which I can see as being a priority

 

[BirdShooter7]

That would be so nice I don't want to get my hopes up.

 

[ffabrici]

Yes I do.

We all praised Canon for their latest generation of much improved super tele lenses due to their improved optics, faster AF, mode 3 stabilization, improved coatings and LOWER WEIGHT. Sony has now taken a step further forward and Canon has to follow at some point in time.

95% of my gear is Canon and I'm not bashing Canon or the super teles I posses - I'm just listing the facts supporting my argumentation.

 

[BirdShooter7]

Thanks, your posts just sounded a bit extreme to me, like those from someone without actual experience, thanks for clarifying.

 

[BlueRay2]

Yes I do.

We all praised Canon for their latest generation of much improved super tele lenses due to their improved optics, faster AF, mode 3 stabilization, improved coatings and LOWER WEIGHT. Sony has now taken a step further forward and Canon has to follow at some point in time.

95% of my gear is Canon and I'm not bashing Canon or the super teles I posses - I'm just listing the facts supporting my argumentation.

it is all true, but whether changes are worth it for someone that already has the rev.2 or not is the question. i have the canon 300 f2.8 II and 600 f4.0 II and if i see the changes in rev. III are minuscule and cosmetic, then i'll stay put and continue enjoying my existing big primes!

 

[ffabrici]

You are most welcome!

It will be very interesting to see what Canon will come up with.

They must have known about the Sony release for a while if they are close to market new versions of their super tele lenses.

 

[ffabrici]

I will not upgrade - I'm happy with mine, but if you buy for the first time, are travelling a lot with your super tele lenses or are upgrading from EF400mm IS version 1 then the Sony offering might be too tempting.

 

[Morvegil]

Lol.

The new lenses also have quieter motors (HUGE FOR VIDEO), quicker AF, better IS, Better Coatings against flare....etc. Go watch some of the youtube reviews.

It just isn't new paint.

 

[BirdShooter7]

It also doesn't hurt that the latest Nikon versions are lighter also, if only by a small amount.

 

[ffabrici]

Nikon just started offering super teles with fluorite lens elements and I think their latest iterations are newer than the current Canon lenses, so it will hurt Nikon even more than Canon if they need to release new light weight versions. Ramping up fluorite production capacity is not a swift operation.

 

[BlueRay2]

Nikon just started offering super teles with fluorite lens elements and I think their latest iterations are newer than the current Canon lenses, so it will hurt Nikon even more than Canon if they need to release new light weight versions. Ramping up fluorite production capacity is not a swift operation.

bring them on, baby :-D consumers are the big beneficiaries of this competition among these manufacturers. if they only could reduce those huge prices, also!

 

[Doug J]

Right, I don't know if this is accurate or not but I have been told that the 7 years of support is required by law. I'm not saying this is the case but I could conceive of a scenario where new models are introduced to get that 7 year clock started to limit supply on the used market (once support ends) that would help stimulate sales of new lenses.

AFAIK it's not a legal requirement, maybe it is in some countries I'm not aware of. The clock also starts when the product is discontinued and no longer available for sale. The company I worked for, different industry, had the same policy world wide.


Cheers,
Doug