Canon announces EF 100-400 f3.5-5.6 L IS II USM lens

Canon announces Canon EF 100-400 f3.5-5.6 L IS II USM lens
Canon has finally announced a version II of the highly popular EF 100-400 mm lens. The following are the salient features of this lens:

· One fluorite and one super UD lens element provides excellent correction of chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range, helping to deliver high-quality images with high resolution and contrast.

· Rotation-type zoom ring allows for more precise composition and excellent balance when handholding. The previous version had a push-pull mechanism which when hanged down can have a focus creep if
not locked.

· Inner focusing, ring USM, a high-speed CPU and optimized AF algorithms for fast and accurate autofocusing.

· Optical Image Stabilizer provides up to four shutter speed steps of correction*.

· Three image stabilization modes (standard, panning, and during exposure only) provide outstanding results for a wide range of shooting situations.

· Improved zoom torque adjustment ring allows easy setting of zoom tension.

· New Air Sphere Coating (ASC) helps to significantly reduce backlit flaring and ghosting.

· Highly resistant to dust and water, and amazing durability enabling shooting even in harsh conditions.

· Circular aperture (9 blades) helps deliver beautiful, soft backgrounds. The previous version had 8 blades. So the bokeh is expected to be more circular and beautiful.

· Fluorine coating on front and rear lens surfaces helps reduce smears and fingerprints.

· Lens hood with side window permits specialty filters to be adjusted with hood in place. Canon has introduced this for the first time in its lens line up to help in adjusting filters. http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/...et83d_side.jpg

· Newly designed tripod mount can be attached or detached without removing the lens from the camera.

· Minimum focusing distance of 3.2 ft. / 0.98 m with 0.31x maximum magnification. The previous version can focus to 5.9 feet/ 1.8 m. So during Safari if the tiger comes close still you can focus and it will also help in macro situations.

· Size: The version II is slightly bulkier ie. it is 3.7x7.6 inch instead of 3.6x7.4 inch

· Weight: The weight has increased by 200 g to 1.6kg.
Price: $2199 USD

Canon Press Release
Canon U.S.A. Introduces New Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens, The Compact And Highly Mobile Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

New Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens Delivers an Enhanced IS System Providing Four Shutter Speed Steps of Correction, a Rotation-Type Zoom Ring, and New Optical Element Formula to Help Maximize Image Quality

MELVILLE, N.Y., November 10, 2014 - Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the highly anticipated Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM lens, a second generation compact super-telephoto zoom lens featuring significant advancements in optical quality, image stabilization performance up-to-four steps, and rotating-zoom-ring design. This new L-series super- telephoto zoom lens features Canon L-series weather resistance and rugged magnesium housing to meet the needs of wildlife and sports photographers or photojournalists working out in the elements. Fully compatible with all EOS cameras, the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM features a completely redesigned optical formula containing one Fluorite and one Super UD lens element - a combination unique to lenses in this focal range - to help deliver sharp images with high resolution and contrast. This combination of elements helps thoroughly suppress chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range.

"The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM is the logical evolution of the very popular EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM introduced 16 years ago," said Yuichi Ishizuka, President and COO of Canon U.S.A., Inc., "This long awaited, next generation lens was developed to be a highly portable and adaptable telephoto zoom lens for today's modern professional and advanced amateur photographers."

For photographers who want to work as closely as possible to their subjects, the minimum focusing distance of the lens has been reduced to just 3.2 ft. (0.98m), resulting in maximum magnification of 0.31x. The original EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM was well known for its push-pull zoom adjustment, but the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM uses a rotation-type zoom ring similar to the one found on the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens that allows for more precise adjustments, easier handling, and consistently excellent weight balance during handheld photography. In addition, the lens features an improved zoom torque adjustment ring that allows for the easy setting of zoom tension based on personal shooting preferences. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM also features an inner focusing system, a powerful yet quiet Ring USM, a high-speed CPU and optimized auto focus (AF) algorithms for fast and accurate autofocusing in various shooting situations.

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM features three Image Stabilization (IS) modes - standard, panning, and during exposure only. Each IS mode is individually engineered to help provide outstanding results in a wide variety of shooting situations, and all serve to satisfy the personal preferences of photographers based on the type of IS they desire. The optical IS provides up to four shutter speed steps of correction, increased from 1.5 steps in the previous model*. In addition, the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM features Canon's newly developed Air Sphere Coating (ASC) which helps to reduce backlit flaring and ghosting significantly, as well as a 9-bladed circular aperture Electro-Magnetic Diaphragm that helps to enhance beautiful, softly blurred backgrounds.

As with all L-series lenses, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM is highly resistant to dust and water, with excellent durability in even harsh conditions, ideal for wildlife photographers even in rainforest environments, or sports photographers on the sideline grabbing action shots of the big game. Fluorine coating on the front and rear surfaces of the lens can repel dust particles and water droplets. It also makes smears and fingerprints easy to remove without the use of lens cleaning fluid. Included with the lens is the new ET-83D lens hood, that features a cleverly placed and convenient side window allowing the user to easily adjust specialty filters while the lens hood remains in place. In addition, the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM is equipped with a newly designed detachable tripod mount which can be removed to reduce weight during handheld operation.
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/...f100400_3q.jpg