Newest lenses from Canon

Canon EF 70 - 300 mm DO IS USM Digital Photography Review

Canon announces two new zoom lenses

Canon CPS CPS News

Canon announces two new zoom lenses

http--cweb.canon.jp-newsrelease-2004-01-pr_ef28300.html

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0401/04012901canon28300is.asp

Canon EF 28 - 300mm f3.5-5.6L IS Test

• Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 17-40mm 1:4
• Lens Construction: 12 elements in 9 groups
• Diagonal Angle of View: 74-29 degrees
• Focus Adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
• Closest Focusing Distance: 0.28m / 0.9 ft.
• Zoom System: Rotating Type
• Filter Size: 77mm
• Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.3" x 3.8", 1.1 lbs. / 83.5mm x 96.8mm, 500g

http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/lineup/ultrawide/index.html

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6051-6060-6062

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0302/03022709canonef1740.asp

EF 400mm f4 DO IS USM

Available in November 2001 will be the innovative EF 400mm f4 DO IS USM lens. This uses a multi-layer diffractive optical (DO) element to correct chromatic aberrations.

Diffractive optical elements use a diffraction grating to alter the path of light rays. Diffraction is encounter in ordinary lenses at small apertures. Light rays passing through the aperture a bent very slightly. This affects the focusing and reduces the resolution of the lens. It is the reason most lenses give their best performance at apertures a couple of stops below the maximum, rather than at the minimum aperture.

However, a diffraction grating can be used to introduce corrections, rather than create aberrations. They have been used for some time in spectroscopes and the optical signal reading systems of CD and DVD players.

Until now, diffractive elements have not been used in camera lenses because there is a tendency for white light to produce superfluous diffracted light as it passes through the grating. This results in flare, which degrades the image quality.

Canon has resolved this problem by creating a multi-layer construction made from two single-layer diffractive optical elements with opposing concentric circular diffraction gratings.

The most significant characteristic of the diffractive optical element is that the positions where the wavelengths combine to form an image (the focal plane) are the reverse of those of a refractive optical element. By combining a multi-layer diffractive optical element with a refractive element, it is possible to correct chromatic aberrations more effectively than before.

Also, by adjusting the pitch (spacing) of the diffraction grating, the diffractive optical element can take on similar characteristics to a ground and polished aspherical surface, which effectively corrects for spherical and other aberrations.

One of the major advantages of the new 400mm DO lens is that it is about 26% shorter and 36% lighter than an equivalent non-DO 400mm f4 lens. Lenses can be made smaller and lighter by reducing the distance between the elements, and increasing the refractive properties of the front and rear lens groups. However, with conventional lens elements, this increases chromatic aberrations. Using the DO element, these aberrations can be reduced.

The lens also incorporates Canon's image stabilization (IS) system to help reduce the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds. There is a benefit of around two stops so, for example, you can shoot at 1/30 second with IS with similar results to shooting at 1/125 second without IS.

In the UK the EF 400mm f4 DO IS USM lens has a suggested price of £5899.99. It should be available early November 2001.

Specification

Focal length: 400mm

Aperture range: f4 to f32

Aperture blades: 8

Construction: 17 elements in 13 groups (including multi-layer diffractive optical element)

Filter mount: 52mm drop-in

Minimum focus: 3.5 metres

AF drive: ring USM

Manual focusing: enabled with focus mode switch and focusing ring

Extenders: compatible

Extension tubes: compatible with EF12/EF25

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/400-do.htm

EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM

The image sensor in the EOS 1D and EOS D30 is smaller than a 35mm film frame. This means that the angle-of-view of an attached lens is narrower for the digital cameras than for film models. The result is that a lens attached to digital cameras appears to have a longer focal length than the same lens attached to a film camera.

Most of the time, this is not too much of a problem. You can use a shorter focal length lens on the digital camera to overcome the effect. Unless, of course, you are already using an ultra-wide-angle lens.

