Canon has today bolstered its professional L-series lens range with the addition of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.

The revamped telephoto lens is claimed to include an improved internal optical system and, according to Canon, has been built to be more robust, following customer feedback.

The 23-element-in-19-groups zoom includes five ultra-low dispersion elements and ‘reduced chromatic aberration’.

The minimum focusing distance has been cut to 1.2m and magnification increased to 0.21x.

External design changes include improvement to the rubber focusing grip which has been made wider, with finely-patterned grooves that make it easier to manually focus, claims Canon.

The new lens is due out in the UK at the end of February priced £2,799.99 and expected to be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which takes place in Las Vegas, United States this week.

New Canon 70-200mm f/2.8LRead the editor’s CES blog here