Nikon is why Canon updates lenses & vice versa

A lot of us are waiting for updates to the lenses below.

Pre-2006 L primes that are expected to be updated from oldest to newest

1993 EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
1996 EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
1996 EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
1996 EF 135mm f/2L USM
1997 EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
1998 EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

Pre-2005 L zooms that are expected to be updated from oldest to newest.

1995 EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
1998 EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
1999EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
2002 EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
2003 EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
2004 EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

As such we visit CR & NL for leads on what and when these products will pop out.

Now I have noticed for the past few years that Canon & Nikon tend to try to outdo each other by being each other's follower. If Nikon releases a 200-400mm VR Canon has to respond with the 200-400mm IS with an added twist being the Ext 1.4x.

Seldom do they introduce new products out of nowhere like say the 200-400mm VR, 14-24mm, 800mm IS, TS-E 17mm, 8-15mm Fisheye, etc.

So what Ls do I think will be updated or introduced within the next 24 months? The answer is below

1991 TS-E 45mm f/2.8 (2008 PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED)
1991 TS-E 90mm f/2.8 (2008 PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D)
1998 EF 35mm f/1.4L USM (2011 AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G)

2002 EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM (2007 AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED)
2003 EF 17-40mm f/4L USM (2010AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR)
2004 EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM (2011 AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR)

I also expect an L treatment for the AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED soon.

Did not include EFS lenses as they are not an area of interest.

70-200 was already updated I kinna want the update to 35L and 135L but just for the bragging rights as these lenses are very good. my picks will be 24-70II, 100-400II and 300F4 II. These would be my choices for first updates.

Mastamarek wrote in post #11889405
70-200 was already updated I kinna want the update to 35L and 135L but just for the bragging rights as these lenses are very good. my picks will be 24-70II, 100-400II and 300F4 II. These would be my choices for first updates.

The f/2.8 IS, yes but not the "f/2.8" non-IS or the "f/4" non-IS.

Unless Nikon intros lenses found in your choices then it is highly unlikely Canon would update them.

oh, lol. I totally forgot canon was making these lenses without IS. duhh

I'm waiting for the primes to be updated...especially the trinity 35, 85 and 135. ^^

It makes complete business sense. As photographers we may want other lenses created or updates, but Canon is a manufacturing company.

Malsam wrote in post #11891232
I'm waiting for the primes to be updated...especially the trinity 35, 85 and 135. ^^

The 3 lenses you listed have to be some of the best primes I have had the pleasure to shoot with. Why update them? Or were you being facetious and I missed it? The 135L is on my short list for next purchase after testing it recently.

I don't think Nikon drives the updates. Rather, the increased resolution of newer sensors on Canon's latest cameras make the shortcomings of older lenses more visible. That combined with designing for easier and less expensive assembly process by the factory saving labor dollars and increasing profit.

Muggsly wrote in post #11891711
The 3 lenses you listed have to be some of the best primes I have had the pleasure to shoot with. Why update them? Or were you being facetious and I missed it? The 135L is on my short list for next purchase after testing it recently.

Updated USM
Dust- and water-resistant construction
Fluorite / UD Elements
SWC
Circular aperture
Aspherical elements
Hybrid IS
4 stops or more of IS

The same could be said with the 600mm IS, 500mm IS, 400mm IS & 300mm IS but they are being discontinued. Should I go any further?

bsmotril wrote in post #11891722
I don't think Nikon drives the updates. Rather, the increased resolution of newer sensors on Canon's latest cameras make the shortcomings of older lenses more visible. That combined with designing for easier and less expensive assembly process by the factory saving labor dollars and increasing profit.

It is a given that digital sensors record light differently from film and increasing resolution will show flaws unseen before.

If we followed FIFO a lot of the lenses mentioned here should have been updated years ago. FIFO is often applied to Canon's DSLR. Like right now I expect the next EOS body to be updated would be the 1Ds3 or 5D2.

What this thread intends to show is that Nikon provides Canon with the direction where they should start updating their glass. Design shortcomings like those found in the original 16-35/2.8L I is another motive to update.

dolina wrote in post #11891869
Updated USM
Dust- and water-resistant construction
Fluorite / UD Elements
SWC
Circular aperture
Aspherical elements
Hybrid IS
4 stops or more of IS

Should I go any further?

Water resistance would be nice but the rest of things you listed are not needed in many of their primes and will only increase the price considerably. Don't look a list of don't have but look at their optical quality which is phenomenal.

The 35mm could use some work but the 85mm and 135mm are perfect and not in need of any of the things you listed.

Actually, IS would be nice to have on a fast prime. Especially the hybrid IS that Canon added to the 100L macro to keep that razor thin DOF where you want it.

krb wrote in post #11891955
Actually, IS would be nice to have on a fast prime. Especially the hybrid IS that Canon added to the 100L macro to keep that razor thin DOF where you want it.

I have the 100L and the IS is hardly used by me if ever. I think I used it a few times when I 1st got the lens but I haven't used it as of late. What sold me on the 100l was focus speed.

Muggsly wrote in post #11891910
Water resistance would be nice but the rest of things you listed are not needed in many of their primes and will only increase the price considerably. Don't look a list of don't have but look at their optical quality which is phenomenal.

The 35mm could use some work but the 85mm and 135mm are perfect and not in need of any of the things you listed.

Some features are applicable to all while other are to some.

These new glass have to work well with sensors of the next 10-20 years. The current glass may work great now but will they be at peak form with bodies 1-2 decades from today?

This is not a negotiation but a warning of things to come. If you feel that these glass need no updates then feel free to buy them now. If any of the glass I mentioned were to be updated a day, week, month or even quarter of when I bought it I'd feel bad. If I knew this and still bought it I would not feel that bad.

EF 85mm F1.2L II USM is not on the list. It was marketed in March 2006. The model before that was marketed in September 1989.

A good guide of features to be added can be found http://www.usa.canon.c​om …splay/Lens_Adva​ntage_Perf and http://www.usa.canon.c​om …display/Lens_Ad​vantage_IS

krb wrote in post #11891955
Actually, IS would be nice to have on a fast prime. Especially the hybrid IS that Canon added to the 100L macro to keep that razor thin DOF where you want it.

I'd love to have 4-stops or more of IS on a 135mm that is f/1.8, 1.6 or 1.4. Same would be on a 400/5.6.

I'd love to have the following lens below updated soon.

1993 EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
1996 EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
1996 EF 135mm f/2L USM
1998 EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

Muggsly wrote in post #11891978
I have the 100L and the IS is hardly used by me if ever. I think I used it a few times when I 1st got the lens but I haven't used it as of late. What sold me on the 100l was focus speed.

I have the 100mm Macro USM and if you want I accept a straight trade with your 100L Macro IS.

dolina wrote in post #11892052
I'd love to have 4-stops or more of IS on a 135mm that is f/1.8, 1.6 or 1.4.

I was thinking of lenses like the 50L and 85L, but yeah a 135/1.4L IS would be a really, really nice lens.

krb wrote in post #11892072
I was thinking of lenses like the 50L and 85L, but yeah a 135/1.4L IS would be a really, really nice lens.

A nice and heavy lens at around 2kg. But it'll be killer in indoor use.

Think a shorter/squatter 200/2L IS, 400/4 DO IS or 300mm/2.8L IS.

4 or more stops of IS on a 50/1.2L & 85/1.2L would be nice but unless Nikon does it it is unlikely.