End of the 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM?
March 27th, 2009 Posted in Canon Lenses
What the?
The word is out. Canon, after seeing a downturn in global sales of its venerable 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM, is soon to discontinue its production.
This is a lens that has prompted many an owner to affirm their allegiance to their precious 70-200s, despite their loved ones packing their things and vanishing in a trail of dust. After all, dust won’t stick to a Canon 70-200 L IS USM.
Read more here: Cameras Direct
This story is one of three things.
1) Some kind of satirical joke? (not very funny at the comedic level)
2) They know something that is true!
3) A great way to get some traffic to their site. (Gullible sites like ours will link to this story, ahhh drats.)
I’m not sure what it is, but you can all decide.
Thanks for the tip Rodrigo
cr
March 27th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
No way, Its a recent lens, there are many others that need an upgrade first.
I dont think this is true. I know its big and heavy bot now is not the time to upgrade this lens.
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March 27th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
The headline (and the body too, for that matter) is completely misleading. All they’re *really* predicting is that it will be replaced by a MkII. Which really wouldn’t be a shocker (the lens probably has such penetration among professionals, giving them a reason to replace it with an upgrade would likely work out very well for Canon.)
As for what they could do with it, that’s not so hard: latest IS, and maybe that schmancy nano-coating that Canon was trumpeting recently (on their new 24, I think it was?)
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Gene Reply:
March 27th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Oh, that doesn’t mean I think it’s likely, btw :)
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ms Reply:
March 27th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
yea….they could finally get the optics to at least match the non-IS version… not that its a crappy lens but it could be better…. perhaps a 2.8 IS with 4-5 stop IS, nanocoatings and an optical performance on par with the 70-200/4 IS…. of course the lens will then easily top 2K…
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March 27th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
That’s a fake, everyone is happy with that lens and all around the world it rocks as a zoom…Please Canon look on the 24-70 2.8 IS direction…
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ms Reply:
March 27th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I agree…. even though I can see them upgrading this lens, I also hope that they direct their attention to lenses that are in much greater need of an upgrade (or some new lenses, like a 24-70/2.8IS or 24-105/2.8 IS and of course a tele in the 500-600mm F5.6 range)
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March 27th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Absolute nonsense. This is a rock-solid staple of the pro photographer’s. It is superior to Nikon’s version. It is so good, I sold my 135mm f/2.0 with no regrets.
An upgrade? Yes, because it is such a workhorse they will recoup the expense in short order.
Delete it from the lineup? Never happen. Don’t tell me about clean high ISO and Gaussian Blur making f/2.8 lenses irrelevant.
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March 27th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
The only way this lens goes away is if it is replaced by a Mark II that is better. Anyone who suggests otherwise is a complete idiot.
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March 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
HAH! fat chance. There are photographers who would gladly marry this lens if it were socially acceptable.
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March 27th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I bet this lens is their most sold lens over $1000. MkII, sure. Gone, never.
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March 27th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
The only 70-200mm that I could see having a possibility of being discontinued is the f/2.8 non IS.
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March 27th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I don’t buy it being discontinued until a mark II exists. If they make the next like the current one, but with the improvements noticed in the f/4 IS version, that lens will be unstoppable. I think what they mean to say is “they’re working on a mark II prototype,” Which would make sense, Nikon’s latest lenses (14-24/2.8 and 24-70/2.8) have been stellar, and Canon is feeling the burn from that. The Nikon 70-200 is really due for on overhaul, and Canon is trying not to be far behind. That would make sense to me. Especially because Canon is renowned for their Telephoto optics, they’re not willing to let this one slip between their fingers for the upcoming generation of cameras.
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March 27th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Reading the entire article, it says a Mark II is coming, the headline is misleading.
I’ve had two IS models and one non-IS. The lens without IS was a little sharper. I believe that they can improve the lens, but at what price??
I much prefer my 70-200 f4L IS version for sharpness and contrast, but use the big one for marginal light situations.
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March 27th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
No way they would completely discontinue it, it’s too good a lens. A new version (Mark II) is quite possible, there is not much they could really improve but it would be a nice touch if they made it in 2 different color schemes – the original ostentatious one and something in classy black.
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March 27th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
How much would the improved one cost and when would it be released?
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March 27th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
not likely to be true. everyone photojournalist who shoots canon has this in their bag.
if canon likes shooting itself in the foot/head, it will discontinue this lens.
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March 27th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Just asked Canon USA and they said it is being manufactured
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cfibanez Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 3:52 am
What is being manufactured?
The new one? The old one?
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Rodrigo Gimenez Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 9:07 am
the lens of current thread is the one I asked: 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM
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March 27th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
April’s fool some days in advance…
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March 28th, 2009 at 12:28 am
the only reason to discontinue an old cash cow, is when the new upgrade is available.
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March 28th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Any speculation of when the new one will be out? BH and Amazon still have them in stock.
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March 28th, 2009 at 1:41 am
i just bought a 70-200 f2.8 L IS USM last week, crap!
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March 28th, 2009 at 3:50 am
camera direct is not the place to get any news (let alone any rumours)
they are not even affiliated with canon australia (they are a grey market seller / parallel importer).
definitely a april fool hoax!
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March 28th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I wish the MKII version weights less than 1kg and sharper. Only wish!
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Zac Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
sharper and better contrast, yes, but it will not wiegh less than 1 kilogram, since that is less than 2/3 what this lens currently weighs.
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March 28th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
silly
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March 28th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
CR6 ;)
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March 28th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
CR6?
How are you so sure?
Granted it needs an IS update but it is still such a good seller for Canon.
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Zac Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
he was using sarcasm
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March 29th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Wednesday, there may be an answer. Attention to april’s food.
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March 29th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I doubt this rumor very much. I personally know 4 guys who have purchased this lens in 2009 alone. Sort of implying that it isn’t losing it’s selling ability…
And I don’t personally know many people who shoot canon.
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don Reply:
March 30th, 2009 at 9:50 am
we;;, you’re an idiot
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April 15th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Not that I’m totally impressed, but this is a lot more than I expected when I found a link on SU telling that the info is awesome. Thanks.
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April 19th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Anyone hear the latest on this? As luck would have it I was hoping to by a 70-200mm L lens soon…now I’m not so sure.
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May 11th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Stay tuned you doubters, this is coming true, i’ll bet your house on it. ;-0
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May 12th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I wont take that beat as I am sure there is a version II coming also. I give it 2 months but at a higher price tag – DUHHH of course – but will the improvements be worth the extra money … ???
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May 12th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
bet bet bet not beat -
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July 12th, 2009 at 7:31 am
I attended a Camera & Video show out @ National Camera Exchange (in Golden Valley, MN) and the Canon Rep stated that its highly likely the Mark II version will be coming out shortly with the 4th Generation IS…he also stated to keep on Canon Europe because they will break the news first!
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August 25th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I ordered my 70-200 f2.8 IS thru Dell Inc back in the middle of July (2009) and still haven’t recieved my lens. Just got a new ETD of Sept. 10, 2009. After countless hours with customer service and management they finally spoke with their Canon sales rep and they mentioned the slow manufacturing of this lens as well as the possibility of EOL for this particular lens. Could this be because they’re manufacturing the new version. hmm…. I hope I do recieve it still tho. I got it for an incredible price.
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December 28th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Well, I plan to buy a 70-200 F2.8L IS USM next year, and it did not drop a single cent in worth.
So whatever the rumors say, i’m gonna buy one.
Or is there a proof that a Mark II is underway?
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