Canon updates super-tele availability, tweaks pricing

Canon USA has today issued a brief statement to provide updated availability information for two super-telephoto lenses that were first announced a little over a year ago.

The Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM were both unveiled on February 7th, 2011, shortly before the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, causing widespread devastation. To make matters even worse, this was followed just a few months later by widespread flooding in Thailand. Not surprisingly, these events caused an adjustment in Canon's plans, as priorities were changed to reallocate resources where they were most needed.

Official delays for the 500mm and 600mm lenses were announced a little under four months later, right as they were originally slated to be hitting the market. Canon initially predicted December delivery for both, but come mid-November, had to announce a further delay. Now, the company has confirmed that both lenses will in fact go on sale from March 2012.

Canon's EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens. Photo provided by Canon Inc.

Although it isn't specifically noted in Canon's statement, we notice that the price of both lenses has also been increased by around 8-10%, likely an acknowledgement of the extra costs involved in recovery from the natural disasters, and the length delay they caused. (Still, if you can afford to purchase a ~$10,000+ lens, a difference of $1,000 is likely neither here nor there.)

List pricing is now set at approximately US$10,500 for the EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, and US$13,000 for the EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM.

Canon's EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens. Photo provided by Canon Inc.