Canon updates it’s pro lenses, adds a weird fisheye zoom, and introduces a mid range dSLR – the 60D

Written by Gary on August 26th, 2010

Following Canon’s announcement this week that it had produced a 120 megapixel, APS-H 1.3x crop sensor (for research only at this stage), it has predictably updated several of its pro lenses to match the current high resolution sensors as I predicted it would need to do 2 years ago (see here).

The updated lenses include:

  • version III of both the EF Extender 1.4x and 2x
  • version II of each of the EF IS USM L lenses: 300mm f/2.8, 400mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4 and 600mm f/4 – the latter 2 are still in development
  • and a more affordable L lens – a 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

The updates include Sub Wavelength Structure coatings are employed to minimize flare, water-repellant Fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements, new IS mode has been added that activates stabilization only during exposure, and a ‘Power Focus’ mode for video shooting.

A real surprise is yet another extreme lens – this time a world first full frame 8-15mm f/4 USM L fisheye zoom lens – not sure the world needs this but perhaps I am wrong! I would have thought circular fisheye images were a bit passe! See dpreview.com.

The Canon EOS 60D APS-C cropped sensor dSLR is a rather predictable evolution of Canon’s mid-range dSLR series which has the following specs:

  • 18mp sensor
  • flip out 3″ LCD – finally they have adopted a similar LCD to Olympus and Panasonic – about time!
  • full HD movies with manual control as per Canon 7D
  • 5.3fps
  • 9 point cross-type AF
  • iFCL metering with 63 zone dual layer metering sensor
  • integrated Speedlight transmitter for infrared wireless TTL flash
  • EyeFi wi-fi file transfer
  • SDXC memory card support

Unfortunately, still no built-in image stabiliser, but I can only hope Canon bring this is in sometime this decade because I really want it – I miss this functionality which I take for granted on my Olympus dSLR.

See more at dpreview.com

 

3 Comments so far ↓

  1. ecle says:

    Hi,
    it is not really a circular fisheye.
    With 15mm on fullframe it’s diagonal.
    8-14mm is useful for APS-C and APS-H.

  2. admin says:

    According to dpreview.com it is circular fisheye at 8mm:

    “This replacement for the EF 15mm F2.8 fisheye will produce circular images with a 180 degree angle of view when used at its widest setting on 35mm-format cameras such as the EOS 5D Mark II”

    seems circular to me!

  3. ecle says:

    Yes thats true. But only at the widest setting. Not at 15mm. So it can be both, diagonal and circular.
    The advantage of this Fisheye Zoom is that you can reach 180 degress with fullframe and also with smaller formats.