14 DAY TRIAL // With the PhotoPlus Expo (taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, October 18 to 20) opening in a few days, manufacturers are starting to announce press releases of what they are exhibiting there. One of the most interesting announcements is coming from Canon who are touting two new telephoto L (Luxury) lenses: the EF 200mm f/2 L IS USM and the EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM, both of them aimed at professional photographers.
The EF 200 f/2 L IS USM is the long awaited successor to the discontinued EF 200mm f/1.8L USM, a lens with spectacular results and in fact, the fastest 200mm out there. The new 200mm prototype offers the same features as the AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f2G IF-ED and those are 200 focal length, f/2 constant maximum aperture, stabilization systems, internal focusing and ultrasonic motors.
Just like with the EF 200m f/1.8 version, Canon recommends the lens for portraiture and indoor sports photography. However, an important difference between the two is the presence of the stabilization system, which allows for slower than recommended shutter times to be used.
The second on the list is an interesting 800mm lens, namely the EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM beast. Upon release, this will become the longest 35mm telephoto lens in production. It's worth noting that Canon also had a 1200mm f/5.6L lens, but the exotic lens is no longer manufactured and only 12 copies were available.
Now, Canon is delivering more telephoto performance with a shorter, albeit stabilized, 800mm lens. Although it's 400mm shorter than the 1200mm monster, the maximum aperture is still f/5.6, certainly not enough for indoor photography. Most likely, it will also be compatible with teleconverters, but the increase in focal length will be accompanied by an even slower maximum aperture.
"These new lenses demonstrate that Canon is continuing to respond actively and flexibly to the wide-ranging needs of professional and advanced amateur users, with the aim of contributing to the expansion of photographic possibilities for SLR cameras", said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.
Unfortunately, the two units are still prototypes and consequently, have not been approved by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and the United States Food and Drug Administration, which probably check if they contain any potentially hazardous materials. No word on availability or pricing yet.
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