Lens Rumors This Week

Direct quotes of lens info I've received
“Talked to the Canon EOS Rep today- was buying a 7D.  He said, “By the way, our current stock of 70-200 F/2.8 IS USM are being sold at an extra special price of USD1450. I can't tell you why, and you didn't hear it from me, but I can get you a special price for it”. When subtly probed on a new lens, he gave the very cryptic “I can't talk about any of that… all I can do is tell you that if you want the cheap 2.8, its now.”

24-70, 70-200 & 100-400 (eternal rumors I'm afraid)
“The Canon 70-200 2.8 II will see the light of day this side of the year for announcement. Improved optics at 2.8 and new 5 stop IS. It was suppose to be announced with the 1D Mark IV but was delayed slightly. I don’t deal with pricing at all but expect it to be 30% more expensive than the current model.

In 2010 look out for the Canon 24-70 II with IS, announcement due with 1Ds IV. The 100-400 is scheduled for renewal sometime in early 2010.”

14-24 Patent?
From an FM thread and Northlight.

Patent Here: http://www.google.com/patents?id=lbTIAAAAEBAJ

CR's Take
I really hope this lens isn't true. Yes, Canon needs a kick butt ultra wide angle. The 17-40 is worth what it costs, the 16-35 is a relative disappointment beside the Nikkor 14-24. What I don't like, and a few of my photographer friends also don't like is that you can't filter a 14mm lens (yes, there may be some do it yourself solution). What I'd like to see is a 16-24 f/2.8 lens with the performance of the Nikkor 14-24. I want to use polarizers, grad filters, ND filters and all that.

I'm not sure if I'm in the minority in regards to filters.

cr