General Canon Questions

[ChiSoxKeith]

Canon announced their new line of gear today.

www.canonrumors.com

Canon 60D
Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS
Canon 8-15 f/4L Fisheye Zoom
Canon 300 f/2.8L IS
Canon 400 f/2.8L IS
Canon 1.4x III & 2.0x III Extenders

No prices. But the 60D looks interesting, as does the fisheye.

k

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Okay, Canon.com has a price on the camera, but nothing on any of the glass.

The 60D (lens only) has an MSRP $1099.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I think that you mean that price is for the body only, not the lens only.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Doh! Body only for $1099.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The MSRPs on the lenses are as follows:

Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens - $1,400
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens - $1,500
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens - $7,000
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens - $11,000
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III & Canon Extender EF 2x III - Approx $500 each

I didn't see new prices for the 500mm or the 600mm. I'm not sure how those MSRPs will translate into street prices.

It looks like they have dropped the non-L 70-300mm f4-5.6. That is still a crowded range for them with the 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO, four variations of 70-200 (f/4 or f/2.8, with IS or without), the old 75-300mm (with or without USM), the 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6, and the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6.

I bought the 300mm f/2.8 earlier this year. I love the lens as it is. I'm curious to see how the new lens compares. However it shakes out, I can't imagine a scenario in which I upgrade.

As cool as the bigger lenses are, I was already priced out of that market. New, improved, and more expensive versions are just going to exascerbate that problem for me.

The 70-300mm looks interesting. I was considering getting the old version as a relatively small/light lens to throw in when I don't want to carry the 70-200 f/2.8 or the 300 f/2.8 but might want the reach. The problem is that the new one isn't all that small or light.

The 8-15mm fisheye looks like a lot of fun. I was never interested in fisheye until I saw some of Groucho's shots here. I bought the 15mm earlier this year and have used it more than I expected. I still haven't used it all that much, but it has been fun. I might get this one someday if I'm feeling flush with cash.

I've already got the prior version of the 1.4x and 2x extenders. I don't see my self upgrading either of those unless they've made remarkable changes.

I'm not really interested in the 60D. I'm waiting for either the 5D Mark III, the much rumored large sensor video camera, or possibly the 1D Mark IV. The last would require some combination of large price drop (haven't seen that happening lately) and something amazingly appealing (like a huge increase in resolution, dynamic range, or something).

 

[VVFF]

The MSRPs on the lenses are as follows:

Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens - $1,400
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens - $1,500
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens - $7,000
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens - $11,000
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III & Canon Extender EF 2x III - Approx $500 each

I didn't see new prices for the 500mm or the 600mm. I'm not sure how those MSRPs will translate into street prices.

It looks like they have dropped the non-L 70-300mm f4-5.6. That is still a crowded range for them with the 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO, four variations of 70-200 (f/4 or f/2.8, with IS or without), the old 75-300mm (with or without USM), the 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6, and the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6.

I bought the 300mm f/2.8 earlier this year. I love the lens as it is. I'm curious to see how the new lens compares. However it shakes out, I can't imagine a scenario in which I upgrade.

As cool as the bigger lenses are, I was already priced out of that market. New, improved, and more expensive versions are just going to exascerbate that problem for me.

The 70-300mm looks interesting. I was considering getting the old version as a relatively small/light lens to throw in when I don't want to carry the 70-200 f/2.8 or the 300 f/2.8 but might want the reach. The problem is that the new one isn't all that small or light.

The 8-15mm fisheye looks like a lot of fun. I was never interested in fisheye until I saw some of Groucho's shots here. I bought the 15mm earlier this year and have used it more than I expected. I still haven't used it all that much, but it has been fun. I might get this one someday if I'm feeling flush with cash.

I've already got the prior version of the 1.4x and 2x extenders. I don't see my self upgrading either of those unless they've made remarkable changes.

I'm not really interested in the 60D. I'm waiting for either the 5D Mark III, the much rumored large sensor video camera, or possibly the 1D Mark IV. The last would require some combination of large price drop (haven't seen that happening lately) and something amazingly appealing (like a huge increase in resolution, dynamic range, or something).

The new 70-300mm is the same length as the old 70-300mm. I don't know yet what the zooming mechanism will entail length wise and I'm sure its a bit wider but it isn't all that much bigger probably. Moreso, it is heavier, being nearly double the weight.

Overall, I was pretty disappointed with these announcements. The fisheye and the 70-300 are the coolest of the bunch. I agree with Mark though that these new lenses are being priced to the point where I better have real good justification for using it. Hopefully this will help the "little" guys(pentax, sony, etc.) get a foothold in the market. Nikon lenses are even worse in this regard($$) so hopefully more competition will return some sanity to prices.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Thanks for finding the MSRP of the lenses!

I'm interested (possibly) in the 60D. I'm coming up from a 300D.

I'm not sure I can afford the new lenses either, but I'm sure the rental places will have them and I can give them a shot that way.

 

[allie5]

Interesting thanks. Anyone know how the 60D compares with the 7D yet? Im about to upgrade from a 30D and lust after a 7D but the 60 seems considerably cheaper so it might be worth considering.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Interesting thanks. Anyone know how the 60D compares with the 7D yet? Im about to upgrade from a 30D and lust after a 7D but the 60 seems considerably cheaper so it might be worth considering.

