Canon News: Updated 24-70 f/2.8L launched

Hot on the heels of the Tamron news, Canon have at last released the much anticipated update to their 24-70 L lens, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM:

• Versatile 24-70mm zoom range.
• All-new optical design.
• Ultra-low dispersion (UD) and super UD elements.
• Fast f/2.8 max. aperture.
• 0.38m close focus
• Sealed against dust and moisture.
• Fast, quiet autofocus.
• Manual-focus override.
• Nine-bladed circular aperture

It does not have image stabilisation.

More details here.

Nikon News: new 200–400mm f/4G ED VR II lens

Nikon have launched new zoom lens - the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400 F/4G ED VR II:
Key features:

• Versatile super-telephoto zoom lens
  Powerful super-telephoto zoom lens that’s perfect for sports and wildlife shooting offering constant maximum aperture and VR II Image Stabilization.

• Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization
  Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture.

• Nano Crystal Coat
  Further reduces ghosting and interior flare across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image clarity.

• 4 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements
  Offers superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.

• Three Focus Modes
  A/M mode joins the familiar M/A and M modes, enhancing AF control versatility with fast, secure switching between auto and manual focus to accommodate personal shooting techniques.

• Internal Focus (IF)
  Provides fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens, retaining working distance throughout the focus range.

• Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM)
  Enables fast, accurate and quiet autofocus.

• Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC)
  Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.

• Rugged Construction
  Featuring enhanced dust and moisture-resistance, magnesium die-cast barrel construction and a protective meniscus front lens.

• Close Auto Focusing to 6.6 feet at all focal lengths
  Focus to 6.6 feet using AF or 6.4 feet using manual focus enabling striking image perspectives.

• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.

• Compatible with TC-14EII (AF/MF), TC-17EII (MF), TC-20EII (MF) and TC-20EIII (MF) Teleconverters.

More details available here.

What (and when) will Canon respond with...?

Canon News: EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM II announced

After much rumour and anticipation, it's great to see that Canon have launched a new version of their L-series workhorse - the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM II. Although the current version is considered an excellent, versatile lens, Canon have raised the bar further.
The revised features include:

• Faster autofocus algorithm
• Minimum focus distance reduced to 1.2m
  
• Four-stops of IS (image stabilisation)
  
• A flourite element and 5 UD elements to minimise CA
• Added strength (with only a 20g increase in weight)
• A slightly redeisgned bayonet mount for securing the supplied lens hood
• A wider focussing ring

I currently have the lowest-spec version of the 4 L-series 70-200 lenses (the F/4 non IS version), so I'd love to upgrade one day.

Apparently available in the US from April, in the UK, I'd expect it to retail initially at around £1700, but soon setlle around the £1500 mark. ***UPDATE: 5th Jan - Warehouse Express have it as a pre-order for £2799 !!! And so do Park Cameras***

Press release available here.

Nikon News: New lens and teleconverter

Nikon have updated their 300mm f/2.8 lens, known as AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II. Details are:

• Vibration Reduction (VR II) enables sharper pictures while shooting at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible
• Three focus modes are available — A/M mode is added to conventional M/A and M modes
  
• Nano Crystal Coat effectively suppresses ghosting and flare for clear images
  
• Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures smooth and quiet AF operation

Nikon have also introduced a new verion of their 2x teleconverter, the AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III, with an aspherical element. It will double the focal length of a compatible lens, but two stops of light will be lost.

Canon News: EOS 5D Mark II - new firmware and wireless conntroller

Canon have taken the unusual step of updating its users with news that they're going to be launching an update to the firmware for the 5D Mark II. It will enable the recording of high definition 1080p video at 24 and 25fps, meaning it's no longer been overtaken by the recently announced 7D. It should be released in the first half of 2010.

Alongside the Mark IV announcement and its wireless transmitter, Canon have also announced a new controller for the 5D Mark II - the WFT-E4 II. Info here.

New Canon Hybrid IS System

Canon and Nikon have long been the advocates on in-lens image stabilisation - and now Canon have upped the stakes by releasing details of their new hybrid IS. Detail are available here.

Rumours are now around which lens will first feature it - some think a new 70-200 f/2.8 IS II ...