It is with this in mind that Canon has introduced the EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM lens as a replacement for the EF 17-35mm lens. The range may only have increased by 1mm, but at the wide-angle end this is much more significant than a 1mm increase at, say, 300mm.

However, this is not just a lens for EOS digital cameras. It offers benefits for all EOS models:

• the first EF lens with three types of aspherical elements ­ ground, replicated and glass-molded ­ giving higher image quality than the EF 17-35mm lens;
  

• two UD elements to provide effective correction for the chromatic aberrations which are a particular problem with wide-angle lenses;
  

• increased resistance to dust particles and water droplets, complementing the water and dust resistance of the EOS 1V;
  

• inner focusing and ring USM for silent, high-speed autofocus (AF) operation (significantly faster than wit the EF 17-35mm lens);
  

• circular diaphragm for better background blur ('bokeh')
  

• minimum focusing distance of 0.28mm at all focal lengths.

The lens is compatible with Extension Tubes, but not with Extenders. Close-up lenses 500 or 500D can be used (the filter thread is 77mm). There is also a rear drop-in filter slot.

Size and weight are 83.5 x 102.7mm and 600g (7mm longer and 55g heavier than the EF 17-35mm lens).

The 16-35mm f2.8L USM lens comes complete with EW-83E lens hood, LP1319 soft pouch and lens cap E-77U. In the UK it will cost £1549.99 and should be available early November 2001.

Specification

Focal length: 16-35mm

Aperture range: f2.8 to f22

Aperture blades: 7

Construction: 14 elements in 10 groups (including three aspherical elements); inner focusing

Filter mount: 77mm

Minimum focus: 0.28 metres

AF drive: ring USM

Manual focusing: enabled with focus mode switch and focusing ring

Extenders: not compatible

Extension tubes: compatible with EF12/EF25

Close-up lenses: CU500/500D

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/16-35.htm

http://www.fredmiranda.com/17_35VS16_35/index.html

USM review

EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM

The optical system of the new lens is based on the current EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM and retains the same outstanding level of image quality, while adding a new high-performance Image Stabilizer function. In addition, the new lens also incorporates an improved high-performance vibration gyro sensor for maintaining the lens' compact design, moisture- and dust-resistant construction in critical areas for greater performance in adverse shooting conditions, and several other significant improvements compared to the original EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, which will remain in Canon's EF lens line-up.

"Canon is committed to finding new ways to provide its customers with the very latest in imaging technology," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager of Canon's Photographic Products Group. "Combining Image Stabilizing technology with extremely fast and high-quality optics gives photographers the necessary tools to excel in their craft."

The new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is a professional telephoto zoom lens with high contrast and high resolving power. It is constructed using the finest optics including four UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) glass elements designed to correct chromatic aberrations, resulting in extremely sharp images with excellent color rendition. Powered by Canon's exclusive Ultrasonic (USM) motor for autofocusing, the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM is silent in operation and very quick to focus, even in low-light conditions. The new lens also offers full-time manual focus, making it ideal for many photographic applications including sports, photojournalism, portraits, and landscapes.

Designed to maintain a consistent aperture ratio of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens provides photographers with tremendous shooting flexibility. This feature makes it the optimum choice for location and sports photographers who need an assortment of fast lenses but can not afford to weigh themselves down with excessive gear.

The lens employs a newly designed Image Stabilizer mechanism that uses an improved method of holding the barrel of the supplementary optical system, providing smoother movement than in previous IS systems. This results in image stabilization up to approximately 3 stops compared to the 2-stop stabilization effect of previous Canon IS lenses. Additionally, the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM's Image Stabilizer function can be used to eliminate the image-blurring effects of mirror bounce even when the lens is used on a tripod or monopod.

