Canon's RF lens lineup has been highly impressive so far, with a lot of innovative and quite impressive glass coming to the market. On the other hand, most of the new lenses have commanded premium prices. However, it looks like they will soon be adding a newer, more affordable wide angle zoom to their professional L lineup.
Nokishita is reporting that Canon recently added the RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM lens to their product list. Traditionally, professional wide angle zoom lenses have an f/2.8 aperture, but f/4 versions of these lenses have become quite popular in the last few years, as for those who do not need the extra light-gathering power (such as landscape photographers), the prospect of a lighter and more portable lens for about half the price is quite appealing. For example, Canon's EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM was both popular and well regarded for both its price and image quality. Adding 2mm on the wide end will certainly make the new lens all the more useful for a range of work. There is no word yet on a release date or a price, but I suspect it will be an in-demand lens once it hits the market.
I have own in the past the EF 17-35 L and the EF-S 10-22. My current wide zoom is an EF 16-35 4.0 L. One wish I have NEVER had with these 3 lenses is that they were wider. On the contrary all 3 would have been far more useful if they were a bit longer. A perfect wide angle zoom would be to me a 16-50, but would settle for a 16-40.
I know they can't make everything, but I'd love a variable aperture zoom. An f2.8-4 14-35, 24-70 and 70-200.
It is a little puzzling to assert that a “pro” lens has to be f 2.8.
A 14-35 is a lens that doesn’t really need f2.8 in applications appropriate for this lens.
The mantra of “pro means fast” is one that has gained currency by repetition of amateurs.
One stop gains some range for flash and bokeh but the improvements in sensor technology means a one stop bump in ISO is scarcely a make or break event.
Then the only difference is bokeh and quibbling about 2.8 or 4 is just silly.
Also, most f2.8 lens aren't stabilized while f4 usually are, so (at least for EF since now we have ibis) the casual photographers dont even realize they were getting less light lol