Canon Consumer Grade Long Zoom lens May Come In 2nd Half Of 2018

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II zoom lens

I have just returned from a Wildlife Photo shoot in Hudson Bay, Canada. The action was very good, with encounters of Polar bear sows and cubs, Arctic and Silver foxes, Snowy Owls and Arctic hares.
Once I have time to catch up with my daily routine, I will post some of the latest photos.  You can follow my travels on Facebook , Twitter and see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon filed a patent for the EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS super zoom lens in 2016. The market for a consumer grade long zoom lens is dominated by Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm models right now but Canon is interested in this space and may announce their EF 200-600mm lens some time in the second half of 2018.

Unless, the new lens comes in the professional 'L' grade model, the price point (presumably just slightly higher than or equal to the competing third party models) will not make economical sense for Canon to make the lens a great weather-sealed performer. I am not impressed by the current 'super zoom' models on the market. Adding the Canon name to another consumer model will not make it any better, albeit perhaps a solid performer for its price. There may even be a custom extender as an option to add on the new glass.

The current EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II is a great performer. Even with a 1.4x extender added, the image is still quite acceptable. I hope Canon will release the EF 200-600mm in the 'L' grade and the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR some time next year. I will be a buyer of both glass. 

Some Tamron Lens Not Fully Compatible With Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Camera

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II was announced on February 1, 2016 and I have received my copy recently and took it on a field test to the Upper Amazon/Peruvian Highlands. You can read my review here.

Sigma announced yesterday some of their Art lens are not fully compatible with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera. I mentioned this is not unusual since Sigma is not an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) authorized by Canon. They use 'reverse engineering' and try to make their lens 'fully compatible' with all the Canon firmware codes. This is not a problem with some of the older bodies but the new ones, like the EOS-1D X Mark II are very complicated.

I suggested there will be other lens models and 3rd party manufacturers having the same problem. This morning, Tamron announced a similar issue with some of their lens made for Canon and Nikon.


From Tamron :

Notice about compatibility between Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and Tamron lens products (about functions on Lens aberration correction)

When using a Tamron lens with the newly released Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera, please turn OFF the “Lens aberration correction” function included in the camera’s menu prior to use.

A notice regarding compatibility issue with the EOS-1D X Mark II and availability of firmware update service (about AF functions on Live View mode)

We wish to notify you that the AF functions of the following interchangeable lenses for Canon, which have been produced before May 11th, 2015 and have not had firmware updates installed by Tamron, do not function in Live View mode when used on the EOS-1D X Mark II which went on sale on April 28th, 2016 in Japan.

*Please see the below links for the previous firmware update service announcements regarding the EOS Rebel T6s/EOS 760D (EOS 8000D) / the EOS Rebel T6i/ EOS 750D (EOS Kiss X8i), the EOS 5Ds / the EOS 5DsR, the EOS 80D, and the firmware update service for SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A011) for panning shot.

http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2015/0508_3.html
http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2015/0508.html
http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2015/0622_3.html
http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2016/0406.html

We sincerely apologize to all users and potential purchasers for any inconvenience the issue may cause.

Affected models

Interchangeable lenses for Canon which have been produced before May 11th

SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012)
SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A009)
SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A011)
SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F004)
28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD (Model A010)
16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO (Model B016)

Firmware update will not be required for those lenses produced after May 11st, 2015 (serial numbers).

Please check the serial number from the links below :

SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012)
SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A009)
SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A011)
SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F004)
28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD (Model A010)
16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO (Model B016)

For those who require firmware update service, please contact your local Tamron distributor for more details.

Firmware update service is now available for SP 35mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (F012) and SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (F013)

Dear users and potential purchasers of Tamron interchangeable lenses. Thank you for using Tamron products.

We wish to notify you that we will perform updating of the firmware for our SP 35mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F012) and SP 45mm F/1.8Di VC USD (Model F013) lens products.

Affected models 

• SP 35mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F012) for Nikon, Canon
• SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F013) for Nikon, Canon

Serial numbers 

• Firmware update will not be required for those serial numbers. Please check the serial numbers from the link here.

 Firmware Update Improvements 

• You will now be able to use TAP-in Console (optional and sold separately) with the lens products above. (for Nikon and Canon)
• Corrected the issue of exposure becoming unstable under certain conditions when using these lenses with either the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II or EOS 80D. (for Canon)

How to update the firmware 

• For those who require firmware update service, please contact your local Tamron distributor for more details.

