Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II
Some initial impressions on the new lens has appeared on our forums.

Direct quote

Initial impressions: Almost all the issues the mark I had is gone.

Quite a bit of the heft is gone. Still feels solid.

Focuses … I could say … faster than my 70-200 II.

Very, very sharp at all focal lengths.

Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II

Preorder at B&H | Adorama

cr

From B&H
B&H Photo has posted the new Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II. It is available for preorder and is expected to ship on April 17, 2012.

There is no 2 for 1 deal if you buy a Canon EOS-1D X as well.

Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II at B&H for $2299

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A quick comparison
Below is a quick spec and MTF comparison between the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L Version 1 & Version 2.

We’re still waiting for an official price on the lens. I do expect a big bump in price.

Version 1

Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L MTF

Version 2

Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II MTF Chart

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Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II
The long awaited replacement of the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L has finally shown up in pictures.

Specs

• 82mm Filter Thread
• Lighter than version 1
• I’ve heard a cost of $1799 – $1899 USD

Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II

Source: [DC] & Submissions (thanks)

cr

*UPDATE*
Invites have gone out to Canon Platinum CPS members to prioritize purchases of the new EOS-1D X. This is most likely the CPS event we’ve been told about.

For the launch of the Canon EOS-1D X, Canon would like to offer priority purchase for CPS Platinum members, as our most valued customers, we want to ensure we continue to add value to the CPS program where we can.

Not on February 7 [CR3]
There will not be a 5D Mark III or similar announced on February 7, 2012.  It is suggested the “embargo” lift on the 7th may be for samples from the EOS-1D X.

Lenses [CR2]
Another 24-70 f/2.8L II mention came my way. It will be announced with a DSLR.

More to come.

cr

*UPDATE 2*
Another source highly doubts February 7, 2012 is the date for an announcement. All the little bits of information that are leaking say it’s close, but it may not be that close. Please do not treat February 7, 2012 as fact until I can [CR3] it.

*UPDATE*
Another source says it’s odd that Canon & Nikon would announce on the same day.  I have yet to see an actual invite to a press event for February 7, 2012. Good people are saying it’s coming that day, my gut is telling me otherwise. I do think the camera will be announced well before the 1D X ships.

More mentions
A few more people have mentioned February 7, 2012 as the announcement date for the 5D Mark III. The sources are good, though I am waiting for the definitive word on the matter.

It’s mentioned that Canon will also announce new PowerShot cameras, a new Legria camcorder and Selphy printer(s).

Kevin Wang, based in Taiwan, posted on his Facebook wall that he will be an official photographer for the 5D Mark III. (thanks Hansen)

5D Mark III Specs
If I put together everything I have heard, these are the specs of the 5D Mark III.

• 22mp
• 61pt AF
• 7.5fps (this I’ve only seen once)
• DIGIC 5+
• New Battery Grip with Joystick
• GPS Ready

No lenses were mentioned for the announcement date of the 5D Mark III. However, a solid source that reported the 24-70 f/2.8L II and 35 f/1.4L II a month or so ago, says both lenses will be shipping sometime in April. Lenses have always been the toughest to nail down.

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More information
With all the additional 5D Mark III conversation coming about, I’ve also experienced an increase in EF 24-70 f/2.8L II talk.

The latest I have heard is the suspected final prototype is in the hands of the select few for testing. It has the same external zoom and is slightly shorter than the current model. It is also lighter.

There has been an IS version that was bigger and a lot heavier, as well as an internal  zoom model, both of which were deemed too big and/or heavy.

There is also a suggestion that the 24-70 f/2.8L II could end up a kit lens for the next 5D camera.

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“Heard from a…..”
A person in Europe has said a retailer in their home country has said Canon will announce new lenses next week at CES. The retailer wouldn’t say what.

It’s possible at this time that reps have started to hint to stores on how to order product that is about to be discontinued.

The 24-70 f/2.8L II is again the most talked about lens in emails I am receiving.

We have yet to see an official PowerShot G1X announcement, so that will probably come Monday or Tuesday of next week. I stress again that CES is looked at like a “consumer” show by Canon, and “L” lenses generally aren’t considered as such. However, Nikon is carrying a lot of hype into the CES show.

Canon 24-70 f/2.8L @ B&H $1249

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Lenses
We were told that we’d see a 24-70 f/2.8L II and 35 f/1.4L II announced on January 3, 2012. That date has come and gone with no announcement of such products.

The same source says they are still coming, and was surprised that they weren’t announced. Sometime after CES is the latest information I have.

Don’t forget we were also told about a 70-200 f/4L IS II being announced in the mid January.

EOS DSLRs
There have been a few things coming in about a possible DSLR announcement in January 2012. Canon has no real interest in CES/PMA as far as EOS goes, since in their own words; it’s a “consumer” show. “L” lenses and high end DSLRs don’t fit that category.

