Canon Working on Faster f/2.8 Ultra Wide Zoom [CR2]

[Canon Rumors]

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We were told almost immediately after the announcement of the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1051475-USA/canon_9518b002_ef_16_35mm_f_4l_is.html/BI/2466/KBID/3296" target="_blank">EF 16-35 f/4L IS</a> that Canon is indeed working on an f/2.8 ultra wide angle zoom. The lens will be wider than 16mm, although the exact optical formula is not known. We have heard in the past that an EF 12-24 f/2.8L  or <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/06/canon-ef-14-24-f2-8l-cr2/" target="_blank">EF 14-24 f/2.8L</a> was in the works to compete with the Nikon 14-24 f/2.8G, which some Canon shooters have converted to their EOS bodies.</p>
<p>It was stressed that the lens was “not close” to being announced, and would probably arrive within 6 months of a higher megapixel full frame prosumer camera body.</p>
<p>We’re also told that the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/279582-USA/Canon_8806A002_EF_17_40mm_f_4L_USM.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">Canon EF 17-40 f/4L</a> will remain a current product in the Canon lineup for the time being. Although with how close they are in price, which I’m still surprised about. I can’t see many people not savings a bit longer for the new lens. This may be a matter of depleting stock before discontinuation.</p>
<p><strong>Preorder the Canon EF 16-35 f/4L IS $1199:</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K8942SO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00K8942SO&linkCode=as2&tag=canorumo-20&linkId=6AVWEQKBYJ7TXPHU" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <strong><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1051475-USA/canon_9518b002_ef_16_35mm_f_4l_is.html/BI/2466/KBID/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a></strong> | <a href="http://adorama.evyy.net/c/60085/51926/1036?u=http://www.adorama.com/CA16354.html?kbid=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[FunPhotons]

Choices, choices ... this is the year of the UWA zoom.

Do you want IS, IQ and filters, or less range, slightly lower range, another stop and a big, bulbous nose?

 

[YehiOrLightBe]

After reading for ages I took now the time to register and would like to ask:

Does [CR2] also apply to "a higher megapixel full frame prosumer camera body" - and what could that be?

This forum is so full of inspiration regarding photography - thank you all.

Thomas

 

[DRR]

Isn't there generally a patent that surfaces a few months before a lens is announced and then ships?

Have there been any patents by Canon that correlate with this range/aperture?

 

[Khalai]

Isn't there generally a patent that surfaces a few months before a lens is announced and then ships?

Have there been any patents by Canon that correlate with this range/aperture?

Quite many actually AFAIK. I've seen many patents and rumors about either 14-24/2.8 or even 12-24/2.8 on this web past few months/years.

 

[Dylan777]

More options...Uhmmmmm, sounds good to me

 

[Etienne]

A lot of people will want both the 16-35 f/4L IS and a 12-24 f/2.8 ....

...like me

Time to start selling stuff

 

[docsmith]

Love the idea of the updates. But I wonder if Canon's plan is to keep size and weight down with f/2.8 zooms (rumored 12/14-24 L and the 24-70 II) so they will not have IS and f/4 (16-35 f/4 IS; 24-70/105 f/4), requiring less glass, will have IS.

If that is the case, my decision is simple, the 16-35 f/4 IS. Four stops of IS will be much more useful to me for landscapes than 1 stop of aperture.

Glad I've held off on buying my UWA zoom lens.

 

[unfocused]

We’re also told that the Canon EF 17-40 f/4L will remain a current product in the Canon lineup for the time being. Although with how close they are in price, which I’m still surprised about. I can’t see many people not savings a bit longer for the new lens.

Not a surprise at all to me. the EF 17-40 is currently selling for $739 after rebate. Bring it down to $650 and it makes a nice alternative to the new 16-45 "L" for those who want an ultra-wide for occasional use, but don't need IS or razor sharp corners. The extra 5mm at the long end also makes it more versatile as a "walk around" lens.

Canon has kept the 70-200mm f4 non-IS in the lineup at a similar price differential and IS is far more important on a telephoto than an ultra-wide.

 

[Phenix205]

For travel landscape shooting, the 16-35 4L IS is perfect. The IS makes hand held slow shutter speed and low ISO possible which is great. For serious landscape work, really should be looking at the TS-E or Zeiss lenses. For event and photojournalism, the new 2.8 would be the choice to stop the motion.

 

[jeffa4444]

In the US the prices maybe close but in Europe they are not £ 1,199 for the 16-35mm f4L and £ 629 for the 17-40mm f4L thats a big difference. Interestingly the 16-35mm f2.8 II is £ 1,214 only £ 15.00 more ($ 25)
Go figure European pricing!

Compare that to the B&H prices which are $ 1,699 for the 16-35mm f4L and $ 839 for the 17-40mm f4L

 

[Dukinald]

Sounds like holding off on the 17-40 was the right decision :

 

[ewg963]

Ok ok now this is what I've been waiting for....

