Let me start with a absolutely geek post by R. Cicala and lensrentals team. They teared down three lenses, among them the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 Mark II (price & specs) (the other two are Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 AF-S and the Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 VC (price & specs)). Tear down in the sense they opened the lenses and had a look deep inside. A pretty technical post that will appeal to the engineers among us. Lots of images of the various steps. Check it out!

The Digital Picture had a look at the image quality of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM (price & specs). ISO 12233 resolution chart, distortion and vignetting test results are available. Excerpt:

The 24-105 L delivers a sharper image at 50mm f/4. Sharpness improvement at 70mm brings the 24-70 f/4 L IS back up to near equality with the 24-105 L. These two lenses perform more similarly at f/5.6 and at f/8, results from these two lenses are nearly comparable. Again, the results are similar at f/11.

Leaningcameras reviewed the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4 IS. In the conclusion they write:

The end result is that this is a great f/4 lens. It has stabilization which works extremely well, it is sharp, produces notably good results overall, and has the macro bonus.

The same guys also compared the Canon 24-70mm f/4 IS to the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (price & specs), and talk about their findings in the following video:

They also made a video comparing the Canon 24-70mm f/4 IS to the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC:

Another comparison between the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS comes from Ketan Gajria’s blog. Samples and crops provided.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 VC price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

 

It has been anticipated, now it is official. Canon started their first experience store in Calgary, Canada. It is called “Image Square”:

Visit us at Image Square: The Canon Experience Centre. At Canon Image Square, you can explore and interact with Canon’s line of consumer and office equipment. Experience our PowerShot digital cameras; the EOS lineup of digital SLR cameras; a wide selection of lenses & accessories; VIXIA HD camcorders; PIXMA inkjet printers; imageRUNNER ADVANCE lineup of office equipment; imagePRESS solutions for production printing and our software applications in an innovative and dynamic environment unlike anywhere else.

The press release:

Canon Canada Opens ‘Image Square,’ the Canon Experience Centre in Calgary, Alberta

First centre of its kind showcases the best of Canon photography and print imaging technology in a hands-on, experiential environment

CALGARY, Alberta, January 15, 2013 – Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions celebrating its 40th Anniversary, today announced the opening of Image Square, the Canon Experience Centre – a unique destination where visitors can interact with the latest Canon technology and benefit from the expertise of photography and business consultants.

Located at Eighth Avenue Place in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canon Image Square is a ground-breaking, innovative and technologically-advanced space specifically designed to encourage exploration and discovery. Visitors will learn how Canon products and solutions can help them capture their experiences, enhance their memories, and increase their productivity, at home, at work, and at play.

Canon Image Square is open to the public beginning today at 12:00pm.

“Canon Image Square represents a true first for Canada, and it sets the standard for how our industry interacts with customers by offering an opportunity to experience first-hand our state-of-the-art products and technology,” said Kevin Ogawa, President and CEO of Canon Canada. “We are committed to providing our customers and prospective customers with the best experience with our products, and that includes allowing them to touch and try our products before they purchase.”

As part of the Canon Image Square vision, expert staff will direct visitors to purchase through authorized local dealers or direct from Canon.

Canon Image Square features dynamic displays and demonstrations that give visitors a true look at how Canon products work. This innovative approach to the consumer experience includes:

• Expert staff dedicated to answering questions, sharing tips, and finding information for visitors.

• Full-motion thematic settings and sculptural exhibits where visitors can test point-and-shoot and digital SLR cameras, a range of lenses and accessories, and a selection of printers.

• A touch screen media wall where visitors can post and interact with their own images.

• Interactive discovery tables where visitors can select an image, learn about its features, and find directions to the related product station.

• A fully-operational showroom exhibiting a range of Canon print production devices and solutions for business needs.

• A photo studio outfitted with professional Canon digital SLR cameras, Speedlight flashes, and photo production software.

• A classroom-style learning space where expert staff will conduct seminars, projector demos, presentations, and Canon College photography classes.

• Photo gallery curated by 500px, featuring the works of Alberta-based photographers who use Canon equipment to bring remarkable images to life.

Canon Image Square occupies approximately 6,600 square feet on the ground floor of Eighth Avenue Place, a pre-certified LEED Platinum building. Canon Image Square is accessible off 8th Avenue as well as through the building’s main concourse.

For more information, visit www.canon.ca/imagesquare

[via CR]

 

• Photographer Took One Photo Every Day for Eighteen Years –> read it here
• How To Create A Wall Of Fire –> read it here
• CES 2013: Digital cameras roundup –> read it here
• Hold your breath – this is a breathaking timelapse from Dustin Farrell – Landscapes: Volume 3 –> read it here
• Steve McCurry and the Final Roll of Kodachrome Film –> read it here
• Shooting in the Twilight Zone –> read it here
• Drobo Mini 4-Bay Storage Array – Mini Review –> read it here
• SLR Lounge’s ‘Mastering HDR Photography’ Workshop Will Change Your Photography In Ways You Never Imagined –> read it here
• CES 2013 From A Photographer’s Point of View –> read it here
• CES 2013: Digital cameras roundup –> read it here
• These Are What 8×20 Kodak Portra Film Scans Looks Like –> read it here
• Faking It: Showing the Difference Between Reality and an Airbrushed Finish –> read it here
• Sky Timelapse (Canon Eos 1100D) –> read it here
• Rare Photo of Hiroshima Bombing Found in a Japanese Elementary School –> read it here

Digital Camera World made this handy chart. Want to know which Canon DSLR can used with what type of memory card? Simply have a look to the chart above. Good reference.