By site editor Dan Chung:
Canon have today announced a pair of new wide angle EOS lenses that should appeal to video shooters. The first is a slower f4 version of their existing full-frame 16-35mm lens. While the EF 16-35mm f4L IS may not sound too appealing the lens gains Canon’s latest image stabilsation (IS) system which makes handheld shooting much easier. Given how well Canon’s newest DSLR and Cinema EOS cameras perform in low light I would consider trading the extra f-stop to gain the IS. Another nice touch is the nine blade circular aperture which should make for nicer background blur (bokeh).
Also announced is the EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM lens. Designed more with consumers in mind, this lens has a slower aperture but gains the STM motor for near silent AF in movie mode. Being a EF-S lens it does not work on full-frame bodies such as the 5D mkIII, but will work fine on 70D or C100. It too has an optical image stabiliser but lacks more professional features such as distance markings on the manual focus ring. I see this as being a useful alternative to the existing EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 lens for those wanting a cheaper non-L wide angle. The lower weight and STM motor may also suit it to use in brushless gimbals or lightweight Steadicams.
There is no word on whether either lens is a parfocal design which would hold focus though out the zoom range.
Official pricing and availability are TBA but US resellers are already listing the 16-35mm f4 at $1200US and the EF-S 10-18mm a reasonable $300 US.
Here are the official specs from Canon:
EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM key features:
• L-series construction and optics
• Constant f/4 maximum aperture
• 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer
• Fast, silent AF
• Superb image quality
• 9-blade circular aperture
• Full-time manual focusing
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.28m
• Non-rotating front element
EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM key features:
• Ultra-wide angle zoom for APS-C EOS DSLRs
• Lightweight and compact
• Smooth, near-silent STM focusing
• 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer
• Superb image quality
• Super Spectra Coating
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.22m
• Manual focus ring
• Circular aperture
• Optional lens hood
