Canon announced new EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM II lens today!

[mjs1973]

I have been waiting for this announcement and today Canon made it official. They have updated the very popular 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. They claim improved sharpness, AF speed, better durability and strength without a significant increase in weight and a shorter min focusing distance.

You can read the press release here for more info.

[Photo-John]

Thanks for posting, Mike. This is an exciting announcement for Canon DSLR owners. I just finished writing an article on the new lens and think this looks like a really, really good upgrade. They improved pretty much every important part of the lens. Maybe it's time for me to replace my ancient non-IS 70-200

Here's my article:

New Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II Zoom Lens >>

I mentioned this in the article and I think it's worth mentioning again. I bought my 70-200L lens over ten years ago. I've gone through a whole bunch of film and digital SLRs but I'm still using the same lens. A pro lens like this costs a whole lot of money but it's really a better investment than a new camera.

[SmartWombat]

I like the old lens so much I've got two, one for spare in case I damage it again.
So since I'm not getting the 1DmkIII or mkIV then I may treat myself when I get a new job.
And sell the two old lenses ...

[mjs1973]

The 70-200mm f/2.8 has been on my wish list for a long time now. This may be the hear I finally take the plunge. Still torn between this lens and the 300mm f/4.

[Photo-John]

The 70-200mm f/2.8 has been on my wish list for a long time now. This may be the hear I finally take the plunge. Still torn between this lens and the 300mm f/4.

I've got both (non-IS) and I hardly ever use the 300mm anymore. The 70-200 has way better AF and it's a lot more useful 90% of the time. I've been thinking about selling my 300mm f/4 and maybe buying the 28-300mm L.

[gahspidy]

Awesome lens, and to have an upgrade. Wow. I have the 70-200 2.8L IS and it has been one of the best investments i ever made with my photography. I can't imagine how much sharper it could get as the one I have is tack sharp at every focal length and even wide open its pretty incredible. AF is quick and precise. Its built extremely well too. The biggest factor for me in this upgrade would be the minimum focusing distance improvement. Having a crisp lens like this with IS focus on a subject close up would be real sweet.
Well, I won't be selling mine or looking for the new one anytime soon as I'm looking to acquire a few more primes, but I may have to deal with Lens Envy all over again. . .

[WesternGuy]

So being a relative noobie when it come to lenses, the wherefors and the whys, can some tell me why I would want this new 70-200 IS USM lens, when I already have the 24-105 IS L and the 100 to 400 IS L amongst others. It would seem that I am just duplicating a range that I already have, unless I am missing something. I have had these lenses for a few years now and am very happy with the IQ that I get throughout the range of both zooms. (Don't all jump on me at once - thanks)

Cheers,

Western Guy

[OldClicker]

So being a relative noobie when it come to lenses, the wherefors and the whys, can some tell me why I would want this new 70-200 IS USM lens, when I already have the 24-105 IS L and the 100 to 400 IS L amongst others. It would seem that I am just duplicating a range that I already have, unless I am missing something. I have had these lenses for a few years now and am very happy with the IQ that I get throughout the range of both zooms. (Don't all jump on me at once - thanks)

Cheers,

Western Guy

f/2.8 - TF

[SmartWombat]

Not just the wide f/2.8 aperture, Western Guy, also the sharpness.
Not all "L" lenses are equal !
I find my 100-400 while it's an "L" lens isn't as sharp as the 70-200 unless I stop the 100-400 down to at least f/8.

[WesternGuy]

Thanks for the input on why one might want the new 70-200. The f2.8 I can understand if you need the fast lens.

Smartwombat, not all L lenses may be created equal, I would agree, but the last two weekends, I have been out using it, together with my 24-105 and I find that both lenses are sharp from smallest to largest focal length. The 100 to 400 came in very handy this past weekend as my wife and I went for a drive in the mountains and managed to find some bull elk with their racks still in place. The 100-400 was used at full extension and gave me some very sharp pictures of these magnificent animals. I was shooting both RAW and jpg (Large, fine) and I am quite happy with the results from an IQ perspective, as well as being happy at being able to find and capture the images of these animals. I would have to check the EXIF info to find out exactly what the exposure data was, as I cannot remember if off the top of my head.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[SmartWombat]

I find with mine (and I may have a bad one) there is vignetting wide open at 400mm, and it needs to be stopped down to around f/8 to remove it.
Sharpness is fine, but that's not all I'm interested in.

[readingr]

Thanks for the input on why one might want the new 70-200. The f2.8 I can understand if you need the fast lens.

