New Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS v.2 lens!

[Grimace]

*EDIT* -- mysterious disappearance of lenses turns into one new lens - and the return of the rest

The new 70-200mm f/2.8L IS Version II was just posted to Canon's site:

Hey guys, I know that the Olympics and CES are both near, but it would seem strange for Canon to axe or revamp the bulk of its lens lineup. Still, there are a ton of lenses missing from the Canon USA web site

Big update with new IS system? New mount? Some idiot hit the delete key too many times? Here is what is missing:
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ultra Wide Zoom
EF 17-40mm f4L USM
Standard Zoom
EF 24-70mm f2.8L
EF 28-200 f3.5-5.6 USM

Telephoto Zoom
EF 28-300mm f3.5-5.6L IS USM
EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM
EF 70-200mm f4L USM
EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 DO IS USM
EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM
EF 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 USM

Wide Angle (Prime
EF 15mm f2.8 fisheye
EF 20mm f2.8 USM
EF 24mm f2.8
EF 28mm f1.8 USM
EF 28mm f2.8
EF 35mm f1.4L USM
EF 35mm f2

Standard and Medium Telephoto (Prime)
EF 50mm f1.4 USM
EF 50mm f1.8 II
EF 85mm f1.8 USM
EF 100mm f2 USM

Telephoto (Prime)
EF 135mm f2L USM
EF 135mm f2.8 with Softfocus
EF 200mm f2.8L II USM
EF 300mm f2.8L IS USM
EF 300mm F4L IS USM

Super Telephoto (Prime)
EF 400mm f2.8L IS USM
EF 400mm f4 DO IS USM
EF 400mm f5.6L USM
EF 500mm f4L IS USM
EF 600mm f4L IS USM

Macro
EF 50mm f2.5 compact macro
MP-E 65mm f2.8 1-5x macro
EF 180mm f3.5L macro USM

Tilt Shift
TS-E 45mm f2.8
TS-E 90mm f2.8

 

[luminosity]

The absence of the 135/2L tells me that it's just an error of some kind. There's no way they ditch one of the finest lenses in any system.

 

[Grimace]

The absence of the 135/2L tells me that it's just an error of some kind. There's no way they ditch one of the finest lenses in any system.

And the entire range of 300-600mm lenses didn't do it for you?

Such very specific omissions from each of the categories makes me think that something is afoot. All of the EF-S along with newer EF lenses are still left. To me, it looks like a massive update with newer IS technology.

 

[firestarter]

To me, it looks like a massive update with newer IS technology.

What, in the middle of a recession? New IS for the 50 1.8? Canon never update more than 2-3 lenses at once, and they'd wait 'till PMA in a month or two to reveal any changes.

I think you need to cut back on whatever you're smoking. It's probably just a website or database upgrade.

 

[Grimace]

I've used Canon for decades so I am only playfully submitting that this is a major major overhaul. But then again, lenses have disappeared and reappeared the last three times that Canon introduced new lenses!

But, to keep it interesting, these lenses were SPECIFICALLY moved to the Canon ARCHIVE page -- how would we explain that intentional act?

 

[firestarter]

I've used Canon for decades so I am only playfully submitting that this is a major major overhaul. But then again, lenses have disappeared and reappeared the last three times that Canon introduced new lenses!

But, to keep it interesting, these lenses were SPECIFICALLY moved to the Canon ARCHIVE page -- how would we explain that intentional act?

Well, that's certainly interesting. I'd like to see some of those lenses overhauled!

 

[fiercetiger224]

Wow, it would be crazy if they did one big update. It would be crazy if they added on hybrid IS for all those lenses. Looks like I'll have to hold off on getting some lenses for the next year.

I've been wanting to pick up a 50mm for a while, just never had a need to for shooting photos, but I'd like it for videos.

 

[Full of Win]

I'm glad to see the 300mm f/4L IS go, it was a woefully outdated design from 1996 or so. Hope they give us a Mark II soon with modern IS and optics designed with experience gained over the last 15 years.

I so need a prime in this focal length, but not enough to shell out the 4500 admission to the 2.8 IS version.

 

[Grimace]

Part of me keeps thinking that Canon is just going to change up the organization of its web site (EF-S vs. EF products) but moving so many lenses to the archive page has me really confused. Maybe it is a holding ground for each lenses web files until the reorg the site.

For a major player in the photography world, Canon certainly could do a lot better with its web site for cameras and lenses. It is adequate right now, but a wow-factor could go a long way for the marketing dept.

 

[kreuzberg]

Seems like Canon will be making announcements at CES on January 5th and 9th so they could be announced then.

 

[Kebabselector]

There still listed on the European websites (well UK anyway). Mind you the EU websites usually are the last to get updated.

 

[firestarter]

Maybe they have a 15 - 600mm f2.8 compact zoom lens that they're planning to wipe out all their other lenses with.

