Today Canon announced a new 17mm tilt/shift lens, the TS-E 17/4L, and an update to the current 24mm tilt/shift lens, the TS-E 24/3.5L II.
The new TS-E 17/4L is the widest tilt/shift lens yet offered. It has full 35mm frame coverage and when used on an APS-C crop sensor camera such as the EOS 50D it will provide the same angle of view as a 27mm TS-E would on a full frame camera. From the illustration it looks like the highly curved front element protrudes significantly in front of the lens barrel, so some care will be needed to avoid damaging it. A lens hood looks like an excellent idea with this lens. Obviously front mounted filters won't be usable with the TS-E 17/4L. I'd assume it has a rear slot for filters, as the EF 15/2.8 fisheye does, but I haven't found any reference to a rear filter holder yet.
Both lenses allow independent rotation of the tilt and shift axis. Previously on the TS-E 24mm (and 45 and 90mm), the axes could be setup parallel or perpendicular, but they could not be easily adjusted in the field.
The current version of the Canon TS-E 24/4L sells for around $1150, but the new MkII version will be $2199 and the TS-E 17/4L will list at $2499 when they start shipping in May. Street prices are normally the same as the "list" price for new lenses, though after a few months it usually drops slightly. Looks like you should buy now if you want to save around $1000 and don't mind the "Mk I" version (which is a very good lens!).
Canon Press Release:
Key features of the TS-E 17mm f/4L and TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II include:
TS-E 24/3.5L II | TS-E 17/4L | |
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture | 24mm f3.5 |
17mm f4 |
Lens Construction | 16 elements in 11 groups 1 Aspheric, 3 UD elements |
18 elements in 12 groups 1 Aspheric, 4 UD elements |
Diagonal Angle of View | 84° (without tilt or shift) Image circle diameter 58.6mm |
104° (without tilt or shift) |
Focus Adjustment | Manual focus, overall linear extension system | Manual focus, overall linear extension system |
Closest Focusing Distance | 0.69 ft./0.21m (maximum close-up magnification: 0.34x) |
0.82 ft./0.25m (maximum close-up magnification: 0.14x) |
Filter Size | 82mm | |
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight | 3.5 x 4.2 in./88.5 x 106.9mm, 27.5 oz./780g | 3.5 x 4.2 in./88.9 x 106.7mm (maximum lens length), 28.9 oz./820g |
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 17, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging and optics, today introduced two new Tilt-Shift lenses, the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L. These two new L series lenses expand the Company's extensive lens line-up of TS-E lenses giving photographers creative control over perspective and depth of field in their images. Both the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L are specialty lenses ideal for landscape and architectural photography and are compatible with all Canon EOS system single lens reflex cameras1. The TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II, a replacement for Canon's TS-E 24mm f/3.5L introduced in 1991, has significantly improved operability with low distortion when photographing buildings, consistent image quality throughout the image and reduced chromatic aberration when shooting at ultra-wide angles. The TS-E 17mm f/4L is the world's shortest focal length Tilt-Shift lens with full-frame 35mm coverage.
"These two new lenses are Canon's answer to photographers who have requested wider angle Tilt-Shift lenses, with the new TS-E 24mm for wide angles and the all new TS-E 17mm for ultra-wide angles. We continually seek to expand our optics portfolio to meet the demands of our photographers to ensure that they have the best tools available to capture some of the most stunning images on the planet," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
An innovative feature on both the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L lenses is Canon's new TS Revolving System. This feature allows tilting and shifting lens movements to be adjusted in parallel or at right angles to each other, with detents at 45° intervals. Additionally, once the TS Revolving System has been set, the orientation of the entire lens can be rotated freely through a range of ±90°, with detents at 30° intervals. The amount of tilt is ±8.5° for the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and ±6.5° for the TS-E 17mm f/4L. The amount of shift is ±12mm for both lenses. The image circle diameter for both lenses is an impressive 67.2mm. (The diagonal measurement of the full-frame 35mm format is only 43.2mm.)
The high-precision glass molded aspherical and UD glass lens elements and accurate aspherical GMo along with a large diameter in new TS-E lenses deliver outstanding image quality, high resolution and super-low distortion to all edges of the image. Each lens incorporates a new type of anti-reflection coating, Canon's SubWavelength structure Coating (SWC) that continuously changes the refractive index on the lens surface via wedge-shaped structures more minute than wavelength of visible light. Canon's SWC helps minimize flare and ghosting caused by bright light from large angles of incidence. The new TS-E lenses are the 2nd and 3rd Canon EF series lenses with SWC, following the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM that was introduced in 2008.
Pricing and Availability
The TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II is expected to ship in May for an estimated retail price of $2,199.00*. The TS-E 17mm f/4L is expected to ship in May for an estimated retail price of $2,499.00*.