Canon announced two new lenses tonight, and they’re already available for pre-order.
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM for $1299.00 at Adorama, B&H
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM for $2099.00 at Adorama, B&H
The EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM is a re-vamped version of the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM. This new lens features a shorter minimum focusing distance, a five-stop optical image stabilizer, and three stabilization modes. The best feature is likely the price — at $1299, it’s only modestly more expensive than its predecessor (currently $1099 retail).
The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM is a surprising update to one of the most popular lenses in the line-up, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II. According to Canon, the optical formula has not changed, and the only enhancements are on new lens coatings for flare and ghosting reduction. This lens is also carries a very reasonable introductory price tag at $2099.
Here’s a great video from Canon USA introducing the new lenses.
What an update on the F4! Was already a very good lens, the new model will be a quite welcome addition to the line up. I do want to point out that the Tamron G2 F2.8 model is at a similar price point. We won’t know how the Canon is optically until it is released, but I am going to guess it’s pretty great, and is at least equal to the Tamron if not better. But F4 can’t be F2.8, so that is something to keep in mind, as well as other factors like AF performance and size/weight.
The F2.8 III is basically the same as the version II, which was already about as good as it gets for a lens. One of the best 70-200mm lenses out there, and in my opinion it’s the best zoom in the Canon line up. If you have the version II there would likely be no reason to go to the version III. And if you were looking at the version III, you can probably save a few bucks by getting the version II instead. I would guess that Canon will discontinue version II once the III is out.
I really thought they would do at least some minor updates, like better IS, or even some kind of high end nano-USM. Not too disappointed though, since now I know that the IS ii would be a solid investment and not be losing out on new features.