Canon chose to announce the availability of a new wide-angle lens along with the EOS-1Ds Mark III. It’s the new EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM prime, which upgrades the existing EF 14mm f/2.8L USM.
The lens will feature the same correction for rectilinear distortion, but with improved dust and water resistance, a round aperture for nice bokeh, and a better-designed cap, that’s held to the lens by a stopper. Having briefly used the existing 14mm prime, I can tell you the lens cap kept falling off, and it was a real hassle to get the lens out of a gear bag if the cap end was facing toward you. It would come off immediately, and then you’d inevitably touch the lens surface with your fingers, which required a cleaning.
The price for this lens will be approximately $400 more than the street price of the existing 14mm prime, at around $2,199.
More information:
- EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM specs on Canon website
- EF 14mm f/2.8L USM specs on Canon website
- EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM listing at Amazon and B&H Photo (not yet available)
- EF 14mm f/2.8L USM listings at Amazon and B&H Photo