 

[Random Orbits]

Does this mean no 16-35 f/2.8 III?

 

[Etienne]

Does this mean no 16-35 f/2.8 III?

Impossible to predict. It's a favorite photo journalism lens, probably much more practical than the 12-24 range. And future high ISO improvements may make an update to the f/2.8 even less relevant.
Long term, I would think:

1. 12-24 (or 14-24) f/2.8L
2. 16-35 f/4L IS (the 17-40 f/4L is a goner I think)
3. 16-35 f/2.8L III (I tend to think there'll be an update)

I think there's room for all three zooms, and if push came to shove I would probably favor an optically excellent 16-35 2.8L III over an optically excellent 16-35 f/4L IS. But I'd prefer an optically excellent 16-35 f/4L IS over the less-than-excellent 16-35 f/2.8L II (which I currently own, and love). The 14 f/2.8L II may not see another update.

 

[rrcphoto]

Isn't there generally a patent that surfaces a few months before a lens is announced and then ships?

Have there been any patents by Canon that correlate with this range/aperture?

Quite many actually AFAIK. I've seen many patents and rumors about either 14-24/2.8 or even 12-24/2.8 on this web past few months/years.

I've seen rumors, and the continual link of one patent which doesn't have a 14-24/2.8 embodiment at all with it.

so i'd be curious on these many patents.

 

[rrcphoto]

Does this mean no 16-35 f/2.8 III?

Impossible to predict. It's a favorite photo journalism lens, probably much more practical than the 12-24 range. And future high ISO improvements may make an update to the f/2.8 even less relevant.
Long term, I would think:

1. 12-24 (or 14-24) f/2.8L
2. 16-35 f/4L IS (the 17-40 f/4L is a goner I think)
3. 16-35 f/2.8L III (I tend to think there'll be an update)

I think there's room for all three zooms, and if push came to shove I would probably favor an optically excellent 16-35 2.8L III over an optically excellent 16-35 f/4L IS. But I'd prefer an optically excellent 16-35 f/4L IS over the less-than-excellent 16-35 f/2.8L II (which I currently own, and love). The 14 f/2.8L II may not see another update.

I could see this more than i could see the 16-35/2.8 being dropped from the lens lineup - this is a very useful lens that accepts filters.

 

[sagittariansrock]

Does this mean no 16-35 f/2.8 III?

Impossible to predict. It's a favorite photo journalism lens, probably much more practical than the 12-24 range. And future high ISO improvements may make an update to the f/2.8 even less relevant.
Long term, I would think:

1. 12-24 (or 14-24) f/2.8L
2. 16-35 f/4L IS (the 17-40 f/4L is a goner I think)
3. 16-35 f/2.8L III (I tend to think there'll be an update)

I think there's room for all three zooms, and if push came to shove I would probably favor an optically excellent 16-35 2.8L III over an optically excellent 16-35 f/4L IS. But I'd prefer an optically excellent 16-35 f/4L IS over the less-than-excellent 16-35 f/2.8L II (which I currently own, and love). The 14 f/2.8L II may not see another update.

I think the 17-40L will stay, and so will the 16-35 II. The 12/4-24 and 16-35 will be additions.

 

[rrcphoto]

Does this mean no 16-35 f/2.8 III?

Impossible to predict. It's a favorite photo journalism lens, probably much more practical than the 12-24 range. And future high ISO improvements may make an update to the f/2.8 even less relevant.
Long term, I would think:

1. 12-24 (or 14-24) f/2.8L
2. 16-35 f/4L IS (the 17-40 f/4L is a goner I think)
3. 16-35 f/2.8L III (I tend to think there'll be an update)

I think there's room for all three zooms, and if push came to shove I would probably favor an optically excellent 16-35 2.8L III over an optically excellent 16-35 f/4L IS. But I'd prefer an optically excellent 16-35 f/4L IS over the less-than-excellent 16-35 f/2.8L II (which I currently own, and love). The 14 f/2.8L II may not see another update.

I think the 17-40L will stay, and so will the 16-35 II. The 12/4-24 and 16-35 will be additions.

same.

with the 17-40 and the 24-105 sticking around, canon doesn't have to create any cheap consumer lenses for full frame for now.

 

[C-mon]

In the US the prices maybe close but in Europe they are not £ 1,199 for the 16-35mm f4L and £ 629 for the 17-40mm f4L thats a big difference. Interestingly the 16-35mm f2.8 II is £ 1,214 only £ 15.00 more ($ 25)
Go figure European pricing!

Compare that to the B&H prices which are $ 1,699 for the 16-35mm f4L and $ 839 for the 17-40mm f4L

I have checked German prices and they are from 1249 EUR for 16-35 f2.8L II and 1019 EUR for 16-35 for f4.0L (preorder, I expect that the price will drop under 1000 EUR soon) with VAT.