Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
.jpg) New Canon EF 70-200/2.8L IS II USM - Available April 2010 |
Update 02/01/10 - Revised 02/23/10
Canon EF 70-200/2.8L IS II USM Preview
Canon have announced that they will be releasing the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM in April. This is an update of the venerable Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, one of Canon's best and most popular lenses among photojournalists and advanced amateur photographers.
The old lens was (and is) so good that it's hard to see how Canon can improve on it, but in their press release they say that the following changes have been made:
- A fifth UD element as been added (the current version has 4) along with a fluorite element. The current lens is sharp, so the new one should be even sharper (watch those fingers!).
- The AF speed has been increased via new focusing algorithms
- The minimum focus distance has been reduced from 4.6ft to 3.9ft (about an 8" reduction).
- Maximum magnification has been increased from 0.16x to 0.21x
- The IS system has been updated to give up to 4 stops of stabilization
- The lens barrel strength has been increased
- The focusing ring is wider
- The lens hood now locks in place more securely
I can't say I was really expecting this lens since the current version is so good (and so popular). I suppose it may in part be a response to the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II which was released this summer. Nikon added ED elements and improved their VR, so Canon have added more elements and improved their IS. And so it goes. I'm just wondering where the 24-70/2.8L IS and 400/5.6L IS are on the development ladder...
Canon EF 200mm f2.8L IS II USM Specifications
| Focal length | 70-200mm |
| Diagonal Angle of view (full frame) | 34º - 12º |
| Maximum aperture | f2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f32 |
| Elements/Groups | 23 elements/19 groups |
| Special elements | 1 Fluorite element, 5 UD glass elements |
| Diaphragm blades | 8 |
| Closest focus | 1.2m (47") |
| AF Motor | Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor with FTM |
| Maximum mag. | 0.21x |
| Image stabilization | 4 stops, 2 modes |
| Filter Size | 77mm |
| Lens Hood | ET-87 (supplied with lens) |
| Dimensions (diam x length) | 89mm x 199mm ; (3.5 x 7.8 inches) |
| Weight | 1490g (3.28 lb) |
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Official Canon Press Release
Canon’s New Incorporates Advanced Lens Elements and Enhanced Durability for High-Speed Autofocus and High-Performance Optical Image Stabilization
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 5, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, introduces the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Arguably the most popular focal range in Canon’s telephoto arsenal and a staple lens for any professional photographer, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens provides the focal length, maximum aperture and zoom power for capturing everything from fast-action sports to studio portraits. Built for the professional, the body structure of the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens has been enhanced to provide better durability and strength without a significant increase in weight. Canon has improved optical performance on the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens by redesigning the internal elements, incorporating a fluorite element and a fifth UD element. The use of the fluorite element and five UD elements helps to minimize secondary chromatic aberrations and produce better image quality with improved contrast and resolution through the entire zoom range; the end result is an optically precise lens worthy of becoming the leader of Canon’s L-series lenses.
Along with its redesigned optical elements, the new lens design features improved AF speed due to a new focusing algorithm and has reduced the minimum focusing distance to 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) through the entire zoom range, allowing photographers to capture tighter portraiture shots in a small studio space. The previous lens model’s minimum focusing distance was 4.6 feet (1.4 meters), whereas now photographers can stand nearly 8 inches closer to their subject and achieve sharp focus and tight crops. Canon has also enhanced the Image Stabilization allowing it to compensate for shutter speeds up to four steps slower than 1/focal length, a one step improvement over the previous lens model.
“Canon’s core has always been our optics, and we are constantly challenging ourselves to produce better and more advanced optical systems for our customers. The new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens incorporates the best advancements in Canon lens technology from the past few years and packages it into what we believe will be the most popular lens for professionals and advanced photographers,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
The enhanced magnesium alloy barrel design of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens features added strength with a minimal 20-gram increase in weight compared with the previous model (1490g vs. 1470g) and retains Canon’s protective seals and fittings providing dust and water resistance for those photographers working in adverse conditions. A new bayonet mount on the front of the lens includes a locking mechanism to ensure the supplied lens hood remains securely in place. Other noticeable improvements include a wider focusing ring, and sleeker design by reducing the thickness of any protruding elements such as the switch panel. The new lens is also compatible with Canon’s existing EF1.4X II and EF2X II Extenders as well as EF Extension Tubes and the 77mm Close-Up Lens 500D.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is supplied with a detachable tripod collar, a reversible bayonet mount lens hood and a lens pouch. The new lens is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in April, price to be determined.
For current price and availability see
[from 02/01/10]...Canon Japan have announced a price for the Canon EF 70-200/2.8L IS II USM, 300,000 Yen. At the current exchange rate the $US equivalent would be $3300. However don't panic as the price of the lens in the US should be much lower. The Japanese price on the original EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM is 280,000 Yen which would correspond to $3080, yet the list price in the US is only $1999, 65% of the direct currency conversion and the street price is closer to $1725.
The price increase of the MkII over the original version in Japan is around 7%, so the equivalent increase in the US list price would be $140 on a $1999 lens, or around $2140. I'd therefore expect a list price (and probable initial street price) around $2150 and in time that should drop to something closer to $1900.
As far as I know Canon USA have not officially announced the price of the EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM but it should be pretty close to $2150 as Japanese and US prices usually follow a similar pattern. The non-IS version of the 70-200/2.8L USM lists for 204,000 Yen ($2245). If the same 65% factor applies to the non-IS lens as it does to the IS lens, that would predict a US price of $1460. The actual US list price is $1449, pretty close, so the 65% factor seems like a good number!