Canon has updated two of its premium L-series lenses - the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM, designed for nature, wildlife and sports photographers. "Each features a completely redesigned optical system and the latest iteration of Canon’s original Image Stabilizer technology," says the imaging company.

The two lenses features a magnesium allow construction and titanium components, while offering, respectively, a 15% and 8% weight reduction over their predecessors. They both use 16 elements in 12 groups and features "high performance fluorite lens elements that correct chromatic aberration to deliver high resolution and high contrast shots of the best possible quality," says Canon.

The lenses' front and rear elements also use fluorine coating to repel dust, dirt and water "keeping the front element free of water marks and smearing by ensuring water runs off the lens quickly," according to Canon.

The new Image Stabilizer system gives photographers a four-stop advantage for "greater image quality during handheld shooting. The lenses also features a fast and quiet autofocusing system and a new high-speed CPU, all in a new design layout.

Both lenses will be available in December, with the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM priced at £7500 and the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM available at £11,500.

Canon has also unveiled what it claims to be the "first fisheye zoom lens offering both circular and full-frame images." The EF 8-15mm f/4 Fisheye USM, when paired with Canon's full frame digital SLRs, offers photographers a choice between the two image formats. However, when coupled with a APS-C or APS-H sensors, the lens only offers full-frame fisheye images.

The lens uses 14 elements in 11 groups, including one aspherical and one Ultra-Low Dispersion element to correct chromatic aberration, says Canon. It also features a Super Spectra Coating to prevent ghosting and flares, as well as a Fluorine Coating to repel water, dust and firt from the front and rear lens elements.

The EF 8-15mm f/4 Fisheye USM will be available from January 2011 at a retail price of £1500.

To complete Canon's series of new launches, the firm has also announced the release of the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, which it says, has been "designed to answer growing demand for a high performance zoom lens which offers outstanding mobility and versatility."

It features two ultra-low dispersion element, a floating lens group, Super Spectra coatings, as well as a ring-type USM AF motor and offers a minimum focusing distance of 1.2m. The lens will be available from October at a retail price of £1600.

For more information, visit www.canon.co.uk.