300 2.8 IS Mk1 v Mk2

[Maiaibing]

Nothing inherently wrong with the previous version. Canon will service it for about 1-2 decades more.

Amazing statement - I'd be happy to take bets that's it not going to be serviced by JAN 1, 2024. Canon has never even come close to that kind of timeline with any previous lens.

Canon policy, don't ask me where I learnt it I have forgotten, is they service lenses for a minimum of seven years after they were listed for sale. That is all they actually commit to, so us 300 f2.8 IS MkI owners have until late 2017, after that all bets are off and parts will become scarce and even more expensive.

Would be nice. But the Canon 200mm f/1.8 IS was not serviced for 7 years after the 200mm f/2.0 IS L was realeased or even 7 years after it was taken off the sales list. In fact I think service effectively stopped just around 2008/09 - five years after production stopped.

 

[candyman]

The attached file was taken with the 300mm f2.8 IS II USM with the 2x extender, having used the old lens (as others have said) there is a noticeable difference in quality when using extenders. In good light the 300mm with the 2x is almost as good as a 500mm f4 - this is having used both simultaneously at the Leopard sighting.

Welcome to the forum.That is a wonderful introduction. Beautiful!
I see the 300 II is a marvelous lens.