Canon announced a new 24-70mm professional zoom lens tonight. The new Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM zoom is a smaller, lighter and more affordable alternative to the recently introduced 24-70mm f/2.8L II. And unlike the new f/2.8 zoom, the 24-70mm f/4L IS has image stabilization, allowing the photographer to use shutter speeds as much as four stops slower than normal without blur from camera shake. It also has a new macro mode at the telephoto end of the zoom, which allows 0.7x magnification at a minimum focusing distance of 7.87 inches (0.2m).
At 3.3 x 3.7 inches and 21 ounces (83.4 x 93mm / 600g), the new Canon 24-70mm f/4L IS is about three-quarters of an inch shorter (20mm), two-tenths of an inch thinner (5.1mm) and half a pound lighter (205g) than the 24-70mm f/2.8 II zoom. Canon suggests the new 24-70mm f/4L IS would be a good, affordable standard zoom lens for the new EOS 6D full-frame digital SLR (Canon EOS 6D intro).
Since the new 24-70mm zoom was announced, last night, there’s been a lot of discussion on the Web about where it fits into Canon’s lens lineup, since they already have the 24-70mm f/2.8L II and the 24-70mm f/4L IS. Most photographers think those lenses already cover the standard professional zoom lens bases just fine. Personally, I like that the 24-70mm f/4L IS is smaller and lighter, which will make it a good backpack and travel lens. However, I quite like the 24-105mm f/4L IS zoom and would probably buy it over the 24-70mm f/4L IS for the extra reach, even if it is a big longer and heavier. We’ll have to wait for field reports to know for sure, but since the 24-70mm zoom is shorter, the optics should be better. It also has Canon’s latest Hybrid IS image stabilization, which compensates for angular as well as shift movements and adds one more stop of compensation compared to the 24-105mm lens. The improved image stabilization will also be better for people who want to use the lens for video and that’s probably the best justification for the new lens.
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens should be available in December (2012). The suggested retail price is $1499 – that’s $800 less than the 24-70mm f/2.8L.
Canon 24-70mm f/4L IS Zoom Lens Press Release >>
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