Canon Announces EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM & Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM & Sl1
Two new lenses announced from Canon and a white version of their existing Sl1.
EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
A affordable cheap wide angle lens that includes IS (image stabilization) and STM (Canon's smooth and silent autofocus for video) make this an interesting announcement. I have already pre-ordered mine, at $299 it is cheaper than many of the prime lenses I own and although I am not a huge fan of wide angle lenses (watch "How Focal Length Affects Perspective") They can be useful to have, add in IS and STM and you have a great addition to your kit that adds very little weight and gives you VERY wide and will do well in low light. Downsides - it is a plastic kit lens and widest maximum aperture is f/4.5. It isn't as necessary to have wide apertures on wide angle lenses, you can shoot at slow shutter speeds without violating the focal length shutter speed rule (watch "Image Stabilization" and "Shutter Speed" for more info) but it does give you more freedom when shooting. I like Colin's thinking - three lightweight lenses giving you excellent range and flexibility in shooting
Pre-order Canon EF-S 10-18 f/4.5-5.6 IS STM $299: Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama
The Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Similar to the release of the f/4 IS version of the 24-70, we now have a f/4 IS version of the 16-35 f/2.8 lens. Taking a look at the MTF charts and on paper this looks to be a sharp lens and a more affordable wide angle option for full frame photographers. The f/4 version will sell for $1199 and the f/2.8 non IS version sells for $1699.A bit more about the Intelligent IS in this lens
an Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) for shake correction up to four shutter speed steps, making handheld shooting possible in dimly lit scenes where camera shake can occur. In addition, an intelligent CPU in the lens automatically selects the optimal IS mode by recognizing differences between normal handheld shots and panning. This technological advancement supports a greater range of creative expression for photographers in otherwise difficult shooting situations, such as dark indoor scenes where flash photography is prohibited, or in places where a tripod cannot be used, or when shooting at low ISO speeds.
I don't feel the 24-70 f/4 IS is selling very well but as I mentioned above the wider apertures are less necessary in wider lenses and I know many photographers and videographers that would be fine shooting at f/4, especially for video and having excellent image stabilization all at a significant savings may entice a few more over. Pre-order the Canon EF 16-35 f/4L IS $1199: Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama
Canon Sl1 (White)
Yawn - I have a review of the Sl1 here - it isn't a bad camera but releasing a white one doesn't interest me - thought it might be fun to mix and match and run around with the white kit lens on a black Sl1. . or not.