One interesting aspect is that the weight of the Nikon 200-500 is a staggering 2300g compared to the Canon 100-400 MkII's 1570g
As expected. The constant f/5.6 aperture at 500mm is as much a feature as it is a burden. That is likely why they didn't go 600mm like the others. But it also means you should be able to mount a TC without worrying about your aperture when you zoom.
Canon does not like to imitate others
marketing BS. The 200-400 canon wouldn't exist was it not because nikon made one first. The added TC was a nice bonus, but ultimately it is basically a reactionary lens with some value added. The 5Ds would probably not been rushed with that old sensor was it not for the D800, and canon wouldn't be dipping their toes in mirrorless had everybody else not done so. They all copy each other. Nikon sony do it too. Apple copies google, and vice versa. This is how it has always been and will always be. All these companies like you to think they are not affected by the competition. That is just marketing puffing.
Having said that the new canon 24-70 will have IS, when it is due. But that is at least 4+ years from now. They won't just rush this project because making a new lens from design to commercial production isn't that simple even if they just got started this week. Just looking at nikon's own video on this lens, they really took their time to not just slap IS on their old design.
http://nikonrumors.com/2015/08/04/new-philosophy-of-nikkor-video-with-some-technical-details-on-the-24-70mm-f2-8e-ed-vr-lens.aspx/
So you can imagine adding IS to the existing design of the canon isn't trivial either and likely go past as much optimizations. That on top of competing for resources that are currently working on other things. It is clear nikon wanted IS/VR on their old model released about 8 years ago. But seems like just as canon found out in the alleged prototypes with IS, the lens gets larger fast making its commercial production tricky. Nikon just worked longer on the problem. Canon just moved on. That is all.
To me the really interesting part of this is the set of 1.8 primes, which at this point are unmatched by anybody
With 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 85 already in place, if joined by a sony-like 135 f1.8 would really crown it.
The other interesting bit is that the 14-24 f/2.8 was the same age as the 24-70 but did not get refreshed yet. I was expecting both to be launched side by side. I wonder if they will keep it f/2.8 or compromise it to f/4 like canon did just to achieve a bit more FOV or if they are going all out and keeping it f/2.8 but going wider. Regardless, a refresh even of the 14-24 at f/2.8 designed to the demands of high MP sony sensors will be interesting. In particular if they start using some of the tech they used on the 24-70, like that aspherical ED glass over conventional aspherical glass, and the HRI (high refractive index) glass elements. It will be one to watch for.
Sounds like a the gasps of a dying company
sounds like the gasps of a fanboy.
