Changes to Canon lenses for digital.

[phila]

In fact I wonder when the telephotos were changed - as I thought that the front, protective optic had always been described as 'flat' in Canon literature up until now?

 "...To eliminate this phenomenon, all of Canon's large-aperture IS super-telephoto  lenses adopt a meniscus lens shaped protective glass."

[phila]

The latest Canon Technical Bulletin (2003. has some info on how EF lenses are being re/designed for use with digital rather than film bodies (scroll down past the report on the 17-40 f4L).

Has anyone seen any other info on this? One assumes that most of the EF range will be "upgraded" over time.

www.canon.com/camera-museum/tech/report/f_index.html

[phila]

I also posted this question on Rob Galbrath's forum and got this reply -

The meniscus-shaped built-in protective filters were introduced for the first time in 1999 with the IS super-telephoto lenses (EF 300/2.8L IS, EF 400/2.8L IS, EF 500/4L IS and EF 600/4L IS).  This feature was mentioned in the press release at the time, but it was not highlighted. The only other lens we've introduced since 1999 that has the same feature is the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM.  

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Chuck Westfall
Director/Technical Information Dept.
Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc.