Canon EF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens could be announced in 2014

Canon EF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens has been patented in Japan for full frame DSLR cameras and could be released on the market by the end of 2014.

We have heard through the grapevine that 2014 will be the year of the lens for Canon. For the time being, it does not look like Canon will meet the expectations because not a single lens has been released during the first month of 2014.

The good thing is that the year is pretty long, therefore there is enough time for the Japan-based company to live it up to the hype. So far, we have seen numerous lenses patented in Japan, such as 85mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2, 135mm f/2.8, and the 18-40mm f/3.5-5.6, the latter aimed at EOS M mirrorless cameras.

There is plenty of room for even more patents and this is exactly what Canon is doing at the moment. The company has patented yet another optic in its home country, which has been designed for photographers with a 35mm full frame DSLR camera.

New lens patent spotted in Japan: Canon EF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens

Canon EF 70-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS lens has been patented in Japan. It could be launched by the end of 2014 to replace the current 100-400mm model.

Canon EF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens measures 240mm in length and will provide a zoom of 5.45x, as its on-paper focal range begins at 71.33mm and ends at 388.95mm, respectively.

This is a brand new design with multiple elements divided in 6 groups. The new optical formula is very different from the one present in the current model: the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS.

The company has decided to extend the focal range  of this lens, so that it provides a wider angle for full frame cameras. As expected, the image stabilization technology will remain there, as it is a must-have feature when it comes to telephoto lenses.

Canon EF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens might replace the 100-400mm version in 2014

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens is still available at Amazon, albeit the stock levels are pretty low. At the time of writing this article, the retailer was selling one of its remaining 18 units for around $1,500.

Amazon says that more units are on their way, but when stocks get low it is usually a sign that a replacement is actually on the way. We have heard some rumors about a replacement for the 100-400mm lens, so it would not be a surprise if the new model comes on the market this year.

The 100-400mm model for EF DSLRs is one of well-reviewed lenses at Amazon, thanks to a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating, so Canon will have to do a lot of work to make sure that users will choose to replace their high-quality lens with this model.