Okay, Canon only introduces 10 – count em 10 new compact digital cameras this month. While not as silly as introducing 23,234 new cameras – it might as well be. They did introduce 10. That’s all I will say about the new compacts.
I will cover Canon’s introduction of two new wide-angle tilt-shift lenses: The New TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift Lenses.
These two new L series lenses expand Canon’s line-up of TS-E lenses. Both the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L are specialty lenses designed for landscape and architectural photography and are compatible with all Canon EOS system single lens reflex cameras. The TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II, a replacement for Canon’s TS-E 24mm f/3.5L introduced in 1991. Canon claims this new lens has significantly improved operability with low distortion when photographing buildings, consistent image quality throughout the image and reduced chromatic aberration when shooting at ultra-wide angles. Canon says the TS-E 17mm f/4L is the world’s shortest focal length Tilt-Shift lens with full-frame 35mm coverage.
“These two new lenses are Canon’s answer to photographers who have requested wider angle Tilt-Shift lenses, with the new TS-E 24mm for wide angles and the all new TS-E 17mm for ultra-wide angles. We continually seek to expand our optics portfolio to meet the demands of our photographers to ensure that they have the best tools available to capture some of the most stunning images on the planet,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
Canon is introducing a new feature on both the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L lenses. It is Canon’s new TS Revolving System. This feature allows tilting and shifting lens movements to be adjusted in parallel or at right angles to each other, with detents at 45˚ intervals. Additionally, once the TS Revolving System has been set, the orientation of the entire lens can be rotated freely through a range of ±90˚, with detents at 30˚ intervals. The amount of tilt is ±8.5˚ for the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and ±6.5˚ for the TS-E 17mm f/4L. The amount of shift is ±12mm for both lenses. The image circle diameter for both lenses is an impressive 67.2mm. (The diagonal measurement of the full-frame 35mm format is only 43.2mm.)
The high-precision glass molded aspherical and UD glass lens elements and accurate aspherical GMo along with a large diameter in new TS-E lenses deliver outstanding image quality, high resolution and super-low distortion to all edges of the image. Each lens incorporates a new type of anti-reflection coating, Canon’s SubWavelength structure Coating (SWC) that continuously changes the refractive index on the lens surface via wedge-shaped structures more minute than wavelength of visible light. Canon’s SWC helps minimize flare and ghosting caused by bright light from large angles of incidence. The new TS-E lenses are the 2nd and 3rd Canon EF series lenses with SWC, following the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM that was introduced in 2008.
Pricing and Availability
The TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II is expected to ship in May for an estimated retail price of $2,199.00. The TS-E 17mm f/4L is expected to ship in May for an estimated retail price of $2,499.00.
I was really excited for new TS lenes…until I saw the price! Jebus!
I’m intrigued by the news that Canon are going to issue a firmware update for the SX1 IS to enable RAW shooting… sounds like it would be a sweet superzoom compact!
What I got out of the Canon P&S announcement was a new portable printer they announced at the same time for 4×6 dye sub prints. (something has to take party Polaroids place, when a print is needed right now) Unfortunately the 23,234 models is business as usual, just trying to crowd competition of the shelf in a commodities market. I don’t think I can name 10 pricepoints or reasons for same; are they just shutting down a random feature in each? Zoom or no Zoom is two cameras. Movie or no Movie is 2 more. They all have flash, right?
The movies are what I’m intrigued by.
I won’t rely on a p&s as my primary photo tool, but I don’t mind bringing along such a pocketable camera if it includes 720p movies with IS that can replace the camcorder which I currently leave at home far to much.
These cheap options could tide me over until Canon offers another SLR with movie capabilities.
They just released some cameras in October. And their naming system is ridiculous. 960Is and 970IS when these are called 110 and 990 in Europe? What?
I guess the old TS-E 24mm is going to hold its value pretty well for some time to come, given the price of the new one.
Hi Scott,
Thanks for highlighting the new lenses. I can’t help but notice the generally negativity toward Canon on TWIP recently? Could you explain a little. For example, all camera manufactures including Nikon put out numerous compacts each year.
Jennifer I don’t know if you’re referring to the TWIP podcast – which I have no control over – or this blog. If you check – every time ANY manufacturer releases nearly a dozen new point and shoots I get on them.
Those of you who are Canon brand loyalists always seem to be looking for a fight with me since I switched to Nikon. Sorry – nothing to see here. If Nikon releases 10 cameras on the same day I will have the same reaction. And by the way, I shoot a Panasonic LX3 too. If Canon ever figures out their autofocus and quality control problems I may someday buy another Canon.
On the TWIP podcast, Fred and Steve use Nikon. Alex, Ron and Aaron use Canon. So it would be highly unlikely that the majority of hosts would have some sort of bias against their own brand.
While I agree that the number of new models that the manufacturers introduce (and subsequently discontinue) seems a little crazy, it should be noted that this is partially a result of the realities of dealing with major retailers. Now, if we could just get them to make just one small 6 or 8 MP camera that shoots beautiful images at ISO 3200, that would be sweet.