Canon has posted more information on the new 300mm F2.8L IS II USM and 400mm F2.8L IS II USM super telephoto lenses as well as the new 1.4x TC MKIII and 2x TC MKIII tel-extenders on their Digital Learning website.

It may be hard to believe that it’s been more than a decade since Canon introduced its first generation of image-stabilized super-telephoto lenses, but it’s true. The EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM, EF 500mm f/4L IS USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS USM, along with the Series II EF Extenders, were introduced in 1999. Even now, most photographers would agree that those products have been and continue to be state-of-the-art in terms of quality and performance.

However, there is always room for improvement. During the past 11 years, Canon has listened carefully to feedback from professional photographers, visiting various shooting locations around the world and making firsthand observations of the issues that are encountered by actual users. At the same time, the company has continued to invest significant funds in research and development, resulting in technology advancements that have made higher performance products possible.

Against this backdrop, Canon is proud to introduce its second generation of IS super-telephoto lenses, beginning with the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Along with the new lenses, Canon is introducing the Extenders EF 1.4X III and EF 2X III. All of these products are scheduled for initial shipments by the end of 2010. Canon has also issued an announcement that the EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM are currently being developed, with delivery planned in 2011.

Please see the Canon Digital Learning website for the complete story.

Canon created quite a stir yesterday on the internet when they announced their new 8-15mm F4L USM Fish Eye Lens as part of six new professional ‘L’ series lenses.  There was nary a hint this revolutionary new lens was coming on any of the usual Canon rumour websites – this time Canon did a great job of keeping it under wraps. From Canons Digital Learning Centre Website:

It’s not every day that a lens comes along that can be called a new concept for the professional shooter, but Canon has done it again: the new EF 8–15mm f/4L USM fisheye lens is a remarkable design that rewrites what’s possible with a fisheye lens. Whether you’re an underwater photographer, a wedding shooter looking for that exciting way to get a “different” picture, a commercial shooter, an HD videographer or an advanced enthusiast, this is a lens with potential you need to examine.

In one move, Canon has suddenly changed the entire dynamic of what’s possible with a fisheye lens. Long regarded as a super-specialized lens for only occasional use, the EF 8–15mm f/4L USM’s stunning versatility makes it a powerful and compelling option for a broad variety of photographers. Its zoom range gives it not just composition flexibility, but literally transforms it into different lenses for different digital SLR camera bodies. Combined with a great AF system and excellent optics, it’s a lens that should find its way into the camera bags of many different shooters, pro and advanced amateur alike. Its relatively modest size, weight and a price that’s within range of many serious shooters only underline its appeal.

There is a good explanation of this lens (including diagrams on framing implications), how it operates and what its capabilities are on the Digital Learning website. This is a very exciting lens for landscape photographers and I am looking forward to getting my hands on one for testing.