Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens Announced

Canon just announced that they will be releasing the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens – a Mark II version in April.

This update will be replacing the oh so popular Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens which has gotten the venerable place as one of Canon’s best flagship lenses among the professionals as well as advanced amateurs.

One must wonder how can Canon improve on the already superior quality lens but they have announced the following improvements

• An Autofocus speed increase via new focusing algorithms
• The minimum focus distance is now down to 3.9ft from 4.6ft
• Maximum magnification is now 0.21x from 0.16x
• The focusing ring is a little wider
• A fifth UD element has been added which will make the images that much sharper
• The IS system receives an update of 4 stops of stabilization

Canon Press Release

CANON MAKES THE BEST EVEN BETTER, WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SECOND GENERATION EF 70-200MM f/2.8L IS II USM LENS

Canon’s New EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM 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.

The popular Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens is right now eligible for $150 Canon instant rebate and Amazon sells it for $1699.

Mark II promises to be even better but considering its competitor Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S NIKKOR Lens selling for $2400, the Canon will be in the 2 grand range and the current version’s price starts to look very attractive for those in the market for one.

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