Canon Update 3 Lenses including EF 24-70 F/2.8L II USM
Yesterday saw some excitement among our Nikon readers with the launch of the new Nikon D800 DSLR – but also announced yesterday were 3 new lenses from Canon. The main one of interest is the EF 24-70 F/2.8L II USM. Version I of this lens has always been a popular choice with photographers for quite a few years so an update is a logical one.
The main updates included:
- More durable body
- Smaller Size (only slightly)
- Redesigned Optics
- New Zoom Lock lever to prevent damage in transit
Unfortunately the update didn’t bring any Image Stabilisation to this lens – something that will disappoint many.
The new Canon EF 24-70 F/2.8L II USM will retail when it becomes available in April for $2,299.
There is some speculation around that this update is a precursor to a full frame DSLR announcement from Canon shortly. Time will tell.
Also of interest is Canon releasing two wide angle primes with Image Stabilization.
They are the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM and EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM. These updates to older prime lenses are said to add up to four stops to shooting with them. They both have Ultra Silent Motors and new aspherical lens elements.
The 24mm F/2.8 IS USM will retail for $849 USD and the 28mm F/2.8 IS USM will cost $799. Both will be available in June.
17 Responses to “Canon Update 3 Lenses including EF 24-70 F/2.8L II USM” - Add Yours
February 8th, 2012 at 11:51 am
INSANE to add USM and 300-400+ dollars for each of these. I understand why they put IS on these, for videographers. However from strictly a still photographer standpoint I truly wish they would update the ancient Prime range, 20, 24, 28, 35, 50 yet without IS. I would pay $75.00 over the current lens prices but $800 instead of $350? Crazy.
February 8th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Is it that expensive to make lenses? seriously most of the DSLR bodies would be cheaper than the 24-70mm. And then you compare things like laptops, iPads, phones everything put to shame?
February 8th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
seems…..canon gets greedy and greedier ………
February 8th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
@techmine – the components that go into DSLRs, iPads, phones are all mass produced for a wide variety of different products and industries, plus volumes of laptops, phones, etc is incredibly huge. Lenses on the other hand, aren’t produced in such great volume, and don’t use very specific components. Also, electronics tend to be easier to produce within their fault tolerances, unlike high-end optics.
@stevo possibly true, but i guess if they continue to get sufficiently greedy people will move to alternative camera manufacturers, right? if they don’t, it’s because Canon is doing something well
February 8th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Dane well limited production of anything can’t be attributed to the high cost of that item. Canon produces around 50 lenses with USM so that can’t be the vanity item in the lens. I don’t think it has VR/IS built in either and if you see the main feature updates listed except for “Redesigned Optics” Canon hasn’t done anything path breaking here. Sure they redesigned the optics to get the superior image quality (L series) but then put $850 premium on it (on an already professional but older 24-70mm L model)? Nice.
February 8th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
I was pointing out that comparing costs of something like cellphones with high-end lenses is silly – over 5 billion cellphones have been manufactured and they’re relatively easy to mass produce. not the same for lenses, which means if you want decent stuff, you may have to open your wallet a little more. Either that or take up gardening.
February 8th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
gosh the primes are really expensive! too bad. aren’t primes supposed to be a little cheaper?
February 8th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
I love the new 28mm but these prices…yikes. I’m surprised even for the 24-70mm, it nearly DOUBLED in price! =( Are they trying to price out amateurs again, maybe?
February 8th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
I don’t know. 28mm f/2.8 with four stops IS would give you f/0.7 theoretically. While it is nice, I think I prefer the 28mm f/1.8. I’d love to see how they compare optically, because 1.8 is, well, not from the highest shelf. Not too bad either. Though the 4mm more on the wide side would be a welcome addition.
As for the price. I can’t really see the point of complaining. These are the prices for early adopters. Soon enough the old 24-70 price will drop, and the new one will probably drop into that spot
.
February 8th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
I was looking forward to a new 24-70 with IS, but for whatever reason, Canon decided not to give it IS. It would have to be *much* better than my 24-70 mark I to make me want to upgrade to the new version!
February 8th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
I’m hoping that this new 24-70 will drop the selling price of the mark 1 so I can grab a bargain
February 9th, 2012 at 12:34 am
Shaun I was thinking the very same thing!
February 9th, 2012 at 1:12 am
I just simply believe that canon is loosing its touch with these updates on cameras and lenses. I mean, look at the predecessor of the 50D, the 60D. Body material. Now with the update on the 24-70mm I mean that price is insane, thats over $1000 bucks over the original, and thats without IS imagine if it did had IS incorporated. Smaller (Slighty) i mean come on, They could have tried to at least have the zooming mechanism inside the lens instead of being the old barrel zoom. I will have to agree with Barry the first post on the prices for those primes. I seriously love canon but it seems that they are really loosing their market to Nikon and other 3rd party lens makers like sigma. The price is not justified.
February 9th, 2012 at 1:12 am
@Dane thanks for the gardening advice. Go all over the Internet and see what everyone’s feedback is – high cost and no IS. But then you must one be those who think “higher prices means better quality”. I am sure you must have per-ordered by now.
February 9th, 2012 at 3:05 am
I’ve got 2 of the 24-70 lenses and use them regularly, it’s my workhorse. I can walk into a wedding with this one lens and I’m happy no matter what.
Seeing a new model is great, but there doesn’t seem to be a massive increase in features. Unless the redesigned optics are a massive increase.
My lenses are sharp and work fast each time. I use them every weekend and short of me dropping one, they have never missed a beat.
Not sure if IS is required on this lens, especially with the increased quality of current bodies at hi ISO’s.
It would be good to test this when it comes out.
February 9th, 2012 at 3:18 am
I agree with Marci. I think they are just maintaining the divide between “Amateurs” and “Pro” by keeping the “Pro” equipment out of the economic reach of “Amateurs”.
This is the case in every profession. Talk to an auto mechanic, they will pay ten time more for a Snap-On wrench than the equivalent Craftsman wrench that will loosen the same bolt. While you will never convince the Craftsman tool buyer that there is good reason to pay the extra money for a Snap-On tool, you will never convince a Snap-On tool buyer to waste his money on a Craftsman tool.
The reason for this is that the true “Professional” sees the “Pro” equipment as a tool to make money and the “Amateur” sees the “Pro” equipment as an expense costing them money. If you are making money with the tool, the tool pays for itself. If you are not making money with a tool, it becomes an expensive toy.
February 9th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Love my M1 version of the 24-70 but at the price for the new model, chances are I wouldn’t have even thought I could justify it. Wow… Maybe if I saw photos taken with it I’d be impressed with the redesign, but about the only item on the list that I find interesting is the zoom lock lever – how sad is that?
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