Two New From Canon
Canon announced two new wide angle lenses this morning, both available to their full-frame SLR line, and both including image stabilization. With the introduction of the “entry level” Canon 6D (not to mention the Nikon D600 and Sony RX1), it appears that we may finally be at the beginning of a shift away from APS-C cameras toward standard 35mm frames, even for amateur photographers. If this is so, then we can expect to see quite a few more EF lenses while Canon ramps down their EF-S engineering over the next 5-10 years.
Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS USM
Although the lens features image stabilization and a fast USM motor, perhaps the most attractive feature of the new Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS USM in the current market is that it is weather and dust sealed. Optically, we can expect an excellent lens: among the 15 lens elements, two are UD glass, and the lens even offers close-focusing (down to 8 inches at 70mm) for macro1 It is unclear whether this will be true 1:1 macro, though Canon does describe it as being capable of “macro” I suspect that we’ll be closer to the 1:2 range, at best, which would still be great. work.
Unfortunately, the expected price tag of $1499 for Canon’s latest offering will put it in competition with Tamron’s critically acclaimed SP 24-70 f/2.8 Di VC USD, which costs a mere $1299 and also offers image stabilization and fast focusing, along with its available f/2.8 aperture. Though the Tamron does offer “moisture resistant” construction, I am much more willing to put my trust in Canon’s weather sealing… but the “L” pricing remains a deterrent. Canon’s own 24-70 f/2.8L II will be of less interest to new EOS 6D owners, as it lacks IS, but features a stunning price tag of $2299 (to go along with it’s equally stunning high resolution).
Canon EF 35mm f/2 USM
Canon’s non-L cohort, the EF 35mm f/2 IS, will be attractive whether you shoot full-frame or APS-C. On full frame, we can expect the lens to produce corner to corner sharpness with the added benefit of image stabilization for working in low light. In addition to using eight rounded aperture blades 2 Canon is claiming that the lens has a “circular” aperture. Whether that means that they have come up with an advancement in their engineering department or their marketing department remains unclear.] for smooth bokeh, the optics include a Glass Molded Aspherical Element for crisp images. On APS-C, we’ll get a field of view similar to a 50mm lens (about 56mm, actually) but while taking advantage of the sweet-spot effect (the center of the optics are sharpest and there’s usually no vignetting), along with a modestly fast f/2.0 aperture [2. This is a full stop faster than an f/2.8 .
As they have with most of their prime lenses recently, Canon took a cavalier, “price-is-no-object” attitude to their work, giving us a simple 35mm lens that will cost about $850. Their (slightly aged) non-IS model, for comparison, costs about $310.
