Along side the announcement of the much anticipated 7d Mark II, Canon also highlights three new lenses to their lineup - the 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM, the 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, and the 24mm f/2.8 STM Pancake lens. With many of them sporting the STM autofocus, it's obvious that Canon is looking to compliment those with video in mind.
However, none of these lenses are showing off the covenant red ring found on the L series lenses (however the very small DO lineup does support a green ring, something still marked as professional in terms of quality), which makes us wonder who Canon is tailoring these new announcements to. That said, these announcements are expected to make many video producers excited, and a pleasant nod for those who are looking for the long reach of a 400mm lens.
EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM Lens
The impressive new super telephone lens, the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM enters as a replacement to the beloved mark one lens under the same name. With multi-layer diffractive optical technology (the DO in the name), you can expect it to minimize aberrations while keeping the lens form factor as small as possible. The newest version of this lens allows for gapless optical design, reduced flare and improved image quality all around. Perhaps the most impressive feature is the new IS system built in, allowing for four stops of shake compensation, and three different modes of IS.
| EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM Lens | EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM Lens | |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Focal Length (35mm Equivalent) | 400mm (APS-C: 640mm) | 400mm (APS-C: 640mm) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Minimum Aperture | Not specified by manufacturer | f/32 |
| Angle of View | 6°10' | 6°10' |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 10.8' / 3.3 m | 11.5' / 3.5 m |
| Magnification | Not specified by manufacturer | 0.12x |
| Autofocus Motor | USM (Ultrasonic motor) | USM (Ultrasonic motor) |
| Image Stabilization | Yes, 4 stops | Yes, 2 stops |
| Weather Resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Lens Construction | 18 elements / 12 groups | 17 elements / 13 groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9, rounded | 8 |
| Filter | 52mm, drop-in | 52mm, drop-in |
| Dimensions (D x L) | 5.0 x 9.2" / 128 x 232.7 mm | 5.0 x 9.2" / 128 x 232.7 mm |
| Weight | 4.6 lb / 2.1 kg | 4.3 lb / 1.9 kg |
The Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM is available for preorder for $6,899.
EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Along side the 400mm lens announced above, is the 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 with a built in STM system for smooth and quiet auto focusing. with video in mind, this lens allows for 4 stops of image stabilization, as well as support for Movie Servo continuous AF mode, using the STM design and features. However, the lens is expected to produce equally sharp images for the still photographer, with a seven-group design, allowing for a compact design, with minimal flaring and ghosting.
| EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens | EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens | |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Focal Length (35mm Equivalent) | 24-105mm (APS-C: 38.4-168mm) | 24-105mm (APS-C: 38.4-168mm) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | f/4 |
| Minimum Aperture | Not specified by manufacturer | f/22 |
| Angle of View | 84° to 23° 20' | 84° to 23° 20' |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 1.3' / 40 cm | 1.5' / 45 cm |
| Magnification | Not specified by manufacturer | 0.23x |
| Autofocus Motor | STM (Stepping motor) | USM (Ultrasonic motor) |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Weather Resistance | N/A | Yes |
| Lens Construction | 17 elements / 13 groups | 18 elements / 13 groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7, rounded | 8 |
| Filter Thread | 77mm | 77mm |
| Dimensions (D x L) | 3.3 x 4.1" / 83.4 x 104 mm | 3.3 x 4.2" / 83.5 x 107 mm |
| Weight | 18.5 oz / 525 g | 23.6 oz / 670g |
The Canon EF 24-105,, f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is available for preorder for $599.
EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens
Finally, Canon has also announced the 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens. In it's very small form factor, the 24mm Pancake supports the STM motor, allowing for quick and silent focusing in video modes. However, being an EF-S lens, this little guy will only support crop body sensors, making it closer to a 38mm equivalent. Its small form factor and lightweight design allows for this lens to be carried around easily, while being discrete.
| EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens | |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF-S |
| Focal Length (35mm Equivalent) | 24mm (APS-C: 38mm) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Angle of View | 59°10' |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 6.3" / 16 cm |
| Magnification | 0.27x |
| Autofocus Motor | STM (Stepping motor) |
| Image Stabilization | N/A |
| Weather Resistance | N/A |
| Lens Construction | 6 elements / 5 groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7, rounded |
| Filter Thread | 52mm |
| Dimensions (D x L) | 2.7 x 0.9" / 68.2 x 22.8 mm |
| Weight | 4.4 oz / 125 g |
The EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is available for pre-order for $149.
So what are your thoughts on Canons recent additions announced today at Photokina?
The new pancake was cool... until I saw it was an EF-S mount. Really, Canon?
Like the new Pancake lens, but as Paul said, why an EF-S?
the 24mm pancake seems perfect for anyone with a 70D... should also be great for light weight, wide angle, steady cam use.
The pancake lens looked interesting, but it won't fit on my full frame Canon. But Canon has a 40mm lens for a full frame that looks pancake enough. Multiplying the 24mm by the crop factor of 1.6 gives 38mm which is close enough to the 40mm.
I would totally grab myself the pancake but looking to sell off the 60D and grab the 6D inside the year. Been looking for a solid wide angle prime like that too!