New Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II pricing announced.

Being in the market shortly for a few equipment upgrades, I've been waiting for awhile for the new 24-70mm f/2.8L II to be released, and Canon has now come out with specs and pricing on the new version of a popular workhorse....$2300!

Twenty what? Holy crap, Canon! Step away from the crack pipe!

Just looking over the spec deltas between the old and new, what is the justification for a $1000 price hike when it seems all you did were a few tweaks? I make no claims as an optics expert, but how is adding 2 lens elements worth almost doubling the price? I mean they didn't even add Image Stabilization (IS)...  Personally, I'd have to see some drooling, glowing reviews and amazing image comparisons between the 2 before I'll even consider shelling out that kind of cash. I wonder if the new Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 Di VC USD  (the "VC" means it has image stabilization) will be a good alternative as far as image quality. We shall see...

If you're undaunted by the steep price, B&H and other online retailers are taking pre-orders, as are other brick-and-mortar camera stores, I'm sure. The new lens should be available in April.