Canon Makes the EF 24-70 f/4L IS & EF 35 f/2 IS Official

[Zlatko]

I'm excited that Canon is making better lenses than ever. Of course, better lenses cost more. We can have cheap or good, but not both.

Also, people seem to forget that these are introductory prices — these lenses will likely be 10-15% cheaper within a year.

Except you seem to forget that Canon has now introduced MAP. That means unless Canon says the price drops, it will not drop. Just how often does Canon announce a price drop of a piece of equipment? Hmm, well, the 5D Mark II price dropped a lot once the 5D Mark III was out and there were a couple of other 5D Mark II price drops earlier on. But I can't for the life of me recall a single price drop of a lens. Price increase, yes.

Lens prices do drop. The new 24mm/2.8 IS was $849 when introduced; it is $669 right now (with instant rebate) less than a year after introduction. The new 28mm/2.8 IS has also dropped. The 100mm/2.8L IS was $1,050 back in 2009; it is $899 right now. The 70-200mm/4L IS was $1,280 in Sept. 2011; it is $1,099 right now. Other lenses have gone up over time, like the 85mm/1.2L II and the 35mm/1.4L.

Apart from instant rebates, there is typically no announcement of a price drop. But if you make a note of lens prices, there are some noticeable drops now and then. Even before the current instant rebates, the new 24 and 28mm/2.8 IS lenses had dropped about $50 from their introductory prices. The same for other gear like camera batteries, flashes, grips, etc. The 600EX flash was introduced at $629; it dropped by $30 or $40 within a few months of introduction and is $569 with the instant rebate now. The 5DII dropped a great deal (33%) over time. The 5DIII price has dropped about $200 recently, more at some sellers.

So I feel that price drops for new gear are somewhat predictable with time, though never certain. The people who are shocked by the introductory price may not buy right away, but they may buy a year later when the price drops. Those who have an immediate need for the new item will pay the higher price and consider the premium as a "rental" cost of getting the new gear sooner.

 

[gravy]

I'm excited that Canon is making better lenses than ever. Of course, better lenses cost more. We can have cheap or good, but not both.

Also, people seem to forget that these are introductory prices — these lenses will likely be 10-15% cheaper within a year.

Except you seem to forget that Canon has now introduced MAP. That means unless Canon says the price drops, it will not drop. Just how often does Canon announce a price drop of a piece of equipment? Hmm, well, the 5D Mark II price dropped a lot once the 5D Mark III was out and there were a couple of other 5D Mark II price drops earlier on. But I can't for the life of me recall a single price drop of a lens. Price increase, yes.

it seems canon is setting the initial price much higher for new products now. I think (my opinion) the 3 new non-L primes are overpriced by $200 or so. when the prices come down then I will buy but not before. I got burned on the 5DIII because I bought early. I appreciate the upgrades and willing to pay for- upgraded AF system, USM, IS, build quality etc. but this pricing policy is resulting in sharp price drops early which is a change from older equip coming down in price slowly(or slower). I bought 3 bodies as soon as they came out XTi, 50D and 5DMkIII. the 5D dropped like a rock which I have nobody to blame but myself for that. that won't happen again. I still feel that the 5DMkIII is the camera that I wanted for a long time and I'm not disappointed but I'm waiting for prices to settle before buying anything new in the future.

 

[rj79in]

I'm excited that Canon is making better lenses than ever. Of course, better lenses cost more. We can have cheap or good, but not both.

Also, people seem to forget that these are introductory prices — these lenses will likely be 10-15% cheaper within a year.

Except you seem to forget that Canon has now introduced MAP. That means unless Canon says the price drops, it will not drop. Just how often does Canon announce a price drop of a piece of equipment? Hmm, well, the 5D Mark II price dropped a lot once the 5D Mark III was out and there were a couple of other 5D Mark II price drops earlier on. But I can't for the life of me recall a single price drop of a lens. Price increase, yes.

it seems canon is setting the initial price much higher for new products now. I think (my opinion) the 3 new non-L primes are overpriced by $200 or so. when the prices come down then I will buy but not before. I got burned on the 5DIII because I bought early. I appreciate the upgrades and willing to pay for- upgraded AF system, USM, IS, build quality etc. but this pricing policy is resulting in sharp price drops early which is a change from older equip coming down in price slowly(or slower). I bought 3 bodies as soon as they came out XTi, 50D and 5DMkIII. the 5D dropped like a rock which I have nobody to blame but myself for that. that won't happen again. I still feel that the 5DMkIII is the camera that I wanted for a long time and I'm not disappointed but I'm waiting for prices to settle before buying anything new in the future.

As the previous poster mentioned, Canon has now introduced MAP. Maybe you will wait long :-\

 

[PoloMint0]

I've just bought a 24-105 on the prefix that whatever lens you have, it won't necessarily produce better images!!

 

[sandymandy]

I've just bought a 24-105 on the prefix that whatever lens you have, it won't necessarily produce better images!!

..but if you have the skill it will produce better images.

 

[BRNexus6]

Hmmm,

Sigma 35mm 1.4 at $899

Canon 35mm F2 IS at $849


Canon is getting truly ridiculous with their prices. It's like they aren't interested in getting new customers anymore. Nikon has great bodies and lenses at a fair price without sacrificing too much in IQ.

Seriously, if Canon ever releases a 50mm 1.8 IS it's going to be priced at about $600. That is BS.

 

[Ellen Schmidtee]

Hmmm,

Sigma 35mm 1.4 at $899

Canon 35mm F2 IS at $849


Canon is getting truly ridiculous with their prices.

It's worse where I live.

Sigma & Samyang lenses cost exactly the same as in the U.S. (= convert to local currency, add sales tax, and it's the same +- $25), while Canon lenses have a significant sum added, regardless ot who imports it.

E.g. the EF 40mm f/2.8 is priced (exclusive of sales tax, converted back to US$) $219 - those $70 are a 45% markup. The EF 8-15mm f/4 is priced $1695, or $387 (or 23%) markup.

The price of the Canon 35mm f/2 is a bit cheaper than the Sigma in the U.S., but will be significantly more expensive around here. I use fast lenses shooting bands in low light situations, so I prefer another f/stop to IS. If I decided to spend that much on a 35mm lens, the Sigma would win my cash (joining three other Sigmas in my bag), just because Canon's (and Canon's importers') pricing policy.

 

[Caps18]

I would be interested if it was a 24-70 F/2 IS... Do people not use these at ISO 100? Do people only take photos outside during the middle of sunny days? Do people not take photos of fast moving things? And the customers have wanted a 24-70 f/2.8 IS, where is that one?

Second, if they did want to stay with f/4, it should have been a 24-135mm. I would rather have a longer zoom if I am going to have one lens.

 

[BRNexus6]

What is the point of a expensive 24-70mm F/4 IS when there is already an excellent 24-105mm F4 IS that can be found used at a great price? Canon is thinking backwards.