Canon EF 70-200 F4 IS II?

[awinphoto]

When will we see a Canon EF 70-200 F4 IS II?
Given the current IS version of the lens is coming up on 10 year mark.

Around the lauch of the 5DS there was a comment that only L lenses released since 2010 are designed to the required sharpness of the higher resolution. That puts the 70-200/4 L IS on the list of lenses due for replacement. However, it may be some way down the list. I'm hoping that the primes come first

That thread was pure speculation by people who dont work for canon. While some lenses are clear examples, such as the 16-35 f4 vs 17-40 f4, and 24-70 f2.8 II and f4, etc... this particular lenses really doesn't apply. Up until a few years ago, this was the sharpest lens of the 4 70-200's and arguably the top or among the top of Canon's lineup, not to mention a great seller... so in other words, dont hold your breath about a replacement.

 

[drmikeinpdx]

I bought a copy about a month ago using the Street Price option at CanonPriceWatch.com so I got it for slightly under $1000 US.

My plan is to use it for concerts, but I haven't had a chance to do that yet. I considered the 2.8, but since you have to stand still and hold up your rig (body and lens) for a long time, the extra weight was not going to work for me.

So far I've used it to do some scenic photos and some shots of a friend riding her Ducati on a winding road.

The scenic shots were interesting. I parked my motorcycle at a viewpoint with the city of Portland skyline in the very distant background. I thought at F8 I would have enough DOF to get both in focus at 200 mm. Unfortunately not. At that moment I was really glad I hadn't purchased the 2.8 version.

The moving motorcycle photos showed me that I have a lot to learn about tracking moving targets with the 5D3 autofocus system.

I think I'm going to use this lens a lot, but it will take time to learn its quirks.

 

[monkey44]

Quote:: "The moving motorcycle photos showed me that I have a lot to learn about tracking moving targets with the 5D3 auto-focus system.

I think I'm going to use this lens a lot, but it will take time to learn its quirks."

But once you do, it will give you a lot of joy! A really fine example of how a product should perform.

 

[Daniel 78d]

It might be a worn out topic but the 70-200mm f/4l is, is missing from the U.S. product page along with the 50mm 1.2l. Could be nothing but I'd trout I'd throw it in there anyway.

 

[siegsAR]

BR on the Mk2, that should be interesting.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

When will we see a Canon EF 70-200 F4 IS II?
Given the current IS version of the lens is coming up on 10 year mark.

There are many more telephotos that are older than this one and offer lesser IQ. This is a well-valued lens.

 

[hubie]

I am looking forward on buying a 70-200 f 2.8 or 4.0 (huge price difference though and I am doing my thesis so not too much money - but I am a nerd ) and therefore looked up some rumors. What needs improvement is the lens cap or is it already the newer model of canon?

 

[nc0b]

I have both the f/2.8 IS II and the f/4 IS. It just depends on what I am shooting which one I pick. Indoor dance, the f/2.8. On trips overseas, I take the f/4 due to size & weight. Both take the 1.4X III quite well, though I seldom use it with the f/2.8 since I have the 300mm f/4 IS and 400mm f/5.6. Any of these have enough IQ if one wanted to use them on the 5DS. If one needs 50 mp resolution, which I don't, Lens Rentals showed any lens can benefit, so don't worry about waiting for a version II of the 70-200 f/4. Agree the IS is noisy on the f/4, but I don't shoot video so I don't think anyone hears it except the photographer.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

When will we see a Canon EF 70-200 F4 IS II?
Given the current IS version of the lens is coming up on 10 year mark.

Around the lauch of the 5DS there was a comment that only L lenses released since 2010 are designed to the required sharpness of the higher resolution. That puts the 70-200/4 L IS on the list of lenses due for replacement. However, it may be some way down the list. I'm hoping that the primes come first

From pure optical performance, there is little between the 70-200 f4 LIS and the 70-200 f2.8 LIS II. In fact, I'd wager that there is more difference between photographer performance than there is between these two lenses.
Optically, they are both sharp and contrasty. Even their paper specs are simular...same MFD, same max mag, same IS capability too. While the f2.8 LIS II is a newer design and has newer coatings, there is little else between them with wide open shaprness.

 

[noms78]

Anyone who is a regular reader of lens rentals blog may remember that Roger Cicala said the the 70-200 F4/L IS is one of the zoom lenses which often "goes bad" or requires realignment of optical/focus elements to keep it functioning at optimal resolution etc.

My guess is they are working on a replacement to the f4 zoom. It will have comparable (slighly better?) optical performance but perhaps the biggest benefit will be increased robustness and much improved sanple variation?

I personally own the f4 is zoom and am very careful not to bump the lens in case an element goes out of alignment. My 2c...

 

[GMCPhotographics]

That lens is by far the best lens that you can buy for the canon system. I wouldn't want to trade it for anything, not even for a version II. I can't think of anything I would want this lens to do better.

When it was launched, it was widely regarded as one of the sharpest and finest zooms ever made. There isn't much which can be added to that. Considering it already has a relatively close MFD, 4 stop IS unit and a fast AF system. It's weather sealed too. I think the only area of possible improvement are it's coatings.

 

[cpsico]

The version one is near perfect, color, contrast, focusing are all flawless. The only limit is very dark conditions make focusing slow or impossible. There is no replacement for a 2.8 or faster lens for those conditions. With that being said it is still an awesome lens that makes beautiful portraits

 

[Daan Stam]

i am planning on buying a 70-200 i am wondering if i should wait and if it is realy around the corner can you tell me more?

 

[PhotographyFirst]

I wonder how many 70-200 F4 L IS lenses Canon has had to fix due to the focus slipping issue that can arise after the lenses have been left in hot temperatures? They also had some production issues with some copies not able to focus to infinity at certain focal lengths, along with a few decentered copies. I've gone through a few copies of this lens over the years and have seen all of the issues in the ones I returned.

I could see Canon releasing a update with the production issues fixed, a little lighter, better flare control, and maybe a little bit quieter IS.

If you get a good copy today, it's still one of the best zoom lenses money can buy. though.
I've always been blown away with the image quality of a good copy.