Canon announces the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens to extend its well-known L-series professional lens line up. It is described as a high-performance telephoto zoom lens for both pro and amateur photographers.

The quality performance is ensured by the inclusion of two UD elements (ultra-low dispersion) and a floating lens group into the lens’s optical construction. They help avoid chromatic aberration while the Super Spectra coatings minimizes flare and ghost.

The lens benefits from Canon proprietary Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology that prevents from blurring when shooting at shutter speeds 4 stops slower than it would be otherwise possible and thus helps achieve sharp images in unfavorable lighting conditions.

A circular aperture comprised of 8 diaphragm blades delivers a pleasant effect of bokeh, which is a subject-background separation by blurring background areas.

Autofocus is driven by to a ring-type USM AF motor that shows quiet yet fast operation. It provides for precise focusing as well thanks to an independent lens CPU. The lens also provides for a full time manual focus override in AF mode.

The lens’s build quality is worth mentioning. The body is protected from environmental influence while its Fluorine Coating makes it easier to clean the lens.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM - Specifications:

• Focal Length: 70-300mm
• Diagonal Angle of View (FF): 34º - 8º 15′
• Maximum Aperture: F4-5.6
• Minimum Aperture: F32-45
• Lens Construction: 19 Elements in 14 Groups
• Rounded Aperture: 8 Diaphragm Blades
• Minimum Focus: 1.2m
• Maximum Magnification: 0.21x at 300mm
• Ring-type Ultrasonic AF Motor
• Four-Stop Image Stabilization
• Filter Thread: 67mm
• Supplied Accessories: Front and Rear Caps, ET-73B Hood, LP1424 Lens Case
• Optional WII Tripod Mount
• Weight: 1050 g
• Diameter x Length: 89 mm x 143 mm
• Lens Mount: Canon EF

Canon launches a new EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens designed for use with full-frame DSLR cameras like the EOS 5D Mark II or the EOS -1Ds Mark III. It delivers extremely wide 180º field of view on them.

When used with cameras featuring APS-C or APS-H sensors the lens shows more moderate field of view coupled with vignetting, but there’re ‘C’ and ‘H’ markings on the lens body, which allows locking zoom at a value that provides for vignette-free shooting for each sensor.

The lens is promised to deliver superb image quality thanks to its advanced optical construction. It combines 14 elements in 11 groups and features 1 aspherical and 1 Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element to minimize aberrations and ensure contrasty pictures with true-to-life colors. All lens elements are covered with the Super Spectra Coating to reduce ghost and flare. In addition, the front lens element features the SubWavelength Structure Coating on its inner surface to improve flare reduction.

The EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM incorporates a ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM) that focuses quickly and precisely as well as enables full-time manual focus so that you can change focus by moving the ring even when AF is active.

The lens is housed into a dust- and water-resistant body made from high-quality materials, which is typical of all new L-series models. Moreover, front and rear lens elements are coated with fluorine to protect them from water, dust and make it easier to clean the lens.

Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM - Specifications:

• Focal Length: 8-15mm
• Diagonal Angle of view (FF): 180º - 175º 30′
• Maximum Aperture: F4
• Minimum Aperture: F22
• Lens Construction: 14 elements/11 groups
• Number of diaphragm blades 7
• Minimum Focus: 0.15 m
• Maximum Magnification: 0.39x at 15mm
• Ring-type Ultrasonic AF Motor
• Filter Thread: 67mm
• Supplied Accessories: Front and Rear Caps, EW-77Hood, LP1219 Case
• Weight: 540 g
• Dimensions: Diameter 79 mm x Length 83 mm
• Lens Mount: Canon EF

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a fixed-focal wide aperture portrait lens that can be used with both 36 x 24mm (full frame) and ‘APS-C-sized’ sensors, delivering 50mm focal length with the former and the equivalent of 80mm with the latter.

Its optical design includes eight elements arranged in six groups with one aspherical element to minimize common aberrations and provide for sharp images. The glass has Super Spectra coatings to suppress flare and ghosting.

There’s no built-in stabilization in this lens; however, its wide maximum aperture allows for slow shutter speeds in tough lighting conditions with minimal risk of camera shake. The circular aperture features eight diaphragm blades, and when it is coupled with an impressive 1.2 f-number, the attractive bokeh is ensured.

The 50mm f/1.2L is equipped with a ring-type Ultrasonic motor (USM) for near-silent autofocusing. It features also a built-in high-speed CPU and improved AF algorithm, which provide speedy AF and prevent focus over-shooting.

You don’t have switch out of AF to MF when fine-tuning focusing, as full time electronic manual focus override is available. The lens also maintains a constant physical length during focusing without front element rotation, which allows for the use of angle-critical attachments.

The lens barrel is made from metal and high-grade polycarbonate and ships with front and end caps plus a cylindrical lens hood and a soft carrying case. Canon also advises photographers to use a protective filter to prevent dust and moisture from getting in.

Lens Reviews:

Photoreview.com.au:
This is a fast lens for available light photography and can handle exposure to dust, spray and light showers. It delivers distortion-free images, but be aware of its high price –there exist cheaper yet slower alternatives.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM – Specifications:

• Picture Angle: 46 Degrees Diagonal
• Maximum Aperture: F/1.2
• Minimum Aperture: F/16
• Lens Construction: 8 Elements in 6 Groups
• 1 Aspherical Element
• Diaphragm Blades: 8 (circular aperture)
• Focus Drive: Ring type USM
• Minimum Focus: 45 cm
• Maximum Magnification: 0.15x
• No Front Element Rotation
• Filter Size: 72 mm
• Dimensions (Diameter x L): 85.4 x 65.5 mm
• Lens mount: Canon EF
• Weight: 545 grams