Canon 7D mid-range DSLR, new lenses announced

The Canon 7D will be available at the end of September for $1,699, or packaged as a kit with an EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens for $1,899.

The EOS 7D features 18-megapixel resolution, shoots at up to eight frames per second and can record 24p full HD video. It touts a 19-point autofocus system and a new metering system that Canon calls iFCL (intelligent Focus, Color and Luminance). It supports UDMA CF cards, with which it can capture eight FPS continuously (up to the size of the card). ISO speed settings supported range from 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800).
Video shot with the camera is at 1920 x 1080 resolution and can be set at 24p, 25p or 30p frame rates. You can shoot in 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios, using either the integrated mono mic or an external stereo mic to pick up audio.
The camera uses an APS-C-sized CMOS sensor and is compatible with more than 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses. Other features include a new built-in “Dual Axis Electronic Level” which produces an artificial horizon over the image on the rear LCD screen in Live View or in the viewfinder using illuminated AF points to help level your shot. The pop-up flash sports a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter, to control multiple EOS Speedlites without having to use an external transmitter — helpful for studio and wedding photographers working with multiple flash setups, for example.

Via MacWorld

SLRGear has a review of the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM telephoto lens, with a verdict that says "The lens performs well, perhaps not up to the level that more recent Canon lenses have, but considering the age of its design it still works extremely well."

The Canon EF 400mm ƒ/5.6L USM was released in 1993, alongside other telephoto primes popular with wildlife and sports photographers. The 400mm ƒ/5.6 is often compared to the more recent 100-400mm ƒ/4.5-5.6L USM IS, the suggestion being that if you are always shooting at the 400mm range, it's better to go with the prime. Our review may help to shed some light on this decision.

The EF lens is compatible with both full-frame and cropped-frame Canon SLR cameras, though on the latter the lens will have an effective field of view of approximately 640mm. The lens features a built-in lens hood, and ships with a well-padded soft case. The lens retails for approximately $1,200.

Read the full review here.

Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye review at PhotoZone

The Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye is one of Canon's few remaining lenses which were initially released back in mid to late 80s with the introduction of the EOS system. Fisheye lenses are rather odd beings which go in and out of fashion every once in a while. At the moment they seem to experience a renaissance regarding the recent release and/or announcement of the new Nikkor 10.5mm (Nikon DX) and Olympus 8mm (four-thirds). Unlike these two lenses the Canon covers the full 35mm format. Traditionally fisheyes are often used for aerial-, underwater- and some kind of indoor photography but beyond that they aren't usually terribly useful ... but still fun to use. Due to the uncorrected extreme field-of-view (180 degrees) the fisheye perspective can produce some oooohs and aaahs from your audience but it shouldn't be used too often in presentations because the effect of awe-inspiring vistas fades rapidly. Besides it isn't exactly easy to achieve a good composition.
Read the full review here.

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Lens reviewed by slrlensreview

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM is currently the widest rectilinear prime lens manufactured by Canon. The EF-S 10-20mm f/3.5-4.5 USM offers an even wider angle of view, but is an EF-S lens that can be mounted only on APS-C cameras like Canon Digital Rebel series, Canon 30D and Canon 40D. The lens was first announced in August 2007 and replaces the first generation 14mm prime, which was manufactured by Canon for over a decade. The lens sells for ~US$1,900 (as of December 2008), which obviously makes it rather unaffordable for mainstream users.

Summary
Lens Composition	14 elements in 11 groups
Angular Field	114 degrees
Minimum Focus	20cm/7.9in
Focusing Action	AF/MF, USM
f-stop Scale	f/2.8-f/22, camera-controlled
Filter Size	Gel filters only
Lens Hood	Built-in, petal-shaped
Weight	645g/22.8oz
Dimensions	80x94mm/3.2x3.7"
Lens Case	LP1016 (included)

Read the full review here.