Another Mention of Big White Lens Revisions [CR1]

[Canon Rumors Guy]

We’ve been told that Canon is working on revisions to “some” of the big white lenses for a 2018 release. Beyond the <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/canon-ef-600mm-f4-do-is-to-arrive-in-late-2017-cr2/">new EF 600mm f/4 DO IS</a>, which we’re told could be announced in late 2017, Canon does plan for some “minor” revisions of the current lineup. Weight reduction and a new IS system is apparently the goal from the new lenses.</p>
<p>2018 is an Olympic and World Cup year, and Canon tends to release or at least test pro gear during those times.</p>
<p>When were the current non-DO big white lenses announced?</p>
<ul>
<li>Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS 2008</li>
<li>Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS 1.4x 2013</li>
<li>Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II 2011</li>
<li>Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II 2011</li>
<li>Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II 2011</li>
<li>Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II 2011</li>
<li>Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS 2008</li>
</ul>
<p>The current iterations of the 300,400,500 and 600mm lenses came 12 years after the previous versions. Which makes a 7 year upgrade cycle seem a bit quick. The possibility of a new 200 f/2L IS and EF 800 f/5.6L IS seem a bit more likely. However, the latter have the lowest volume of sales of the entire series of non-DO “big white lenses”.</p>
<p><em>More to come…</em></p>
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[KiagiJ]

But I only got my 200 f2 a year ago, please tell Canon to relax, there's no rush

 

[JMZawodny]

The 200 f/2L IS needs to lose at least a pound in weight. There is also modest room for IQ improvements. Looking forward to that one.

 

[entoman]

A replacement for the 300mm F4 L is long overdue.

Fabulous lens, very sharp, especially at close distances, but hoping for a new version, lighter and without the very clunky IS of the current lens.

 

[Steve Dmark2]

Maybe they want to update the "small" whites and the big is just a destraction
--> root for 300mm F4L IS ii or 400mm 5.6L IS

 

[Khufu]

Aye, the 400mm f/5.6L is a brilliant piece of kit, though the size and weight are major selling points; could they produce something similar with IS? I had the 300/4L IS for a while but felt spoilt by the image quality of the 400/5.6 (it is as simple as smooth vs busy bokeh) - maybe they'll come up with great smooth-and-sharp optics and astounding IS for both... and keep the 400 way lighter, smaller and cheaper than the zoom! Maybe.

There's no glass for the first 15-20cm of that thing, maybe we can get something collapsible?!

 

[haggie]

I can fully relate to what Khufu wrote about the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM.

After I have bought my EF 70-300 IS II USM (at least, if image quality in the following tests will prove to be okay ...), I will want a 400 mm. For me, the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM is no option, because of the lack of IS.

If Canon will produce an L-series 400 mm IS USM with IS (and I think I will prefer ring-USM then), I will probably get it - after all, with Canon's "big whites" the IQ is always very good

 

[tron]

The 800 5.6L IS would benefit the most from a revision but maybe they are going to make a 1000 5.6 DO instead. I cannot think of updates to the other big white lenses (apart from 200 2L) since Canon people have made already significant IQ, IS and weight improvements. Any more improvemenets in these lenses would look like diminishing returns.

 

[padam]

The 600/4 DO is surely a go and there are plenty of other patents suggesting others as well (like 500/4 500/5.6 800/5.6 etc.) who knows which will make it into production.

The 300/2.8 and 400/2.8 replacements (which won't be DO lenses) will probably come much later.

 

[Jopa]

The 200 f/2L IS needs to lose at least a pound in weight. There is also modest room for IQ improvements. Looking forward to that one.

