An evolving prime lineup.
Received a very cryptic email this AM about some upcoming lens upgrades. The following 3 lenses were mentioned.
50 f/1.2L II
Improved AF performance and new coatings. Optical elements to remain the same.
85 f/1.2L III
Improved AF speed and new coatings. Optical elements to remain the same.
135 f/2L IS
Image stabilization added, as well as the new coatings. Optical elements to remain the same.
Probability?
I'm not sure, I've received snippets of info about the 85 and 135 getting upgraded.
If all they're doing with the 50 and 85 is adding new electronics and coatings to the lenses, it's quite possible they'll get an upgrade. Adding IS to the 135L makes some sense.
I'm still surprised I haven't heard anything about a 35L upgrade.
CR1 this one with a smaller grain of salt than you'd think.
cr
69 Comments
Where I live, sales of L primes are so low, stores will only order them if a client asks for them. Ordering the 85 f/1.2L II would require a none refundable down payment of ~20%.
The EF 50mm f/1.8 mkII, on the other hand, sells very well. People’s descriptions border on the ‘we get something for nothing’.
My impression is that upgraded cheap WA primes (= from 20mm to 50mm) would have significant sales, while upgraded L primes would hardly reach the stores.
[I bought a 5D mk II. I bought a TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II. I can buy an 85mm f/1.2L II, but I didn’t buy it even when a used copy was offered at 35% discount. If Canon upgrades the WA cheap primes, I will probably buy one or two. If Canon upgrades the L primes, I’ll definitely buy a Sigma circular fisheye.]
adding IS to the already-superb optics is the only that could ever possibly persuade me to part with my copy of the 135L. I’ll be following with interest.
Has the rumor about a possible 24-70is died a death now?
I would pay an extra $500 for a 135l IS. And probably will have to, too.
They could wrk on CA, sharpness wide-open, vignetting, better bokeh, etc.
Lenses always have room for improvement. Is it a priority considering the other lenses that could use updating??
Probably not.
Not me. I’d rather get the Mark I. It has better bokeh. But I’m keeping my 135.