New US Patent App: US20130201370A1 for EF24-70 F2.8 w and wo IS

[hpjfromdk]

A new Canon patent App: US20130201370A1, published today, entails 3 embodiments of a EF24-70 F2.8. The 1'st and 3'd embodiments are wo IS but the 2'nd has IS and details that the 4th lens group can be moved at a direction orthogonal to the optical axis to reduce shake. The total lenght of the lens varies between 155mm(W) and 185mm(L) for embodiments 1 and 3, and varaies between 161mm(W) and 197mm(L) for IS lens in embodiment 2.
Further details can be found here: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20130201370.pdf

 

[pharp]

I can see now why they were reluctant to release an IS version of this - besides the extra size and weight, it would probably cost at least $3000 - geesh.

 

[silvestography]

Seems to me like we're not far off from a line of 24-70's similar to the 70-200's. I wouldn't be surprised if there ends up being variants in combinations of f/2.8 and f/4 with and without IS.