Other improvements include a reduced minimum focusing distance of 1.4m/4.6 ft., a newly developed aperture diaphragm that remains virtually circular from f/2.8 to f/5.6 for enhanced image quality, and a revised AF drive circuit and autofocusing algorithm for superior AF speed when used with current high-end EOS SLRs.

Additionally, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM features weather-resistant construction in the mount area, switch panel, zoom ring and focusing ring to prevent water and dust from reaching the inside of the lens. This design philosophy matches the performance of the EOS-1V professional camera and makes the new lens usable in a wider range of adverse shooting conditions.

When using EF Extenders, autofocus is available throughout the entire zoom range of the lens and the Image Stabilizing feature remains functional. The new EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens will be supplied with a pro-quality lens pouch and dedicated lens hood. It will be available at authorized Canon dealers in September and have a suggested list price of $3,000.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/70-200is.htm

USM review

http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/70-200is.shtml

Technical Specifications

EF 70-200mm f4L USM lens

• Compact, lightweight, high-performance L-series telephoto zoom lens
• Fluorite and Super UD elements provide high image quality at all focal lengths
• Minimum focusing distance of 1.2 metres at all focal lenghs
• Inner focusing and ring USM for silent and high-speed autofocusing
• Non-ratating front lens allows easy use of polarising filters
• Manual focusing adjustment possible in autofocusing modeExtenders EF 1.4x and Ef 2x can be used to increase effective focal length
• Wide focusing ring for easier maual focusing; rotating zoom ring

The EF 70-200mm f4L USM lens is a compact, lightweight, high-performance L-series telephoto zoom. It offers a similar optical performance to the EF 70-200mm f2.8L USM, but at a lower cost, making the lens suitable for both professional and enthusiast photographers.

The lens contains fluorite and Super UD elements to provide high quality performance at all focal lengths.

Extenders EF 1.4x and EF 2x can be used with the lens. Autofocusing is retained with the Extender EF 1.4x. Manual focusing is needed when the Extender EF 2x is used (except with the EOS 3, where autofocusing is possible using the centre focusing point).

The EF 70-200mm f4L USM lens has a suggested retail price of £699.99 in the UK. Availability is from September 1999. 

Specification

Focal length: 70 to 200mm
Construction: 16 elements in 13 groups (includes one Fluorite element and two UD glass elements)
Angle-of-view: 34° to 12° (diagonal)
Focusing: autofocus with Ring USM; helical lens draw with inner focusing and focus cam; manual focusing possible in Manual and AF modes
Focusing range: 1.2 metres to infinity
Distance range limiting switch:
1) 1.2 metres to infinity
2) 3 metres to infinity
Maximum magnification: 0.08x (wide), 0.21 (tele) at 1.2 metres
Lens mount: EF; signal transmissions: lens mode, lens type, metering information, focal length, AF drive information
Aperture range: f4 to f32
Aperture control: Pulse with EMD
Aperture blades: 8
Depth-of-field scale: none
Infrared mark: provided (at 70mm and 100mm)
Filter mount: 67mm (2 filters can be attached)
Size: ø76mm x 172mm
Weight: 710g (lens only)

Accessories

Hood: ET-74 (dedicated 2-lug cylindrical bayonet hood attachable in reverse)
Lens cap: E-67U
Lens case: LP1224 (accommodates lens with one filter, hood attached in reverse, and both lens caps)
Dust cap: Lens Dust Cap E
Tripod collar: same type as for EF 300mm f4L USM lens (optional) 

Compatibility

Compatible with:

• Extenders
• Extension Tubes

Not compatible with

• Canon close-up lenses (no suitable size available)

USM review

EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM   

• Standard zoom lens with Image Stabilizer

• Approx. 5x zoom ratio

• GMo aspherical lens

• Ring USM for silent AF

• Manual focusing possible in the AF mode

• Inner focusing

• Wide, rubber zoom ring for easy rotation

• Dedicated petal-type EW-78B hood

USM review

Technical Specifications

EF 28-70mm L 2.8 USM