Patent: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II

[x-vision]

I think I'm possibly the only one who believes that the new lens is intended to cost less to manufacture, rather than be optically a lot better.

If you remember, the 24-70/4L was originally priced at $1500.
At that time, Canon seemed to have considered the 24-70/4L as a 2-in-1 lens, slotted above the 24-105/4L in the lens lineup.

In reality, the 24-70/4L was received as a slow zoom with not enough range and a macro gimmick.
Subsequently, the MSRP of the 24-70/4L had to be dropped by 30%.

Since Canon couldn't position the 24-70/4L above the 24-105/4L, I believe that they will now try the opposite and position the new 24-105/4L as the more premium lens.

And to do that, they will make the new 24-105/4L better optically (and overall), so that the new lens can avoid being discounted all the time and can keep a street price of $1000-1200 (and hopefully not more than that).

 

[JonAustin]

I hope they add a lock switch to prevent lens creep.

Creeping is already fixed on the later released Mk1 but yeah I get you, my latest and only 24-105 F4 which was manufactured on early 2014 still has that problem.

@siegsAR: While I don't refute your claim that Canon has fixed the 24-105L's zoom creep in later released copies, I wonder how much later, since you report creep in your early 2014 copy.

Zoom creep is one of my major complaints about this lens, probably because the only other lens I own with an extending barrel is the 100-400 II, and it has a zoom lock (a.k.a. "zoom touch adjustment ring").

I tried to eliminate (or at least reduce) the zoom creep in my first 24-105L (purchased new in 12/2005), by applying some of the "fixes" I found on the web, none of which worked. I sold that copy and bought a newer one in 9/2013 out of a 6D kit. Its zoom action was tight at first, but it eventually loosened up, and so its creep is nearly as bad as its predecessor's.

I will be watching for reviews of the 24-105L II with interest, and a zoom lock mechanism of some kind would be a significant inducement for me to buy, especially if the lens' optical performance is also improved.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I hope they add a lock switch to prevent lens creep.

Creeping is already fixed on the later released Mk1 but yeah I get you, my latest and only 24-105 F4 which was manufactured on early 2014 still has that problem.

@siegsAR: While I don't refute your claim that Canon has fixed the 24-105L's zoom creep in later released copies, I wonder how much later, since you report creep in your early 2014 copy.

Zoom creep is one of my major complaints about this lens, probably because the only other lens I own with an extending barrel is the 100-400 II, and it has a zoom lock (a.k.a. "zoom touch adjustment ring").

I tried to eliminate (or at least reduce) the zoom creep in my first 24-105L (purchased new in 12/2005), by applying some of the "fixes" I found on the web, none of which worked. I sold that copy and bought a newer one in 9/2013 out of a 6D kit. Its zoom action was tight at first, but it eventually loosened up, and so its creep is nearly as bad as its predecessor's.

I will be watching for reviews of the 24-105L II with interest, and a zoom lock mechanism of some kind would be a significant inducement for me to buy, especially if the lens' optical performance is also improved.

My copy was fine for years but has also started loosening up and creeping... A zoom lock to keep it in the wide angle position would help against the wear and tear due to the hood catching when taking the lens/camera combi out of the bag.