Canon faithful, the wait appears to finally be over for the 24-70mm f/2.8 L II, which is expected in stock September 13. The original 24-70 L, arguably one of the best telezoom lenses for Canon, has been sold out for quite some time in expectation of this new lens.
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens features:
- Large aperture L-Series standard zoom lens that combines high image quality and enhanced durability.
- New optical design utilizes one Super UD lens element and two UD lens elements to minimize chromatic aberration in the outer area at wide-angle; as well as eliminates color blurring around the edges of the subject, for images with high resolution and contrast.
- Combines 2 types of aspherical lenses to reduce spherical aberration,and achieve high image quality across the entire screen area and throughout the full zoom range.
- Highly resistant to dust and water, enabling shooting even in harsh and rigorous conditions.
- Circular diaphragm (9 blades) delivers beautiful, soft backgrounds.
- Ring USM, high-speed CPU, and optimized AF algorithms for fast autofocusing.
- Optimized lens coatings ensure exceptional color balance while minimizing ghosting.
- Fluorine coating on front and rear lens surfaces reduces smears and fingerprints.
- Zoom lock lever locks the zoom position at the wide end for safe transporting.
You can pre order it now at B&H.
So are you going to pre order it? Do you think this release date will finally stick? Let us know in the comments below.
There's barely any real changes from my mk I to make me consider "upgrading"..new coatings don't mean all that much when I've never experienced any of the problems that they supposedly fix with mine.
I hear ya there James. Mine was a tank, but I like my stubby, fat, fast primes a lot more.
Definitely getting this lens. Right after my lobotomy.
Tamron still owns, lol
Would be a great time to buy the first version, why the heck upgrade when offering nothing new, I was expecting at least an IS version :(
This seems like a very odd upgrade, the mk.I performed like a prime lens at pretty much every aperture and at any focal length. It was the only lens I used consistently on my old 5Dmk2 and nothing this lens has to offer seems to improve it enough to warrant making it a "mk.II". Had they added image stabilization then that would be the improvement saught by Canon-shooters (both film and stills). But now this should only appeal to those who simply cannot get a hold of a used mk1 or just HAVE to buy new.
Right? I like the zoom lock switch, but it's definitely not worth the upgrade.
That's too expensive.
Canon's pricing seems to be higher every time a new product goes out... The new primes, the new bodies, the new zooms,etc. every single product comes out a lot more expensive than the previous version and even more expensive than Nikon's equivalent. Looking at the price difference between the D800 and 5D MKIII is a good example. I really hope Canon will soon drop their prices.
I must say that I'm even tempted switching brands and going all Nikon. I was looking at the new 5D, but the new Canon glasses are so much more expensive for the same or even worse quality as Nikon's :(
Id like to see how this compares to the well regarded Nikon equivalent - just out of interest ;)
Having come from Nikon to Canon when the 5D Mk III was released, I must say the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 is far superior to my Canon
24-70mm f/2.8.
Definitely hang on to the 24-70 Mk1 if you have it, it is still a very capable lens. I was at the camera market today in Shanghai and I was offered 1260 usd for my used 24-70. I was not interested but I probably could have gotten 1400usd for it, as it was a opening offer. Amazing that this 2 year old lens (for me) has kept its value so well.
I agree. If anything, this new extremely high pricing just may increase the value of a used, original 24-70......if that is possible.
I'm saving for the new 35mm and the new 135mm 1.8. I could shoot an entire wedding with those two lenses alone.
"
The original 24-70 L, arguably one of the best telezoom lenses for Canon"
Completely disagree, as a side business I calibrate lenses for people, I've calibrated 11 Canon 24-70L lenses, and not a single one of them is sharp at both 24mm and 70mm at f/2.8, you pretty much always have to pick whether you want it to be used wide or tele. If you shoot landscapes or in studio and are always shooting at f8 or above it isn't a problem, but for a wedding shooter like me it's a nightmare. After a year of using it and being confused about why the images from my $1700 lens were soft, I finally got mine on the calibration tool and found out precisely how bad it was. Sold it and replaced it with a 35L.
I personally think the first edition 24-70 is one of the worst L lenses Canon makes, period. About time for a bloody replacement. The Nikon 24-70 on the other hand is a thing of beauty, hopefully the new Canon will match that.
There's only to letters to justify a new 24-70mm: I-S!