Another Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III Mention [CR2]

Canon Rumors Guy

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The last time we were told that a <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/another-mention-of-a-new-ef-70-200mm-lens-cr2/">new 70-200mm lens was coming</a>, we assumed it was for DSLRs, but it turned out to be a new <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/canon-announces-the-compact-servo-70-200mm-telephoto-zoom-lens/">COMPACT-SERVO 70-200mm T/4.4</a>.</p>

<p>We have been told that a new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III is currently in testing, though there was no mention of when it may be coming.</p>
<p>There were only 9 years between the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and I expect we’re going to see a similar thing with the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III. Other lens series such as the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III have seen even shorter times between updates.</p>
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ahsanford

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tron said:
In the EF70-200 F/2.8L IS I and the EF16-35 F/2.8L II cases there were IQ problems to be fixed. Now not so much. I cannot see the urgency in updating the 2.8L IS II version.

I'll say the same thing I say about 135 primes: As good as our current one is, 50+ MP sensors and the progress of Canon's competition will spur Canon to act.

...and that applies to even Canon's historically best lenses, of which, this 70-200 is absolutely one.

Using (admittedly iffy) DXOMark as a very crude tool to make a point here:

70-200 f/2.8L IS II on 5D3: 21 out of 22 possible P-Mpix
70-200 f/2.8L IS II on 5D4: 26 out of 30 possible P-Mpix
70-200 f/2.8L IS II on 5DS R: 33 out of 50 possible P-Mpix

...and you can see that Canon has a fine instrument here (Canon's sharpest zoom tested at DXO, btw), but the point where one can argue the lens is outresolving the sensor (with the 5D3) has passed. New glass for the higher resolution future will eventually be in order.

In fairness, this is still a top top lens some 8 years after it came out, so I don't think a new version is sorely needed or is imminently upon us. But this is a staple lens in (nearly) every photographer's bag, and Canon takes great pride in having best in class kit with these sort of lenses. They do this with the 24-70 2.8 and 16-35 2.8 as well.

I love my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, I do. But Canon simply updates these pro zooms faster than others.

- A
 
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Canon Rumors Guy

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tron said:
In the EF70-200 F/2.8L IS I and the EF16-35 F/2.8L II cases there were IQ problems to be fixed. Now not so much. I cannot see the urgency in updating the 2.8L IS II version.

You update cash cows at a much faster pace than other lenses (16-35, 24-70, 70-200). The version II could stand to see some improvements in IQ, IS and weight reduction.
 
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ahsanford

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Canon Rumors said:
tron said:
In the EF70-200 F/2.8L IS I and the EF16-35 F/2.8L II cases there were IQ problems to be fixed. Now not so much. I cannot see the urgency in updating the 2.8L IS II version.

You update cash cows at a much faster pace than other lenses (16-35, 24-70, 70-200). The version II could stand to see some improvements in IQ, IS and weight reduction.

+1.

...and a CPL window in the hood.

- A
 
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Canon Rumors Guy

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I will add, that when I owned a rental house here in Canada, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II wasn't the most reliable lens in the line-up. They constantly had elements shift and it de-centered a fair bit. If I remember correctly, IS failure was quite high too.

I'd have to dig up the old repair spreadsheets, but I think it was in the top 5 in repair dollars spent. Yes, it rented more often, but we also had more of them than any other lens, so I think the repair cost per copy was quite high too.

It could definitely use a build quality upgrade.
 
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ahsanford said:
Canon Rumors said:
tron said:
In the EF70-200 F/2.8L IS I and the EF16-35 F/2.8L II cases there were IQ problems to be fixed. Now not so much. I cannot see the urgency in updating the 2.8L IS II version.

You update cash cows at a much faster pace than other lenses (16-35, 24-70, 70-200). The version II could stand to see some improvements in IQ, IS and weight reduction.

+1.

...and a CPL window in the hood.

- A

And If it stays the same filter size, I'll buy the hood with the filter window for my IS II.
 
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tron

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Canon Rumors said:
tron said:
In the EF70-200 F/2.8L IS I and the EF16-35 F/2.8L II cases there were IQ problems to be fixed. Now not so much. I cannot see the urgency in updating the 2.8L IS II version.

You update cash cows at a much faster pace than other lenses (16-35, 24-70, 70-200). The version II could stand to see some improvements in IQ, IS and weight reduction.
And these updates will be minimal at most. IQ is already good and even if improved it cannot be much improved, IS is at 4 stops already so unless Canon makes a new generation of IS we will not see much of an improvement (if not at all) and weight cannot be significantly improved. Even on the heavier 300 2.8 L IS the weight improvement was 150grams from version I to II (From 2550 down to 2400). On the 70-200 the difference will be much less. In addition I am confident that this top (indeed) of the range lens will NOT be a "green" (DO technology) lens so as to have top IQ (I am thinking of contrast in against the sun situations).
 