Canon Super Zoom Lens Coming in 2017

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II zoom lens

Late last year, I reported Canon has filed a patent for the EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS super zoom lens. Word is Canon may now be ready to release this lens to compete with the Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm models on the market.

Unless, the new lens comes in the professional 'L' grade model, the price point (presumably just slightly higher than or equal to the competing third party models) will not make economical sense for Canon to make the lens a great weather-sealed performer. I am not impressed by the current 'super zoom' models on the market. Adding the Canon name to another consumer model will not make it any better, albeit perhaps a solid performer for its price. There may even be a custom extender as an option to add on the new glass.

The current EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II is a great performer. Even with a 1.4x extender added, the image is still quite acceptable. I hope Canon will release the EF 200-600mm in the 'L' grade and the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR some time this year. I will be a buyer of both glass. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com 

Canon Patent - EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS Lens

Egami, the Japanese photography blog has discovered a Canon patent for a EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS zoom lens. Sigma and Tamron both have consumer grade 150-600mm lens on the market and they seem to sell quite well because of their low price.

Canon recently showed off the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR lens during the EXPO Show in September but it will be another Super Telephoto lens and may be out of reach for many photographers. An 'L' grade long zoom like the EF 200-600mm may be within reach for more buyers. Depending on weight, I may be interested in this lens if it comes to market but the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR is definitely on my buy list.

    Patent Publication No. 2015-212724

•         Published 2015.11.26
•         Filing date 2014.5.1

    Example 1

•         Zoom ratio 3.00
•         Focal length 200.00 340.00 600.00
•         F-number 4.60 4.60 5.20
•         Angle of view 6.18 3.64 2.07
•         Image height 21.65 21.65 21.65
•         Overall length of the lens 355.16 355.16 355.16
•         BF 65.16 65.16 65.16

Black Friday Deal - Tamron SP 150-600mm Lens $699

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di IF VC lens

My readers know I have been a wildlife photographer using Canon equipment for 25 years. Tamron announced the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lens in late 2013 and I tested one of the early models while traveling in Asia. You can read my review here.

There is a highly rated merchant on eBay selling this lens for $699 after rebates from Tamron USA. The list price is $1,069. I am not a fan of this glass although it may be a good deal for those who are on a limited budget and shoot wildlife photography as a hobby.

You will not find a link to this eBay item because I do not accept any advertisement or commissioned link on my Blog or website. I am completely unbiased in my reporting, have no conflict of interest and do not endorse any particular company. Find this listing on eBay yourself easily.  You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon Developing New Slower Super Telephoto Lens?

Recently, I came across a post with the headline, 'Canon developing a new, slower Super Telephoto lens'. It read as follows :


We’re told that Canon is developing a new supertelephoto lens that is slower than f/4. One immediately thinks about an update to the EF 400mm f/5.6L, but we’re told that is not the case and it’ll be a new lens altogether.

While the source couldn’t nail down the exact focal length, speed or even if it was going to be a L lens, they did say the hope was to have such a lens to be announced some time in 2016 and that it would be “affordable”.

Frankly, that does not make sense to me. Yes, Canon is planning to introduce a replacement to the venerable EF 400mm f/5.6L some time in the future but this is technically a "L' lens with a long focal length in my book, not a Super Telephoto lens. Canon already had a slower, Super Telephoto lens, the EF 500mm f/4.5L. It was replaced by the EF 500mm f/4L IS in 1999.  Currently, only 2 companies offer affordable, super telephoto wannabe zoom lens, like the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens and the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens.

Of course, these lens are more affordable for a reason. They are slower, less well-built and do not have the same image quality as the top-of-the-line Canon or Nikon lens. In my opinion, Canon already has a winning technology on their hands. It is the Diffractive Optics lens, the latest model is the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II. This is my favorite Super Telephoto lens in my equipment bag. 

Diffractive Optics technology helps Canon lower the weight of the lens without sacrificing image or build quality. It also keeps the price of the lens quite 'affordable'. They should be developing more lens with DO technology in different focal lengths. The ultimate glass of course, would be a DO version of the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x Extender lens but I am not holding out hope for that any time soon.