Canon's EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM, EF 8-15mm f/4L fisheye, EF 300mm f/2.8L ISII USM, EF 400mm f/2.8L ISII USM and EF 1.4x/2x Extender III, plus 500mm & 600mm lenses in development
Following the announcement of the Canon EOS 60D, the company also unveiled a range of brand new EF lenses. With EF lenses designed for full-frame DSLRs (the 60D doesn’t fall into this category), perhaps this is a subtle nod towards future Canon models.
First up is the new EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, an image-stabilised zoom lens with two ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements and a floating lens group using Canon’s Super Spectra coating to reducing ghosting and flare. Autofocus (AF) is fast and quiet thanks to a ring-type USM AF motor, combined with the independent lens CPU and advanced AF algorithms to enable accurate, reliable focusing in all conditions. As per all L-designated Canon lenses, full time manual focus override is also possible – even when the AF motor is engaged. Available from October priced £1599.99.
Next up is the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM – the world’s first fisheye zoom lens offering both circular and full frame images. When used with EOS bodies featuring APS-C (such as the new 60D) or APS-H sensors, the lens produces a more traditional, full-frame fisheye view. With 14 lens elements in 11 different groups, including one aspherical and one Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element to correct chromatic aberration, the construction also benefits from Canon’s Super Spectra Coating and the inner surface of the front element features Canon’s SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC). The latter technology uses tiny cone-like structures, shorter than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of the lens element, to gradually slow light down until it is at the same speed as it travels through glass, removing the risk of flare occurring before the light reaches the sensor. A Fluorine Coating actively repels water, dust and dirt to ensure a high resistance to both dust and water. Available from January 2011 priced £1499.99.
Lastly there are a pair of super-telephoto lenses – the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Succeeding the well-respected EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM and the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM, the new lenses see a completely redesigned optical system and the latest IS II version of Canon’s original Image Stabilizer (IS) technology. An all-new magnesium alloy construction and titanium components ensure that the designs are both robust and lightweight, with the 400mm the lightest lens in its class ( as of August 2010) having dropped 28% of its weight (1.5KG) compared to its predecessor. Both lenses feature 16 elements in 12 different groups, using high performance fluorite lens elements that also feature both Canon’s latest Super Spectra Coating and SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC). The 300mm will be priced £7499.99, while the 400mm will demand a five-figure £11499.99 upon release.
Canon’s third generation extenders – either the 1.4x or 2x – will also see release in December. Both the Extender EF 1.4x/2x III will be priced £549.99.
Two other telephoto lenses are also in development – the EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM don’t have full release details or pricing information as yet, but further details to follow in the future.