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Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II Announced

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<p><strong>Finally Announced!</strong></p>
<p>London, UK, 7th February 2012 – Canon today adds to its world-famous EF lens series with the launch of three new lenses for photography professionals and enthusiasts. The new EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM professional zoom lens is an update to the popular EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, while the new EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM and EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM are the world’s first1 wide-angle prime lenses to feature optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology. All three provide the highest levels of performance for modern digital photographers, combining premium image quality with durable, userfriendly designs.</p>
<p><strong>EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM: the ultra-high performance standard zoom

</strong>The new EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM features completely redesigned optics to provide outstanding clarity, image quality and durability. A compact design makes it ideal for carrying on every shoot, and a range of optical enhancements provide improved performance – capturing greater detail across the frame while reducing distortion throughout the entire zoom range, particularly at the maximum 70mm focal length.</p>
<p>With a redesigned optical system that includes two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) and one Super UD aspheric elements to minimise chromatic aberration and colour blurring, the lens delivers consistently sharp, high-contrast images. Each lens element also features Canon’s optimised Super Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare and ensure excellent colour balance. Additionally, a fluorine coating minimises the amount of dust, dirt and fingerprints that adhere to the front and rear of the lens, helping to maintain superior image quality.</p>
<p>The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM also enables photographers to capture their subjects up close, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.38m at all focal lengths throughout the zoom range. A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) works in combination with a highperformance CPU and advanced AF algorithms to ensure accurate, silent and ultraresponsive autofocus. For those who prefer to maintain full control in every shot, fulltime manual focusing allows photographers to precisely tweak or alter the focus of their shot at any time, even when AF is engaged.</p>
<p><strong>Distinguished L-series design

</strong>The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is the latest lens from the elite L-series to offer Canon’s high-grade and user-focused design enhancements. The mechanical structure of the lens has been improved to offer enhanced zoom durability and greater shake and shock resistance within the lens barrel. The size of the lens has also been reduced by 10mm compared to the previous model, providing enhanced portability and greater convenience in everyday use. A new Zoom Lock lever also enables photographers to lock the zoom position at the extreme wide end to prevent damage to the lens in transit, while a water and dustproof construction2 enables users to continue shooting in harsh conditions.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>
 
In the words of Otto from A Fish Called Wanda[/i]:

DISAPPOINTED!

The lack of IS was anticipated, but I was secretly hoping for it anyway. Combined with a nearly $1,000 price increase, the lack of IS is a no-go for me. Paying that much for slightly better optics and a slightly lower weight is not in the cards. I have used and loved the 24-70 2.8 for six years as a wedding photographer, but will most likely be looking at the IS Tamron model for a future replacement.

Now... can we see our new mid-range FF, please?
 
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Seriously WTH Canon? They give the two new primes IS but dont give it to the 24-70 mkII?!?? That seriously doesn't make any sense! Seriously IMO unless you're a pro/have money to burn why would you buy the mkII when you could buy the mkI? Besides optics and IQ being better, yadda yadda, i know. canon are going in the wrong direction i think
 
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seriously, yes. ;)

Ok, I realise a lot of people wanted IS. And it is a bit strange they did put it into these primes, yet not in the zoom. From a marketing perspective, this could go down very badly among some users. And I also agree the price is very, very steep.

But as we've heard, the prototypes with IS were much larger and heavier and it could have meant a sacrifice in IQ, not to mention an even higher price.

The mk 1 had some serious flaws in the IQ department, that's why I sold my copy. If the mk II is all about IQ, yes - I'd be interested.
 
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Did I miss an availability date? Or has Canon just given up on promising them, since they've demonstrated they can't meet them (500/4 II and 600/4 II announced August, 2010 and still waiting...)?
 
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*Faint* I cant see why people would want to buy this UGLY lens WITHOUT IS for $2000.

Im keeping my current BEAUTIFUL 24-70 MKI for now. And tamnron has the IS version. SHAME ON YOU CANON!!!
 
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24 and 28 with IS, 24-70 without... hmmmmmm? It must be some optical design thing, right? Easy to provide IS in the 24 and 28 while maintaining image quality, hard in the 24-70, and they have prioritized high image quality. That's the only way I can see any logic in this.
 
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The first thing I want to say is that I really look forward to seeing a comparison between this lens and the Tamron 24-70 VC lens. Like many others, I own the current 24-70, and if one of those two new lenses is a significant improvement, I will upgrade.

I predict that this lens will be offered as the standard "kit" lens with the successor of the 5D2 (regardless of whether it is named 5D3, 5DX, 3D or something else)

And yes - is is clear that those claiming the photo of this lens posted yesterday was just a PS job were wrong...very wrong. ;)
 
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Is Canon reading the market correctly or are they resting on their laurels? I reckon the latter. There IS competition out there. I decided to go the Canon route when I first bought my 20D then upgraded to the 7D. Bought Canon glass, essential glass, but not too much as I soon realised that the competition wasn't going to lay down forever. Canon are forcing me to decide between it and the competition, rather than rewarding me for my loyalty. Product prices pitched far too high and then the advent of a 24-70 without IS is just plain dumb and arrogant. Or is it just lazy? Time will tell.
 
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LuCoOc said:
Now that we finally have the mark II, I'm ready to hear rumors for the mark III. Seriously it better be as good as the 70-200 II.

+1

THis feels as if the MKII has NOT been anounced yet!! I love it that tamron announced the IS version of their lens the day before Canon!
 
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Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy that the long wait is over and the damn lens is finally out!

The thing I'm happy about is that Canon is moving along and getting something done. This makes me feel better about my investment in the system itself.

Sadly the lack of IS is the thing I'm not happy about. I simply can't put this much money into a lens which is only usable (for me that is) on a tripod.

Hopefully they'll upgrade the 24-105 soon so that I can get rid of the 24-70 I have now. Don't know if it's my lack of skills, the unforgiving nature of the 7Ds sensor or that the lens has issues, but my keeper rate with the MkI hand-held is nowhere near what its supposed to be.
 
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neuroanatomist said:
Did I miss an availability date? Or has Canon just given up on promising them, since they've demonstrated they can't meet them (500/4 II and 600/4 II announced August, 2010 and still waiting...)?

My thoughts exactly, where is the date? ??? I guess we will have to continue rumors on this lens but now it will be regarding its availability date!
 
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Competition is good, isn't it?!
The Tamron 24-70 couldn't come better at this time.
I think Canon have to make something with the price for the 24-70 II. And if this happens, then is a merit from Tamron too.

I can live without IS IF the image quality and AF are really that good and IF Canon 5D Mark III has a bigger DR and a better high ISO performance.
 
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