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EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro Discontinued?

November 18th, 2009 | 28 Comments | Posted in Canon Lenses

I was hoping not
I received word from a few folks that the EF 100 f/2.8 Macro has been discontinued. The lens currently still appears in Canon Canada’s price lists as well as Canon USA’s. The manufacturing of the lens may have stopped.

I hope this lens isn’t gone, there’s a big difference between $650CAD and $1300CAD for a 100mm Macro. I own the aformentioned lens, and I have no plans to upgrade.

I’ll look for something definitive.

cr

January 2010 [CR1]

November 17th, 2009 | 66 Comments | Posted in Canon 1Ds Mark 4, Canon Lenses

All that’s needed is a spark sometimes
I received an email in response to the report the November 24, 2009 announcement day had been pushed back until January.

“Yes, it has been delayed until January now, this is the second time this has happened although this time not due to a technical issues but more marketing. If everything goes to plan (which hardly happens to be honest), January will be a killer month for announcements:

1Ds Mark IV together with the new duo of high end lenses. The 70-200 2.8 IS II and of course the 24-70 II IS.”

CR’s Take
The lenses I’m not shocked by, they’ve sort of become the lenses that will always be replaced. I’ll be taking a wait and see approach.

However, a 1Ds4 announcement already? I thought the 1D4 was early…. this would be crazy.

cr

Nothing to speak of

November 17th, 2009 | 49 Comments | Posted in Canon 3D, Canon Lenses

Slow
There’s nothing going on in Canon land at the moment. I’m digging up nothing.

70-200 2.8L IS II
I did received an email claiming the 24th of November WAS correct but an announcement has been delayed until January.

A couple of stores in Canada I spoke to that had long backorders on 70-200 f/2.8L IS say they finally got a couple of lenses. This also happened to them shortly before Nikon announced their replacement.

Bored? Howabout a 3D Rumor?
“According to my friend after canons “disappointment” with the 7D they will be releasing a full frame version in mid-late 2010.”

Yeah, I’m stretching here… but I hate not updating the site. Have some fun :)

cr

EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II Announcement [CR2]

November 12th, 2009 | 105 Comments | Posted in Canon Lenses

Soon!
I received notice that there will be a Canon announcement on November, 24, 2009 in regards to a new 70-200 f/2.8L IS II.

No word on any other lenses being announced. Still waiting on CR3 confirmation.

cr

EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Reviewed – DPReview

November 11th, 2009 | 18 Comments | Posted in Canon Lenses, Canon Reviews

Nice lens
DPReview has completed their indepth review of the new L macro. I haven’t had the chance to play around with one yet.

From DPR
“Overall, then, the EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM Macro is an easy recommendation if you’re looking for exceptional image quality regardless of price. However potential buyers do need to appreciate that the increased cost over its older stablemate appears to pay mainly for the Hybrid IS system, which despite its clever technology isn’t hugely useful for actual close-distance macro work. Of course it’s still a great benefit for general-purpose shooting, which mustn’t be underestimated, and the new Hybrid technology appears to be a step in the right direction; but the marriage between macro and stabilization remains an uneasy one.”

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_100_2p8_is_usm_c16/

cr

Odds & Ends

November 7th, 2009 | 117 Comments | Posted in Canon 1D Mark 4, Canon Lenses, Canon PowerShot

1D Mark IV Ship Date
I’ve heard December 9, 2009 is when the first batch of 1D Mark IV’s will be in the wild. No word on what country(ies) that would be.

G11 vs S90
Canon has been pleasantly surprised by the initial orders for the S90. Originally the camera was pegged to be outsold by the G11 6 to 1, their internal numbers have changed to 3 or 4 to 1.

Micro 4/3
Canon is watching how things go with the new system. Currently there are no plans within Canon to start R&D on a Micro 4/3 body or anything similar. There is also no plans for a third lens system at this time. EF-S is still a confusing thing for consumers. This is no lie, Canon still gets flack for the FD to EF change which happened 22 years ago!

24-70 f/2.8L IS
A great source has said this lens is coming in 2010.

Initial 1D Mark IV Orders
Orders for the 1D Mark IV have been beyond expectations for Canon. They do expect to meet the demand of initial orders.

24 f/1.4L II
This is still a hard lens to come by in a lot of places. I’m told Canon is working on having the supply issue sorted by the start of 2010.

cr

Lens Rumors This Week

November 1st, 2009 | 99 Comments | Posted in Canon Lenses

Direct quotes of lens info I’ve received
“Talked to the Canon EOS Rep today- was buying a 7D.  He said, “By the way, our current stock of 70-200 F/2.8 IS USM are being sold at an extra special price of USD1450. I can’t tell you why, and you didn’t hear it from me, but I can get you a special price for it”. When subtly probed on a new lens, he gave the very cryptic “I can’t talk about any of that… all I can do is tell you that if you want the cheap 2.8, its now.”

24-70, 70-200 & 100-400 (eternal rumors I’m afraid)
“The Canon 70-200 2.8 II will see the light of day this side of the year for announcement. Improved optics at 2.8 and new 5 stop IS. It was suppose to be announced with the 1D Mark IV but was delayed slightly. I don’t deal with pricing at all but expect it to be 30% more expensive than the current model.

In 2010 look out for the Canon 24-70 II with IS, announcement due with 1Ds IV. The 100-400 is scheduled for renewal sometime in early 2010.”

14-24 Patent?
From an FM thread and Northlight.

Patent Here: http://www.google.com/patents?id=lbTIAAAAEBAJ

CR’s Take
I really hope this lens isn’t true. Yes, Canon needs a kick butt ultra wide angle. The 17-40 is worth what it costs, the 16-35 is a relative disappointment beside the Nikkor 14-24. What I don’t like, and a few of my photographer friends also don’t like is that you can’t filter a 14mm lens (yes, there may be some do it yourself solution). What I’d like to see is a 16-24 f/2.8 lens with the performance of the Nikkor 14-24. I want to use polarizers, grad filters, ND filters and all that.

I’m not sure if I’m in the minority in regards to filters.

cr

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II [CR1]

October 29th, 2009 | 123 Comments | Posted in Canon Lenses

Coming?
Received a few emails over the last day or two that Canon would be announcing a new lens or two at the end of November. One lens will surely be the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II.

I called Canon Canada who is out of stock on them and they have no ETA.

I’m looking into info from Canon USA.

This is a CR1 rumor for the moment. We’ve never been super successful in getting lenses right, but we’re getting better after the 7D launch.

cr