Canon's previous 24-105 f/4L IS USM is currently used as a kit lens on most new professional full frame bodies. It offers great image quality at a reasonable price and with an even greater zoom lens. While f/4 is generally considered slow for this level of lens, the zoom range and image stabilization make this lens an excellent all around shooter. Canon's new lens hopes to improve upon the 24-105 with a new optical system for sharper images and a hybrid IS for an even greater level of stabilization. Unfortunately, this feature comes with a significant loss in the zoom range of this lens making it more comparable to the new Canon 24-70 f/2.8L II. With these two lenses, canon trades a stop in aperture for the addition of IS. This combination also keeps the new 24-70 f/4 at a more reasonable but still very expensive $1,499.00 vs the 24-105's $1,149.00 price. As a result, it remains to be seen if this lens is added to the kit bodies which will likely result in a higher price for the current DSLR kits. While the price increase is not very substantial, the 24-105mm lens is often available for much less than retail price. In addition, the new lens does come with the unwelcome reduction in zoom range.

The new 35mm f/2 lens appears to be a replacement for the existing 35mm f/2 which suffered from mediocre image quality though the price was excellent at around $300. This new lens adds Canon's new hybrid IS system and should offer greatly increased sharpness and overall quality though at a significantly higher price. The new price point for the 35mm of $849.99 is dangerously close to the 35mm f/1.4L and lacks the quality, weather sealing, and wide aperture of the L lens.  It also places the lens at a much higher price than consumers are used to paying for a non-L lens. All this for the ability to add image stabilization to a 35mm prime lens which would be limited in use to most photographers. If you are a video shooter, the addition of IS may be a worthwhile improvement, however, with the availability of f/2.8 zoom lenses with stabilization for a similar price, it may be a tough pill to swallow. 

Either way, these are bound to be some amazing new lenses from Canon.

Press:

Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS & EF 35 f/2 IS
London, UK, 6 November 2012 – Canon today adds to its world-famous EF lens series with the launch of two models designed for enthusiasts and professionals – the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM and EF 35mm f/2 IS USM. Offering first-class optical technologies alongside highly compact designs, the new lenses are perfect for a range of creative purposes, including reportage, landscape, portrait, and travel photography.

Ideal for use alongside DSLRs like the new EOS 6D, both new lenses utilise the latest Canon technologies to consistently deliver superb results. Both include aspherical lenses and Super Spectra Coatings optimised for each individual element, Canon’s industry-leading Image Stabilizer (IS) technology and Ultrasonic Motors for superfast

Auto Focus (AF) – providing outstanding optical performance. The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is also the latest lens to feature Hybrid IS, delivering shakefree shots at any distance, including at macro focal lengths.

EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM – high performance, high flexibility, Hybrid IS
The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is the latest addition to Canon’s elite L-series, and expands the range of standard zoom EF lenses available for both professional and amateur photographers. Ideal for reportage and wedding photography, it combines an essential everyday focal range with a premium quality L-series construction, delivering consistently sharp, professional-quality stills in a range of different situations. A new macro function also optimises the placement of lens groups during macro photography, allowing shooting at a maximum magnification of 0.7x – reducing the need for photographers to carry a dedicated macro lens.

Its first-class optical system includes two aspherical elements alongside two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lenses, each with optimised Super Spectra Coatings to minimise chromatic aberration, colour blurring and flare. A constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range provides photographers with exceptional creative control, allowing blurring of the background of a scene at all focal lengths. A nine-blade circular iris also assists photographers in making their subjects stand out, delivering beautiful out of focus highlights (bokeh) in the background blur to add atmosphere to a shot.

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM also features a newly designed IS system, delivering blur-free images throughout the zoom range. Canon’s advanced optical IS offers a 4-stop light advantage, while Hybrid IS effectively compensates for angular and shift shake during macro shooting for stable close ups.

Superfast AF performance is provided by a small, ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM). Working in combination with a high-performance CPU and advanced AF algorithms, USM technology enables accurate, silent and ultra-responsive autofocusing. Full-time manual focusing also ensures adjustments can be made even when AF is engaged.

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM features a high grade, usability-focused design – both inside and out. The exterior features a high quality leather-texture coating, a revised shape ensures ease-of-use, and the focusing and zoom rings have been designed for optimal operation. Additionally, a dust and drip-proof construction is resistant to dust and moisture, a lock function protects lenses from knocks when travelling, while fluorine coating minimises the amount of dust, dirt and fingerprints that adhere to the front and rear lenses – helping to maintain superior image quality and reduce the need for cleaning.

EF 35mm f/2 IS USM – take a wider look at the world
The new EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is designed to offer outstanding flexibility – allowing photographers to capture an even broader range of scenes and subjects in wide-angle. The lens is Canon’s first-ever 35mm prime to feature optical Image Stabilizer technology, which combines with high quality optics to offer outstanding performance from a lightweight, compact body. The 35mm focal length also provides the ability to capture everything from close-up portraits to wide-angle landscapes, making it an ideal companion for travel or general reportage photography.

Its advanced specification offers photographers great flexibility to shoot a wider-range of scenes and subjects. A bright, fixed f/2 aperture also allows photographers to employ a shallow depth of field, and optical IS offers users a 4-stop light advantage, allowing the capture of blur-free images in low light conditions when shooting handheld. Intelligent detection of panning motion is also supported, with Panning IS mode automatically engaged to enable photographers to capture movement with greater accuracy.

Designed to deliver exceptional image quality, the EF 35mm f/2 IS USM features an aspherical glass-moulded (GMo) element positioned at the rear of the optical path to correct aberration for the entire optical system. Additionally, each individual element features optimised Super Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare – ensuring excellent colour balance with minimal need for post processing. A combination of a ring-type USM and high performance CPU also provides rapid AF performance, with full-time manual focus also available for users who want to retain maximum control.