What DSLR? I can’t say at the moment, all I can gather is it won’t be a large megapixel camera, i.e. 30+ mp.

I guess Nikon will have the DSLR spotlight during CES.

B&H Lens Sale Continues
B&H’s Canon lens sale continues. Free shipping in the USA is still going strong.

Visit The B&H Canon Lens Sale

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Lots came in
I have received a lot of small rumors throughout the week. There’s till life out there, even if there isn’t anything overly exciting.

I’ll break them down.

DIGIC V
Apparently DIGIC V will be powering the next Canon DSLRs. We all expect better noise reduction and processing speed, however there is also a “brand new feature”. I’m still waiting to find out what that is.

PowerShot G12 Replacement
There will be no G12 replacement in 2011.

2011 DSLR?
Most information I am receiving now seems to suggest there will be no DSLR announcement in 2011. There are definitely a lot of prototype bodies out there, we just won’t be hearing about them until 2012.

It was suggested this was to make sure Canon could meet the production demands that the Christmas and holiday  seasons require.

It was also flatly said that “Canon will announce a new camera when it’s done, and not a minute before”. Canon has no desire to announce a camera and it not be available for 2-3 months.

Canon Mirrorless
The R&D is ongoing. There is no prototype cameras out to photographers though.

EF 24-70 f/2.8L II
Apparently in the October 2011 Popular Photography issue, they wrote a reference to an EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS II. I haven’t seen the magazine, but generally dismiss this sort of thing as a typo. I’ve never received solid info that the version II would have IS.

*UPDATE* As pointed out by a reader, any 24-70 with IS wouldn’t be designated with a “II”. I hate missing the obvious. :)

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New Stuff?
I received a couple of emails today saying both the 1Ds Mark IV and 24-70 would be arriving in two weeks. This will be before the IFA event in Berlin.

1Ds Mark IV
The 1Ds Mark IV briefly appeared on Canon’s official web site. You can check that out at Photography Bay.

Still Quiet
I have to admit, all is still pretty quiet on the rumor front. One person has suggested we may get up to 3 different announcement dates in 2011. One for PowerShot, one for a flagship DSLR  and another lens announcement.

There has been absolutely nothing saying a 5D Mark III would be announced in 2011. Still a 2012 Q1 product in a lot of peoples eyes.

Quiet at CR
I’ve been away for a few days making sure my marriage remains intact. :)

cr

Nothing Major
Another known source has spoken up and said a 5D Mark II replacement will be in quarter 1 in 2012. It was also said the line would include a “surprise”.

Lenses
Canon has apparently told some dealers in Europe that the 5D2/24-70 kit will no longer be available.

Signs of a replacement of the 24-70 is starting to show some more signs.

EF 8-15 f/4L
I have been playing with one for a day or two, trying to figure out how to effectively use a fisheye. I’d like a review up by the end of next week.

More soon, been sick.

cr

I’ve been receiving a lot of stuff recently, most of which I’m figured to be fakes. Like the 5D Mark III commercial. I’ve also received a lot of camera specs based on the patent from a few days ago.

However, a decent source that’s correct about 50% of the time sent me information about upcoming lenses from Canon.

I’m told an EF 14-24 f/2.8L and EF 24-70 f/2.8L II will be announced at the same time. Whether that’s with a new 1Ds or 5D Mark III was unknown. However, Q4, 2011 or Q1, 2012 was the timetable.

CR’s Take
Patents for both optical formulas exist, so it’s highly possible. I have a hard time seeing Canon adding to the L lineup until the 8-15 starts shipping.

EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4X
We can expect this lens to become an official product with an announcement this fall. Availability in late Q1 2012 I’m told.

cr

EF 24-70 f/2.8L for $1399 @ B&H

I received a roadmap of sorts recently. The information went on to describe what’s going on with a few of the new lenses supposedly coming from Canon, as well as some camera body information.

135 f/2L II
There is a replacement in development, and a prototype exists. However, it is not slated for release for a year or two. The current 135L sells well, and is very high performance.

35 f/1.4L II
The prototype exists and is slated for a 2011 announcement.

24-70 f/2.8L II
Apparently 5 versions of this lens exist. A few even have IS. It is slated for a 2011 announcement. The patent we’ve seen says no IS.

300 f/4L IS II
Expect this lens to arrive sometime in 2011 or early 2012. If what is mentioned next is true, then f/4 lenses may become more in demand as photographers aim to carry a lighter camera bag.

APS-H & ISO
The 1.3 crop will be going away. All cameras going forward will be APS-C and full frame. The ISO performance of upcoming cameras from Canon will be industry leading. This is in part because of sensor technology advancements as well as DIGIC V.

CR’s Take
All of this is pretty plausible. I do expect Canon to have a couple of surprises up their sleeves. We’ve seen that recently with the zoom fisheye and the 200-400 with the 1.4 teleconverter built in.

cr