I think IQ wise it's very nice. The weight, and maybe the AF may require some improvement, plus the 3rd IS mode. Oh yes, and the color - to match to the rest of the mighty whites

 

[hendrik-sg]

The current big whites are so good (at least the "ii" versions) that new versions seem not very urgent. They would be interesting if:

- they could cut the size/weight (with "do" versions) significantly.
- or even better add new features. Double extender versions (1.4x and 2.0x) switchable would almost make them zooms
- longer reach for the same size/weight would be great, if possible without big jumps in price. Why not 500 2.8 DO 1.4x/2.0x or 700 4.0 DO 1.4x with 5.0 kg .

I do not see anybody upgrading a 500mm 4.0 ii if there is 200g weight/5cm lenth saving and 0.3 stop IS improvment for 5000$ upgrade cost. For this the current versions are to good

And i think, even for well earning enthusiasts the current versions are painfully expensive, and from my country i am used to high prices. So in my opinion there is not so much room for price increases, i would like to know how many 17'000$ 800's nikon sold, at least i never saw one

 

[MGN]

The 200/f2.0L IS is on backorder with all the major shops with no restocking dates available. That might be a sign that we will see a new version of this classy lens!

 

[H. Jones]

I think Canon has some room to do something interesting when/if they replace the 800mm F/5.6. The current 600mm is so good, especially with extenders, so I think they'll have to spice things up a bit to get it to sell well. I'm confident in Canon to do that though. Perhaps the 800 will include a built-in 1.4x, or some similar new features that increase its value.

 

[Steve Balcombe]

The 200/f2.0L IS is on backorder with all the major shops with no restocking dates available. That might be a sign that we will see a new version of this classy lens!

That's interesting - I don't know which country you are in but out of curiosity I checked the major UK retailers and Park Cameras is the only one with the 200/2L IS stock, and they only have one left. I would never want to read too much into this sort of 'evidence', but who knows?

 

[Jopa]

The 200/f2.0L IS is on backorder with all the major shops with no restocking dates available. That might be a sign that we will see a new version of this classy lens!

That's interesting - I don't know which country you are in but out of curiosity I checked the major UK retailers and Park Cameras is the only one with the 200/2L IS stock, and they only have one left. I would never want to read too much into this sort of 'evidence', but who knows?

It's out of stock @ B&H, but available directly from Canon USA. Interesting 8) So it was a new 85/1.4 in the rumors, new 135/2 and now this...

 

[GMCPhotographics]

I still use a 400mm f2.8 LIS mkI...sure it's big and heavy but it's a remarkable lens. I'd like to be able to afford a mkII...but I can't at the moment and the mkI is doing me just fine.

 

[IglooEater]

The 200/f2.0L IS is on backorder with all the major shops with no restocking dates available. That might be a sign that we will see a new version of this classy lens!

That's interesting - I don't know which country you are in but out of curiosity I checked the major UK retailers and Park Cameras is the only one with the 200/2L IS stock, and they only have one left. I would never want to read too much into this sort of 'evidence', but who knows?

It's out of stock @ B&H, but available directly from Canon USA. Interesting 8) So it was a new 85/1.4 in the rumors, new 135/2 and now this...

Good times coming for bokeh loving portrait photogs

 

[IglooEater]

If I had the budget for any of these lenses, (which I don't) I'd love to see DO weight and size savings on ALL of the big whites, provided the IQ hurdles of DO can be surmounted.

 

[Talley]

I just got my 200 F2 IS about 8 months ago. IQ it's top notch... but compared to the 300 2.8 II the 200 F2 could improve "slightly" in the corners. It already has a 4 stop IS but adding a mode 3 could help. THEN I bet the most they could improve is about .4lbs lighter.

In the end it'll be another $6,000 lens and I paid 4k for mine and there is nothing wrong with it. I will not upgrade my 200 any time soon.

 

[Woody]

It appears that Canon is trying to maximize profits in the face of plunging camera sales by focusing on the release of expensive L lenses. Others try to increase profits by releasing expensive cameras (e.g., Nikon's multiple FF models, Sony's recent A6500 & A7 series, Olympus OMD-EM1 II, Panasonic GH5 etc).

Just a neutral observation