This beast is now officially more mythical than the octopus in The Goonies!
I hear that it may come with a free unicorn to help transport and support it.
Anyway, perhaps by mid-2014.... but nothing is set in stone JUST yet.
I think Canon is simply balancing peoples frustrations. They have made landscapers wait for that mythical high MP, low ISO DR sensor so why not make sports/wildlife people wait as well.
The sad thing is he has confirmed the weight to be in the 4kg range. So unless the prototype has some extra lead added to it, this thing will be on the heavy side especially for this focal length and aperture range. I guess the main customer will be the sports photogs who will use a monopod anyways but it would have been nice to have this lens come in at 500II type weight and not 600II. (I'm not sure where Joshua Holko got the idea that it was close to the 300 2.8 in weight as posted on his facebook page??)
It should also be noted that Canon is yet to officially announce this lens to be going into production. The only announcement was in February 2011 as a Developmental project.
The sad thing is he has confirmed the weight to be in the 4kg range. I'm not sure where Joshua Holko got the idea that it was close to the 300 2.8 in weight as posted on his facebook page??
Until Canon officially announce the lens, I'm taking anything I read/see/hear about it with the following:
Rumors are exactly that. I was honest;y convinced the 7D II was going to be released in March because a reliable camera review website had it being released in March, but that didn't turn out. So until it is officially announced, I don't believe it.
Canon be doling out little slices of it's digital bits, teasing/testing the market with lower end gear, sales are sorely down and the only thing giving them profits is the recent exchange rate change with the Yen.
Lots of rumors these last 9/12 months and nothing really big 'Semi-Pro/Pro' high-end has been released for us 'big gals n guys'. I've thought perhaps a huge 'summer' announcement to spark sales but IDK if such a happening will take place in September; even by end of year.
Other then the 6D's 'success' so far 2013 looks pretty much desert like for new goodies...
Canon probably has a too-large stockpile of super-tele prime lens inventory they're trying to clear out before releasing the 200-400, since it will undermine prime lens sales considerably and result in a glut of used primes on the market...
The 200-400 is rumored to be priced as much as a 500/4 IS II and weighs as much as a 400/2.8 IS II and 600/4 IS II.
The only plus for this lens is that you have the flexibility of a zoom and 1.4x TC on the fly by a flip of a switch. Having a range of 200-560mm at f/4-5.6 is nice when you are in a very well lit environment.
I think the delay has to do with Canon's ability to manufacture Series II super telephotos. They have too much demand for them that including the 200-400 into the mix would hamper sales for more saleable lens.
Another take would be the proposed pricing and weight of the thing would not make it saleable even if it is a more modern lens with built-in TC than a 200-400/4 VR II that is cheaper and lighter weight.
I have a hunch that the replacement for the 35L, 135L, 180L Macro or 400/5.6L will ship before this actually ships.
rscheffler wrote:
Canon probably has a too-large stockpile of super-tele prime lens inventory they're trying to clear out before releasing the 200-400, since it will undermine prime lens sales considerably and result in a glut of used primes on the market...
I don't think this will dry up super-tele prime sales very much. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. In fact, if anything, maybe they are waiting for the super-tele primes inventory to go down BUT only because they want them scarce so they don't take away too many sales from the 200-400 . More seriously I see a place for both but I think the super-tele will remain strong (well given the $$$$$ and size, nothing that $$$$ and size ever sells like Rebels or anything) and only dip a little because of the 200-400. I think there will be some who will prefer the 200-400 option, but plenty who prefer the prime +TCs+ 70-200 option (you can get a second body+70-200 2.8 IS II for less than the 200-400 may cost, and it makes you either more or less flexible depending, some of the really serious big time sports shooters will probably have a stocked kit with big prime or two and 70-200 and 200-400).
StillFingerz wrote:
Canon be doling out little slices of it's digital bits, teasing/testing the market with lower end gear, sales are sorely down and the only thing giving them profits is the recent exchange rate change with the Yen.
Lots of rumors these last 9/12 months and nothing really big 'Semi-Pro/Pro' high-end has been released for us 'big gals n guys'. I've thought perhaps a huge 'summer' announcement to spark sales but IDK if such a happening will take place in September; even by end of year.
Other then the 6D's 'success' so far 2013 looks pretty much desert like for new goodies...
5D3/1DX were just last year and they did put out the long mythical 24-70 II at last.
I think at this point they are scrambling to try to match or get close to exmor sensors and that takes time. I got the impression they were acting wayy too casually about things a number of years back and well it takes a while to catch up again. A big jump in sensor tech like that doesn't happen at the snap of fingers. (unless marketing is THAT bad and has simply had them sitting on new sensor tech)
My previous post was partially in jest. But it seems that on this board, there's a split in the perceived usefulness/value of the 200-400 vs. primes. Since I can really only speak for myself, I'll reiterate that the 200-400 will likely replace three primes (300/400/600) and that the flexibility of a single lens, even if only slightly heavier than 'it should be' will very much outweigh the inconvenience of working with separate primes. But this also hinges on how much it costs and what I can get for the primes in trade...
rscheffler wrote:
My previous post was partially in jest. But it seems that on this board, there's a split in the perceived usefulness/value of the 200-400 vs. primes. Since I can really only speak for myself, I'll reiterate that the 200-400 will likely replace three primes (300/400/600) and that the flexibility of a single lens, even if only slightly heavier than 'it should be' will very much outweigh the inconvenience of working with separate primes. But this also hinges on how much it costs and what I can get for the primes in trade...
The only problem is the 200-400 is a stop slower than the equivalent (300/400/600) at all focal lengths. I know high ISO is much better now, but that's not the only consideration for some people. I'd still love to have a 200-400L for the versatility and I don't think there will be a noticeable trade off on IQ. IIRC Joshua Holko says it's as good as the original 500 mm f/4 IS and that's good enough for me!. Even if the 200-400 does "steal" sales from the primes Canon are still getting the money, not a competitor so I just wish Canon would give us some solid info so we can make informed choices. If the lens only ships next year I'll likely have already made my purchase by then, whatever it is and I'm sure there are quite a few in the same position.
It does seem like Juza was told, or he uderstood from his Canon contacts, that the lens might see the daylight in mid 2014.
Juza also confirms a few earlier reports which had suggested that the prototype lens mass was about 4 kg. I think he probably did weigh it, just that Canon wouldn't have let him state that.
It is possible that Canon will be using this time to trim the production lens weight somewhat, although it is not likely that they'd be able to undertake much weight reduction at this stage unless they go back to square one with its design.
All in all, there is nothing for me to see here. I say, Canon, bring on 400 DO II (only if having excellent IQ) and 800L II......for that I am keen and willing to listen.
For those who are interested, Canon Rumors is reporting that the official announcement is coming tonight. MTF charts are also posted- that's the first time I can recall seeing those for this lens.
Archive 2013 · Canon 200-400+TC probable release!!!!.... perhaps by mid-2014 :D