Smartwombat, not all L lenses may be created equal, I would agree, but the last two weekends, I have been out using it, together with my 24-105 and I find that both lenses are sharp from smallest to largest focal length. The 100 to 400 came in very handy this past weekend as my wife and I went for a drive in the mountains and managed to find some bull elk with their racks still in place. The 100-400 was used at full extension and gave me some very sharp pictures of these magnificent animals. I was shooting both RAW and jpg (Large, fine) and I am quite happy with the results from an IQ perspective, as well as being happy at being able to find and capture the images of these animals. I would have to check the EXIF info to find out exactly what the exposure data was, as I cannot remember if off the top of my head.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

Paul,

We had a chat anbout this a long while ago, mine is fine nice and shart no matter what unless I try to slow a speed of course

Have you checked the back plate is screwed on tight. I had a problem with the 24-70 which got dropped and a quick tightening of the screws sorted it.

Roger R.

[WesternGuy]

smartwombat, I have not had any trouble with vignetting with mine, yet, but then at 400, I probably am not shooting it wide-open, although some of the shots were at f16 and no vignetting. So don't know what to suggest.

WesternGuy.

[SmartWombat]

f/16 I expect no problems, try f/5.6 sometime.
Af is fine, it's sharp, and it's been serviced by Canon and AF adjusted on all 3 bodies.

[Photo-John]

f/2.8 - TF

And auto focus performance. It doesn't really get any faster and more accurate than the 70-200mm f/2.8L. And the new one is supposed to be even better as far as AF performance goes. If you're a sports photographer, that should make it very interesting.

[Loupey]

I hope they fixed the IS so that it doesn't bounce around erratically while zooming.

I also hope they make the zoom ring smoother to operate. I've tried two or three of the current 70-200mm f/2.8L IS version and they all feel "gravelly" when zooming (as compared to say the f/4 versions).

Optically, I've never been blown away by the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS so I'd welcome seeing what the new gun can do.

[StudioBin]

Anyone know the MSRP is for USA or CANADA? Looks like a great lens but I hope retailers will not charge a premium when it is available. I too hope they address the IS nature of the current lens.

[WesternGuy]

StudioBin, I don't know what the MSRP is in Canada, but The Camera Store in Calgary is selling it for a little over $1500 Cdn (+ tax of course). They tend to be the best buy around town. Not sure where you find the MSRP, but I would be willing to bet you it is higher than what they (The Camera Store) are selling it for. HTH.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[Photo-John]

Anyone know the MSRP is for USA or CANADA? Looks like a great lens but I hope retailers will not charge a premium when it is available. I too hope they address the IS nature of the current lens.

I'm not sure which lens WesternGuy is talking about. I don't believe Canon has announced a price for the new 70-200 f/2.8L IS II yet. They didn't have a price when the lens was announced. In my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II announcement article I speculated that the lens would probably cost womerwhere between $2200 and $2500 US. I've also seen another camera gear journalist mention $2200.

[WesternGuy]

Photo-John, you were right, I picked out the wrong lens - so many to choose from, but check this out (below), I believe this is the correct one at just a little over $2000 $Cdn.

http://www.thecamerastore.com/produc...0mm-f28l-usm-0

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[Photo-John]

I'm pretty sure that's the original 70-200 f/2.8L IS lens. I don't believe the new version is actually available yet and that price is too low. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is right now, but I expect the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II will sell for over $2500 in Canada when it becomes available.

[WesternGuy]

Photo-John, you are probably right, but boy, I can hardly wait to see how they have managed to improve on this one - well I have read the reviews and this new one may be one for my collection. I will check with my contact at the Camera Store later this week and see what is happening, because he is usually on top of what is happening locally - Canon-wise that is.

Western-Guy

[SmartWombat]

It doesn't say it's the II version of the lens.

From Canon's website:
"It features a next-generation Optical Image Stabilizer, providing up to 4 stops of correction at all focal lengths."
"23 elements in 19 groups (1 Fluorite and 5 UD elements)"
"Closest Focusing Distance 1.2m"

From your camera store:
"providing up to three stops of correction for camera shake."
"23 elements in 18 groups"
"Closest Focusing Distance: 1.3m"


So I think the one you found is not the new lens, sorry.

[WesternGuy]

:blush2: Paul, as I said (humbly) - I will check with my contact and see what he knows about its release in Canada. I know we had the same sort of "problem" when the new 100mm Macro IS came out. It took me about two to three months to get it physically in my hands, but he seemed to know what the price would be well in advance of its actual issue. I will keep you posted with what I can find out. Thanks for your insight into my choice(s) - I guess I was hoping we could jump the gun somehow, but this is Canon afterall :mad2: - product before pricing...

WesternGuy

[StudioBin]

I'm pretty sure that's the original 70-200 f/2.8L IS lens. I don't believe the new version is actually available yet and that price is too low. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is right now, but I expect the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II will sell for over $2500 in Canada when it becomes available.

I read in other forums MSRP is around $3500cdn. I really hope it is not true. Seems Cdn market always get the short end of the stick.