The price is extreme, regardless of the results. I am wanting the 70-200 2.8 mk ii or I could sell my 24-70 mk i and put that money towards the mk ii version...but why? I have loved my 1st version since the day I bought it! On the 5D mark iii, is the first version of the 24-70 not enough? Yes, the new version is sharper and all around the better lens, but again, is version one simply being wrote off? I believe it delivers. I think I will wait for a price drop before upgrading. Here is a 24-70mm 2.8 mk i example using a polarizer filter and HDR mode on the 5D mark iii. Please note, I am posting this from a snapshot of the original using my cellphone.