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A New L Zoom is Coming [CR2]

Canon Rumors

Who Dey
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Jul 20, 2010
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We were told previously that the next L lens would be a prime, and it looks like it’ll be the EF 35mm f/1.4L II. We expect it to be announced on August 14, 2015 if the announcement date rumors are true.</p>
<p>Now we’re told the next L lens will be a fast zoom (most likely f/2.8), but not until early 2016. An EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II replacement is the odds on favourite at present. Prototypes of an EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS exist, but whether or not it will become a product anytime soon is anyones guess.</p>
<p>While the source was confident that’s what we’d see, they did say it was possible a development announcement for a new supertelephoto could be on the horizon. While there’s lots going on in development of a new long focal length lens, there is nothing imminent.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>
 
arthurbikemad said:
Another 24-70 as a IS is interesting, some of my pro palls feel IS makes an image "soft"... anyway... love my 24-70 F2.8 Mk2! Amazing lense, can it get any better??

I think it is true that some IS lenses are softer than non-IS versions because of the design, or because of extra optical elements. But sometimes the IS versions are sharper, particularly if they are a newer design. If the IS algorithm is well behaved, then there should be no softness as a result of unwanted IS group movement, not like the old lenses that tend to drift with IS on.

I would buy either a 16-35 f/2.8 III or a 24-70 f/2.8 IS, or both! But I probably can't afford both. A 16-35 f/2.8 IS would be nice, too, but it seems like IS is less necessary for wider focal lengths.
 
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Fast L zoom? Let's assume that means f/2.8 for now.

Theory #1 -- it's an existing FL range fast zoom. Looking at the usual suspects:
(dates from NL)

  • 16-35 f/2.8L II was released in 2007
  • 24-70 f/2.8L II was released in 2012
  • 70-200 f/2.8L was released in 1995
  • 70-200 f/2.8L IS II was released in 2010

...and presuming the non-IS version of the 70-200 is being phased out (or simply left as is to prop up the IS II price), I have to presume the 16-35 f/2.8L III is the logical next fast zoom. Canon is likely to complete it's fairly ambitious UWA zoom overhaul and all three camps -- event/sports, landscape/video, and architecture/U-U-UWA -- all have a shiny new great lens.

Theory #2 -- it's an all new FL range for a fast L zoom. Not buying this idea. Canon has been inventing all sorts of nutty FL ranges of late, esp. on cheaper mounts (EF-S 24mm pancake, EF-S 10-18, EF-M 11-22, EF-M 15-45, etc.), but I just don't think pros are screaming for that.

Maaaaaaaybe a 120-300 f/2.8 like Sigma has, but that's hardly a screaming need by the field and it would certainly cannibalize other L lenses that straddle that range.

Surely not a 14-24 f/2.8L after the 11-24 has been released. No chance.

- A
 
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I hope it is a 24-70 2.8 with IS. Although I can't see a way to price this without going astronomical since the current non-IS model is already expensive as hell.

I have the f/4 IS version and it's quite disappointing - too soft at 50mm wide open and serious focus shifting especially noticeable on closeup portraits.
 
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Proscribo said:
Huge (I mean HUUUGE) 24-70mm f/2.0! :o :o It'll weight about as much as a car but costs ten times as much. :)

Right. We totally forgot that Canon might respond to Sigma's 200-500 f/2.8, which is (as we all now) a huge hit with the Soccer Moms/Dads of the world.

- A
 

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Cool news! As much as I'd love to see a 24-70mm f/2.8 IS, I'm not to sure it seems like a necessary move by Canon with the current f/2.8 selling like hot cakes as is. As well as the existing f/2.8 only being 3 years old.

I'd have to agree the 16-35mm f/2.8 III seems most likely as a replacement. That or a completely new lens design.

Can't wait to see what's to come :)
 
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what about a new version walk-around zoom to be part of the upcoming 5diV kit? like a 24-105mm mk2 a or better 21-120mm f4 IS :D

edit: up till today, there are no mk3 versions of any Canon lens...so might not be a 24-105 but I have serious doubts about a mk3 series starting up, with so many mk1 needing an upgrade

edit 2: except for extenders...
 
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I would like to see

14-35 F2.8 L (non-IS is okay)

or 28-300 L but much lighter than current monster. Something I could walk around with and not scream photo geek
 
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