Archive for: lenses

Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS [CR2]

More information
Now that the EF 24-70 f/2.8L has been redone, the most requested lens to be replaced with a new version is the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS.  A few patents exist for a new 100-400, you can see them here and here.

The lens isn’t for an immediate announcement, as we’re told they may be waiting for Nikon to announce the much needed replacement to their 80-400.

We’re told 2 designs currently exist for the lens, and at least one of them has a zoom ring instead of the polarizing “push/pull”. The lens is also said to be weather sealed, slightly faster starting at f/4, a bit heavier than the current version and has the latest and greatest IS system.

This lens could also be considered the IS replacement for the EF 400 f/5.6L, especially if it’s better optically. I’m sure this point may not be what a lot of people wanted to read.

No mention of a timeframe for an announcement. I suspect it’ll be after the 200-400.

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Rebates & BG-E11 Shipping Updates

Canon Rebates Extended
The Canon rebate program that was set to expire at the end of May has been extended until the end of June. This is the double up savings program if you buy a camera body along with a lens. There are also instant rebates on lens purchases only.

The 5D Mark III isn’t found in stock in too many places, so at least you get an extra month if you’ve been waiting to take advantage of the rebate when buying a 5D3.

Click to go

Visit B&H for the rebate portal.

BG-E11 Shipping Everywhere
I’ve received notifications that B&H and Adorama have begun shipping the BG-E11 to preorder customers.

Sigma Lens Rebates
Sigma has rebates going on until July 31, 2012. Visit B&H for more.

Canon EF 500 f/4L IS II & EF 600 f/4L IS II Availability
Various smaller retailers have received lenses. I know of a couple of 500′s that appeared in Toronto, and I received my 600 today.

I know B&H is expecting a shipment this week, however there is a preorder wait list. They expect the first 2 shipments to cover what is already preordered. I am unsure about the status with Adorama.

B&H: 500 f/4L IS II | 600 f/4L IS II Adorama: EF 500 f/4L IS II | EF 600 f/4L IS II

If you’re a retailer and get a 500 or 600 in stock that isn’t spoken for, please let me know and I can let the readers of CR know.

5D Mark III Stock
Stock of the 5D Mark III is low at the moment. Shipments for the camera should start arriving near the end of this week. I’m waiting to hear from the large retailers.

cr

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 Pancake Coming [CR3]

It’s coming
We reported this a long time ago, it’s good to hear about it again. There will be an inexpensive “pancake” lens coming to the Canon lineup.  It will be  an EF 40mm f/2.8, non L lens. How much? I’m told less than $300 USD.

For those that don’t know, a pancake lens is a very thin, small and light lens. It could be fun mounted to the front of a 5D3 or a smaller Rebel.

Expect it to be announced in June with the T4i and a new EF-S 18-135 IS II.

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Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L Officially Discontinued?

Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L
A few reports around the globe about the EF 24-70 f/2.8L being officially discontinued. This was an inevitable event.

I’ve had at least 2 suggestions that have said the version II delay has been to dump excess stock of the version 1. How plausible is that? I don’t know.

Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L @ B&H for $1579

There has been no mention of another delay for the version II. It’s still slated to start shipping in July. You can still preorder it at B&H for $2299. Do not expect any sort of price drop on the version II for quite some time.

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Canon EF 600 f/4L IS II in the Wild

They’re out there
We’ve been told by a couple of places, that the new EF 600 f/4L IS II is out there. Loaner copies of the lens have been sent to various manufacturers of accessories for measurement and that sort of thing. Multiple reports say they are fully functional production versions of the lens.

Lots of initial praise for the lens, especially how light it feels in comparison to the first IS version.

A very good sign indeed.

cr

Lenses: 35L II & 85L III Next Up? [CR1]

“L” Primes Coming?
Received two bits of information about possible upcoming lenses from Canon. Apparently both the 35 f/1.4L and 85 f/1.2L II are slated to be updated. As with all things in regards to lenses from Canon, no one is quite sure when either could be announced. It was suggested the 35 f/1.4L II has been delayed on numerous occasions for  redesign and tweaking.

This is the first I have heard seriously about an 85L replacement, but anything that speeds up the AF of the lens would be very welcomed.

I believe we’ll have to see the new 500, 600 and 24-70′s shipping before we get another major “L” lens updated.

cr

A Lens Roadmap? [CR1]

Lots of lenses mentioned
I received what appears to be some kind of lens roadmap. I only ever remember seeing a communication like this one once in the past.  There are definitely some interesting concepts listed. Take all of this with the grain of salt.

• EF 50 1.8 IS, status “prototype”, has tag “spring 2013″
• EF 50 2.5 macro was tagged with “to be replaced”
• EF 200 2.8 L IS macro is tagged with “testing”, “patents pending”, and “autumn 2013″
• EF 24-70 2.8 L II tagged “final”, “winter 2011″
• EF 100-400 4-5.6 L IS tagged “final”, “autumn 2012″
• EF 35 1.4 L II tagged “prototype”, “winter 2012″
• EF 60 L IS lens tagged “prototype”

Some odd duck EF-S zooms

• EF-S 20-65 IS
• EF-S 45-105 IS status “development”
• EF-S 55-70 IS “testing”
• EF-S 70-400 IS “prototype”

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Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS in 2012 [CR2]

Canon 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS
Received word that we can expect to see a direct replacement of the aging EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS sometime in 2012. It has been rumored quite often that a replacement was coming. Some of those rumors may have been talking about the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x.

We have the patent from a few months ago to get an idea of the optical formula.

I was told it would be in the $3000 price range, have a rotating zoom, weigh less, be slightly faster on the wide end at f/4 and carry the latest and greatest coatings and IS.

As with most lenses, an exact announcement date is unknown at this time.

cr

What’s Next? Lenses & Cameras

Lenses
I’ve heard that Canon will be introducing a lot of new lenses this year. Quite possibly a record amount of new lenses announced in a single calendar year. For the moment, it’s unknown whether the lens count will include any mirrorless camera lenses, or if we’re talking EF lenses.

I will say, Canon may be updating lenses to help resolve a coming huge megapixel camera. We’ve heard previously a lot of short focal length lenses are on the update schedule, and we just saw 2 primes and a zoom announced.

Keep watching patents for clues. The EF 24 f/2.8 seemed like an odd duck, yet here it is. I almost expect  an  EF 50 f/1.2L II, no IS on that one though.

Camera Bodies
Lots of speculation about the end of the month for a new camera body. However, there is nothing concrete and I’ve been told that things are going “back and forth” in regards to an announcement.

I will say I have heard there will be a very high megapixel camera some time in 2012, possibly in the 40mp range and it won’t be the “5D Mark III”.

The next announcement should be for an EOS body or two.

cr

Canon DSLR & Lens Rebate Extended Until February 4, 2012

Rebate extensions are good
Canon has extended the DSLR & lens combination rebate program until February 24, 2012. The 7D and 5D Mark II are the main DSLR bodies for the rebate program.

There are also combo rebates for the Pixma 9000 Mark II printer.

Canon DSLR & Lens Rebates at B&H 

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