 

[peskaa]

I struggle to believe they have a replacement for the MP-E 65mm in the wings...

 

[flosseR]

Maybe they have a 15 - 600mm f2.8 compact zoom lens that they're planning to wipe out all their other lenses with.

15!!! try 12mm-200mm f 2.8 with IS II
specs:
20cm long, 2.5KG, 18 elements in 17 groups, filter thread: 110mm

 

[TonyK]

Could be as simple as flipping a bit in the DB.

I've used Canon for decades so I am only playfully submitting that this is a major major overhaul. But then again, lenses have disappeared and reappeared the last three times that Canon introduced new lenses!

But, to keep it interesting, these lenses were SPECIFICALLY moved to the Canon ARCHIVE page -- how would we explain that intentional act?

 

[JFreak]

24-70mm f2.8L

Mark II for this, without external extension while zooming, and we have a winner I would love to buy a lens with that focal length range for my wife, but I hate that it extends.

 

[Phrasikleia]

24-70mm f2.8L

Mark II for this, without external extension while zooming, and we have a winner I would love to buy a lens with that focal length range for my wife, but I hate that it extends.

And with IS, please!

 

[Full of Win]

Mark II for this, without external extension while zooming, and we have a winner I would love to buy a lens with that focal length range for my wife, but I hate that it extends.

Would that not make storage a hassle; given that it would have to be longer to accommodate the maximum focal length.

 

[mtbdudex]

Glad I waited before buying some of the Canon sale items, possible newer ones on the horizon:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PromotionsAct&promocat=139

Instant Rebate
Save up to $500 on select Canon EF and EF-S lenses when you purchase between October 22, 2009 - January 16, 2010. Download .pdf for complete details.
Qualifying Products:
EF 200mm f/2L IS USM
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

We'll see what CES 2010 brings.

 

[JFreak]

Would that not make storage a hassle; given that it would have to be longer to accommodate the maximum focal length.

Remember that the current EF 24-70 f/2.8L (Mark I) in fact reverse-extends, (is largest at its minimum focal length) which makes it really annoying to use. This is a deal-breaker for me, it feels crap. And my baby can break anything that has visibly moving parts

I'm sure my imaginary Mark II physical dimensions could be something between the following:

EF 16-35 f/2.8L
EF 70-200 f/2.8L

I wouldn't mind slightly longer/heavier barrel if the dimensions were always exactly the same. And if that goal prevents 24-70 range, then be it 35-70 or whatever is possible.

 

[firestarter]

Remember that the current EF 24-70 f/2.8L (Mark I) in fact reverse-extends, (is largest at its minimum focal length) which makes it really annoying to use. This is a deal-breaker for me, it feels crap.

That's a good thing!

The lens hood works a lot better due to the front element moving outwards at the wide end!!

 

[jared_kipe]

Remember that the current EF 24-70 f/2.8L (Mark I) in fact reverse-extends, (is largest at its minimum focal length) which makes it really annoying to use. This is a deal-breaker for me, it feels crap. And my baby can break anything that has visibly moving parts

The reverse extend is a feature! It means that the lens hood is very deep at 70mm and very shallow at 24mm. Otherwise the lens hood for that would only be a cm tall or something at its thickest.

 

[akdj]

Couldn't be a better time for an upgrade...as mentioned, with the Olympics coming...the new 1d4 hitting shelves soon, the high rez sensors in the 7d and 5d2 are hitting the resolution limits of alot of this glass...In fact, much of the glass Grimace mentioned was developed for film and the first DSLRs (Late 90's-early 2000's).

I think there is a VERY strong possibility that they upgrade several lenses, if not, all of them (those quoted). If they've moved to a different process of manufacture, it makes sense to change all of the production lines simultaneously with the new parts and processes.

Exciting times, for sure. Not to mention, there should be a surplus of pre-owned lenses hitting ebay, Craigslist, and the like.

J

 

[carlgo]

Part of me keeps thinking that Canon is just going to change up the organization of its web site (EF-S vs. EF products) but moving so many lenses to the archive page has me really confused. Maybe it is a holding ground for each lenses web files until the reorg the site.

For a major player in the photography world, Canon certainly could do a lot better with its web site for cameras and lenses. It is adequate right now, but a wow-factor could go a long way for the marketing dept.

Isn't it amazing how many big companies of every kind have terrible web sites? It can only mean that management has no clue about such things.

 

[Acsom]

My brother in law is a process engineer for Schott Optical Glass, who make a lot of the glass for Canon; they have nothing new in the pipeline, as far as he says. Of course, his plant might not be working on that, but there you go.

Also, nothing about this at the Canon specific forums, photography-on-the.net; or at the-digital-picture.com, a site that reviews Canon products only, and which would have advance notice of any pending reviews.