EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Canon has released an announcement confirming the release of the rumoured EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
The new model has apparently improved optics, a reduced minimum focusing distance of 1.2m, improved magnification (0.21x) and updated Image Stabilisation, allowing a reduction in four stops in shutter speed. Further ergonomic improvements have been made to switches and the lens focusing ring and a small 20g reduction in weight has been achieved.
It is expected to be released in February 2010, but stock will most likely arrive about mid April 2010. RRP is yet to be determined.
Kingdom Hearts 2 / Organisation XIII Photoshoot at Cockatoo Island
This would be the second time I've shot at Cockatoo Island, but once again in the rain. Meeting up with people from the Animania Forum, we missed the first ferry, which was probably fortunate since we had waited the rain out a bit before proceeding.
I missed quite a few things the first time around on the island and so whilst I knew of a few spots to take photos, there were also new and interesting things to try. On the upper side the the island, an entire area that was previously closed off had opened up. I didn't get many usable shots in this area, but there's always next time.
I'm not particularly liking the use of my Sigma 10-20mm on a full frame camera. The vignetting is nice (albeit strange) for a few shots, but shortly after becomes rather overused. A 35mm 1.4 is still a whiles away yet, so in the meantime, I just have to make do with what I have.
My composition needs improvement, that which can only be fixed through more (creative) shooting, but in time all will fall into place. One of my goals this time around was to make better use of my flash and whilst I made a partial improvement, I'd really like to jump to more off camera work, ala Strobist style.
Lessons learned? Know the limitations of your hardware; reframe to avoid subjects at the edges of wide angle lenses, don't rely on your 70-200mm or you'll become creatively stale. Charge your flash batteries after a wedding the previous day! -2EV or so in ambient for flash photography will fool your post processing software; think about what is being "metered" as the "correct" exposure in post. Jeans are once again such a good friend.
Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8L IS USM & EF 70-200mm 2.8L II IS USM
Currently out of the rumour mill is news that Canon will be releasing a new and improved version of the highly coveted EF 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM, and also providing the already very popular EF 24-70mm 2.8L USM with Image Stabilisation.
Whilst there are lots of rumours, these two have to be the most relevant for me and probably quite a large percentage of amateur and pro shooters out there. I purchased the 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM a while back, but relatively speaking, I've had it for a very short time considering the design is almost 8 years old now. Whilst not everyone owns the 2.8 IS version, the release of an update to it will certainly drive the existing price down, opening up new avenues for those who were previously considering the non-IS or f/4 flavours of the 70-200. So whilst Canon delays the announcement of the update to the 70-200mm, everyone will be sitting in limbo, wondering what to do with their money.
On the 24-70mm side of things, the $2,000 (or so) question used to be 24-70 2.8L or 24-105 4L IS? If Canon releases a 24-70 with IS, I expect their 24-105 sales to drop overnight. Those that went the 24-70 2.8L path usually did so because they needed those extra stops. It wasn't hand-hold-ability, at low light levels they needed to be able to stop motion. With the 24-105, IS was forgiving of the slower aperture, but it wasn't a low light lens. It wasn't meant to be. It was low light versus versatility. Stopping motion versus stabilisation. Drop IS into the 24-70 and suddenly the additional 35mm of reach doesn't really count for as much any more, especially if you own any of the 70-200 range.
Whilst Canon is apparently making an announcement for the 70-200 early 2010, I wouldn't hold my breath on IS for the 24-70 until Canon themselves has something more to say.
Update (6/1/10): Canon has released an announcement confirming the release of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
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