Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L Non-IS to Be Discontinued in 2013 [CR2]

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<strong>Time’s up


</strong>The Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L non-IS is set to be discontinued officially some time in 2013. As much as I think there is still a market for this lens with sports & wedding photographers with pro bodies with great high ISO performance, there’s no information saying Canon will do a version II of this lens.</p>
<p>In case you were wondering, the EF 70-200 f/4L is remaining current with no plans for a discontinuation.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/91680-USA/Canon_2569A004_70_200mm_f_2_8L_USM_Autofocus.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank"><strong>Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L non-IS at B&H $1299</strong></p>
<p></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>
 
so, what's the market's track record for pricing on end of life L lenses? This one has always been on my radar (to replace the f/4 model) but 1300 is too close to Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC. If it drops before the big adios I might go for it.
 
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JurijTurnsek said:
canon is seriously blowing it. their lens choices really boggle me? I'd be willing to bet this lens was a very good seller
If it was a good seller they'd keep producing it...seeing as they already have all the infrastructure. in place to make it and it costs them nothing in R&D, etc to keep it going. My guess is that with a bunch of new super tele's ramping up, a new 24-70 to make, a bunch of new IS primes, etc, they need the production space from a lens that wasn't moving units. And discounting it by a few hundred bucks to move a bunch cuts margins too tight.

For someone who needs f/2.8, they may well just get the 85mm f/1.8, the 135L or the 200 f/2.8 (or a collection of those). Or just go with the pricier IS version if its their work. For anyone who doesn't need f/2.8, there's no reason to buy this lens over the f/4L IS, as that is cheaper, lighter, smaller filters...the list goes on.

It never really made sense to have 4 versions of the 70-200; I think the only reason the non-IS f/4 version is staying is because its cheap enough to sell well.
 
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I guarantee canon will give the 70-200 f4 is the 24-70 f4 is treatment, shorter, smaller, and perhaps even sharper than the 2.8 is ii, just a thought.
I really think canon was smart with discontinuing it, I loved it, but the justification between this and the is ii, was the sharpness, and if someone didn't want to pay for the is ii, they'd be happy with the tamron or sigma.

R.I.P.
Canon 70-200 f2.8
 
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@Preppyak
there's no reason to buy this lens over the f/4L IS, as that is cheaper, lighter, smaller filters...the list goes on.

The f4 is a stop slower at max aperture.

Thats a stop faster shutter with the f2.8, IS cannot do much about subject motion.

That's a stop lower ISO with the f2.8, IS cannot do much about image noise.

Thats shallower depth of field (if thats your thing) with the f2.8

Thats more versatility.

But most of all and best of all... with every EOS DSLR the AF has improved performance with f2.8 or faster lenses.

I don't want to slate the f4 IS as I gather if you shoot focus charts it's marginally sharper. But contrary to your assertion, there are a few reasons to buy the f2.8 over the f4 IS, that make sense to some users.

It's a broad church and I'm not saying you are wrong, just that your reasons aren't right for me.
 
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paul13walnut5 said:
It's a broad church and I'm not saying you are wrong, just that your reasons aren't right for me.
Fair enough, "need" was too strong, since there are a few reasons to go with the non-IS f/2.8. But, I would imagine it's a pretty limited user base, since we're only talking 1 stop of light, and the weight and size difference is pretty massive.

Which is more my point about it being niche and discontinued. Casual users who don't have a specific need for f/2.8 are going the f/4 route for size, weight and price reasons. Pros who need f/2.8 are probably justifying getting the IS II, because its the best there is. Leaves a small group left
 
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preppyak said:
It never really made sense to have 4 versions of the 70-200; I think the only reason the non-IS f/4 version is staying is because its cheap enough to sell well.

Agreed.

If anything this may lead to the demise of the f4 non IS and then reduction in price for the IS version.
But from recent pricing i cant see that happening.
 
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Do you think the used market price for this lens will drop a bit more sooner than later or will the price remain the same for some time? I was just about to pull the trigger on one 70-200 f2.8L and the used market seems to be hovering around the 930-1050 ish price point right now.
 
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scrup said:
The lens is not cheap and most prefer the IS version.

Maybe a new version will be released at a higher price.

You know, when I read this...my first thought was...why do they even have this anyway?

I just got a new 70-200 f/2.2 IS L.....I was looking at these various version of them. I've pretty much resigned myself t not buy ANY more lenses that are slower than 2.8...so, that left out the f/4 one.

Then, I was just trying to figure why I'd want the non-IS when the IS is available? That makes it the most flexible of them all, right? I can shoot fast as the situation warrants, but then I also have IS to help later..maybe shooting a concert, or a wedding or something...?
 
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There is a market for this lens - people like me. When the autofocus failed this summer on my Sigma 100-300 f4 and two repair places and Sigma all said it is too old to fix, I had to go for the Canon 70-200 2.8 as replacement. No way I could afford the IS version, so I got this one (which I really could not afford either, but I need it). I need the 2.8 for the shallower depth of field (often I combine with 1.4 extender which puts me back at f4). After my experience with Sigma, I would not feel comfortable replacing it with an aftermarket lens. But if this lens were not available, that would be my only choice. So Canon will lose a few sales to people like me, but I guess there are not enough of us to worry about.

As for used lens prices going down, I think not. Even the old original (black) 80-200 2.8 sells for 800 bucks, and that has the slow AFD autofocus and does not take extenders. These lenses hold their value and the discontinuation of the new option will make used versions even more sought after.
 
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