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tron said:
In the EF70-200 F/2.8L IS I and the EF16-35 F/2.8L II cases there were IQ problems to be fixed. Now not so much. I cannot see the urgency in updating the 2.8L IS II version.

The “urgency” could come from the stiff competition from the latest Nikon 70-200, as well as the new Tamron 70-200 f2.8 (which Dustin Abbot found to be better than the Canon in several areas). I believe Canon is determined to have the best 70-200 f2.8 on the market.
 
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YuengLinger

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ahsanford said:
Canon Rumors said:
tron said:
In the EF70-200 F/2.8L IS I and the EF16-35 F/2.8L II cases there were IQ problems to be fixed. Now not so much. I cannot see the urgency in updating the 2.8L IS II version.

You update cash cows at a much faster pace than other lenses (16-35, 24-70, 70-200). The version II could stand to see some improvements in IQ, IS and weight reduction.

+1.

...and a CPL window in the hood.

- A

Do you really find the CPL window useful? Very hard to adjust the polarizer through mine. And the little "shutter" doesn't stay tightly open or closed. Current assessment: Gimmick.
 
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docsmith

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Larsskv said:
tron said:
In the EF70-200 F/2.8L IS I and the EF16-35 F/2.8L II cases there were IQ problems to be fixed. Now not so much. I cannot see the urgency in updating the 2.8L IS II version.

The “urgency” could come from the stiff competition from the latest Nikon 70-200, as well as the new Tamron 70-200 f2.8 (which Dustin Abbot found to be better than the Canon in several areas). I believe Canon is determined to have the best 70-200 f2.8 on the market.

I have to agree, the Tamron is direct competition for Canon for people that already have bought into Canon systems. Unlike Nikon, Tamron is potentially "stealing" business Canon may consider theirs. I am still impressed that Canon only had a slight lead over Sigma and Tamron in lens sold in Japan last year.

That said, Canon doesn't seem to be pushed by competition. While it may be a factor, I suspect Canon is more focused on the question of "how do we make the most revenue" than what everyone else is doing. Staying focused on their own game. Thus, if Canon is ready to update the 70-200 II, then they see a market where the update would sell. Thus, better performance with high MP bodies, better IS, better build quality, better bokeh, and better optics. While the 70-200 II is remarkable, it can be improved upon.

If I was to only have two lenses, they would be my 24-70 II and 70-200 II. If I see a better version of the 70-200 II, I am probably jumping at it. This is a good move.
 
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ahsanford

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tron said:
In addition, regarding IS even a new technology say a 5-stop IS will give a 1 stop advantage of IS in the new version. If Canon decides to update 24-70 2.8 II to an IS version they will give it a 4 stop advantage at least!

The wider they go, the harder it is to get so many stops of IS benefit, correct? I seem to recall the 16mm end of the 16-35 f/4L IS saw less benefit from IS than at the 35mm end. Perhaps the same would be true of the 24 vs. 70 end of a standard zoom?

- A
 
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ahsanford

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YuengLinger said:
Do you really find the CPL window useful? Very hard to adjust the polarizer through mine. And the little "shutter" doesn't stay tightly open or closed. Current assessment: Gimmick.

I don't own the 100-400L II, so I can't comment.

But it can't possibly be worse than the current options of (a) pulling off the hood to turn the CPL or (b) reaching into the hood while attached to turn the CPL and the pain points of doing that (accidentally fingerprint smearing the filter, occluding the OVF to assess CPL strength while doing this, etc.)

- A
 
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ahsanford said:
Ryananthony said:
And If it stays the same filter size, I'll buy the hood with the filter window for my IS II.

Good thinking (and I would do the same!), but 82 may be the new 77:

16-35 f/2.8L III = 82
24-70 f/2.8L II = 82

Perhaps Canon wants it's zoom trilogy to share the same filter size?

- A

That has been my thinking ever since the 24-70/2.8 MkII came out.
 
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unfocused

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Obvious change would be the addition of the third IS option. Closer minimum focus distance is also needed. The 100-400 II focuses much closer than the 70-200 II.

I would expect any improvement in sharpness and reduction in weight to be minimal.

There will be some sticker shock as well, as the current version has come down in price by about $700 over the past several years. Expect the new version to be introduced between $2,500 and $3,000.
 
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