I haven't seen a full comparison. I did see a few quick differences. First, they're moving the xxD bodies slightly downscale with more plastic parts and SD cards instead of CF cards. And before anyone flames me for considering SD cards downscale compared to CF cards, let me clarify that I don't. Canon uses SD cards on their consumer cameras and CF cards on their pro cameras as a general rule. I couldn't say why.

The 60D has the articulated screen, which looks pretty cool. The downside is that it makes for a more fragile and probably less well sealed camera.

It looks like the metering and video capabilities of the 60D are the same as the 7D. The sensor appears to be the same.

The frame rate is lower (5fps vs 8fps). I don't think it has the 7D's AF capabilities either.

I think it follows the usual pattern in camera equipment. Each additional dollar you spend buys you much less than the prior dollar. So the T2i is much cheaper than the 60D and does most of what the more expensive camera does. The 7D adds a bit more capability, but with a big price jump. Whether the added features are worth the extra money is an individual judgement call.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The chart at the bottom of this site might help.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Thanks for the link to the comparison.

I also agree with your thoughts about camera $$. I'm worried about the move to the plastic body on the 60D a bit. I really like the way the 7D feels in my hand when I shoot and not the way the T2i feels. The T2i just feels wrong. But I could probably get over that with the nearly $1000 price difference.

 

[zackiedawg]

That may not just be the plastic though Keith - the grade of plastic can vary, and some plastic cams can feel quite solid...and the other factor is that entry-level Canons have always had much less substantial grip designs, that are not as comfortable for some folks, especially if you're used to the higher-end Canon semi-pro and pro models (or other camera brands).

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Understood. The T2i just feels small when I hold it. I saw the size comparison on the the link that Mark listed and this new 60D is very comparable in size to the 50D / 7D rather than the smaller T2i.

I guess I'll have something fun to look at whenever they start showing up on store shelves (which is sometime in September if I remember correctly).

k

 

[MICKEY88]

And before anyone flames me for considering SD cards downscale compared to CF cards, let me clarify that I don't. Canon uses SD cards on their consumer cameras and CF cards on their pro cameras as a general rule. I couldn't say why.

I don't know the actual reason for this, but from my experience, when on the sidelines of a football game or basketball game and I need to change cards I'm much more comfortable changing out the larger CF cards, my big hands are less likely to drop them than an sd card, it's also a lot easier to find the CF card in a pocket.

I would imagine it would be the same if I were out shooting wildlife, or hanging off the side of a mountain..

 

[zackiedawg]

I would agree with that Mickey...the CF cards are a bit easier to hold onto securely. I was a wee bit worried when I moved to the A550 with the SD/MS card slots as I was used to the CF - but having the two card slots ends up being a better solution as I always have a backup card already loaded in the camera - no changes needed!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Is already clearing out the 50D.

Body + the 28-135mm IS lens is $1099 (same price as the 60D body only). Bestbuy.com is still listing the sale price ($1185) but I was there as the kid in the store was putting the clearance tag of $1099 on theirs. Was seriously tempted.

 

[allie5]

I haven't seen a full comparison. I did see a few quick differences. First, they're moving the xxD bodies slightly downscale with more plastic parts and SD cards instead of CF cards. And before anyone flames me for considering SD cards downscale compared to CF cards, let me clarify that I don't. Canon uses SD cards on their consumer cameras and CF cards on their pro cameras as a general rule. I couldn't say why.

The 60D has the articulated screen, which looks pretty cool. The downside is that it makes for a more fragile and probably less well sealed camera.

It looks like the metering and video capabilities of the 60D are the same as the 7D. The sensor appears to be the same.

The frame rate is lower (5fps vs 8fps). I don't think it has the 7D's AF capabilities either.

I think it follows the usual pattern in camera equipment. Each additional dollar you spend buys you much less than the prior dollar. So the T2i is much cheaper than the 60D and does most of what the more expensive camera does. The 7D adds a bit more capability, but with a big price jump. Whether the added features are worth the extra money is an individual judgement call.

The chart at the bottom of this site might help.

Thanks both. I think the 60D could be a good camera for me...its considerably cheaper and the differences are things that arent hugely important to me - Im a casual user so the build doesnt have to be particularly robust. the FPS is not a feature I need to be super fast in my areas of interest either. The dual sensor on the 7D is appealing but not $1000 of appealing . As for the memory card - it will suit me to go completely SD as my second camera is a Fuji HS10 so it will make life easier having one set of cards!

 

[Shutterbug]

Yeah I was lookin to upgrade from the 40D but not the big jump in price up to the 7D. Was hopin the 60D would be it, evidently not. It would be a step backwards.
Guess I will just buy a lens instead, been wanting a super wide angle.

 

[Master Mason]

Yeah I was lookin to upgrade from the 40D but not the big jump in price up to the 7D. Was hopin the 60D would be it, evidently not. It would be a step backwards.
Guess I will just buy a lens instead, been wanting a super wide angle.

I wasn't even looking to upgrade my 40D, but it is nice that there isn't anything really tempting to me in what I have read either.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Is already clearing out the 50D.

Body + the 28-135mm IS lens is $1099 (same price as the 60D body only). Bestbuy.com is still listing the sale price ($1185) but I was there as the kid in the store was putting the clearance tag of $1099 on theirs. Was seriously tempted.

I just picked up a used 50d with 1200 clicks on ebay with a grip and 3 canon batteries for $800 on ebay (no lens), so the used market is ripe with 50d deals!