[Steve]

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the development of two all-new telephoto lenses for use with its EOS SLR cameras: the EF200mm f/2L IS USM*/** and the EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM*/**. The Company will exhibit prototypes of the new lenses at PhotoPlus Expo (booth #318), taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, October 18 to 20.

The new Canon EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM, both of which are L (luxury)-series lenses incorporating a high-performance Image Stabilizer, feature optical systems utilizing special optical materials such as fluorite to correct chromatic aberrations, making possible high-resolution, high-contrast shooting performance.

The Canon EF200mm f/2L IS USM, targeting users who seek a brighter lens for portraiture and indoor sports photography, realizes a large aperture of f/2. The EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM, expected to deliver telephoto performance surpassing the current top-of-the-line EF600mm f/4L IS USM super telephoto lens, is being developed in response to requests from users working in the fields of sports and news photography who are looking for a high-performance lens that offers a longer focal length.

"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.A. "Canon's EOS System is the premier brand of Digital SLR cameras, and we take great pride in offering the world's largest selection of interchangeable autofocus lenses." ***

As these new lenses are currently under development, pricing and availability information is not yet available. However you can view large, hi res images of them...

Canon EF800mm F/5.6L USM

Canon EF200mm F2/L IS USM

One thing is certain, don't expect them to be cheap

[silkstone]

Interesting that if the 800 f/5.6 follows the normal rules it won't support AF with a 1.4x TC. The 600 f/4 will (I think!) to give 840mm f/5.6.

Decisions, decisions.....

[silkstone]

Ah, cheers for the clarification Steve.

So that's a 1Ds MkIII to add to Santa's list.

EDIT/ And now I can tell what Steve is going to say before he says it.

Or maybe the timezones have got into a knot....

[Steve]

The AF only stops on no pro bodies at 5.6, as it likely that anyone that can afford the 800mm will be using it on a pro body then they could still use a 1.4x converter and retain AF as they could shoot at F8

[VinnyP]

I guess it's all about image quality wide open. I haven't shot the Canon but certainly with the Nikon the 600 F4 is very good wide open add a Tcon even a 1.4 and it really really benefits from stopping down a stop if possible (and that's not the first thing you'll want to be doing at that focal length). Having said that 800 5.6s have been around for a long time and are not supposed to be as difficult to manufacture as a 600 F4 but thats before the days of IS.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by VinnyP

I guess it's all about image quality wide open.

According to early talk from Canon the EF800 f/5.6's IQ surpasses that of the EF600 f/4, itself no slouch wide open with a t-con... should be interesting to see if it's true when people start getting their hands on them.