The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM III Has Been Discontinued

[DocInfoSci]

I recommend you to upgrade to an EF 70-200mm f/4.0 IS version, if you can get a good used copy. It is much sharper than the non IS version. Same story like with the f/2.8 non-IS and IS versions back then. I have the f/4.0 IS version and still like it...

Thanks! Yes, I've seen that with my own eyes. I do intend to, although I've been wondering if a 2.8 makes more sense. Appreciate the input.

 

[notsure]

sold off around half of my RF zooms, mostly for lack of use or because i was unhappy with performance. never selling my 80-200. and really appreciate how the newer 70-200 Z's look very similar to it

 

[neuroanatomist]

sold off around half of my RF zooms, mostly for lack of use or because i was unhappy with performance. never selling my 80-200. and really appreciate how the newer 70-200 Z's look very similar to it

The ‘magic drainpipe’ was a good lens for its day, but that day has long passed. The EF 70-200/2.8L non-IS that succeeded it delivered better IQ, and today the IQ of the latter is surpassed even by RF consumer / non-L zooms, and more so by modern L-series zooms.

 

[notsure]

The ‘magic drainpipe’ was a good lens for its day, but that day has long passed. The EF 70-200/2.8L non-IS that succeeded it delivered better IQ, and today the IQ of the latter is surpassed even by RF consumer / non-L zooms, and more so by modern L-series zooms.

and yet i sold off the RF 70-200 2.8, which was my first upgrade for those focal ranges, and kept the drainpipe. newer lenses my have gotten better sharpness wide open and less CA, but the rendering on the drainpipe beats all other canon 70-200, for my taste at least. the 24-105 2.8z somewhat reminds me of it.

 

[neuroanatomist]

…but the rendering on the drainpipe beats all other canon 70-200, for my taste at least.

When I hear ‘rendering’ I hear Paul Simon singing about nice, bright colors and the greens of summer…complete with the crackle and pop of a vinyl record or the background hiss of a cassette tape.

But if you prefer it, keeping it is the right choice.

 

[Skux]

My first 70-200 was the compact RF version and I was blown away by the images it made. I'll never need to use a prime lens in that focal range, the zoom does everything I need.

 

[Old Man FL/FD]

When I hear ‘rendering’ I hear Paul Simon singing about nice, bright colors and the greens of summer…"mama don't take my Kodachrome away..."

 

[homebodyMacro2]

I was never really interested in the 70-200mm lenses and I couldn't quite figure out what appealed to a lot of people. The EF mkiii was still really heavy so I figured I´d just get the EF 100-400mm ii which was only 200gr heavier but had double the reach. In 2021, I ordered the RF 100-500mm and it was backordered by several months. So as a "temporary" lens (hint: I still own it ) I got the RF 70-200mm F4 L and man was I impressed! Love the range, perfect for landscapes, catches a lot of details, lightweight (this one is really is) and super flexible. After that, I gave the RF 70-200mm F2.8 and EF 70-200mm F2.8 iii both a try. I didn't like the placement of the control on the RF version and the long throw. Furthermore, it is better than the F4 but not 1.500 $ dollars better imo. The EF version is still pretty heavy (also using an adapter alongside of it) so I didn't keep it.

I am really curious about the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L Z and one day (once my kid/ kids go to school) I'll probably get one for all those events and sports. In September, I am shooting a 50th birthday party and I will borrow the lens for a couple of days. So excited about it.

Hard to go wrong with the 70-200Z! It's so good in its native range, and it's unreasonably good up to 400mm considering that a 2x extender is generally tough on image quality. I tried the original RF 70-200 f/2.8 briefly, and the zoom throw SUCKS in comparison to the Z. For fast moving wildlife, such as that dragonfly picture I shared above, that smooth zoom throw is very useful. I'm perfectly happy with a small amount of fixed length increase to have an internal zoom. If you have a want or need for it (and the budget), I highly recommend the Z.

Lovely shots! I especially like the first one!

Thanks! I recently got a Godox AD800 flash unit, which was key to getting that first shot. It's the only way to get enough light for that type of shot, and it gives that nice isolation of the subject even in daylight. I love photographing my local butterflies! That shot just won a competition on DPReview, quite happy with it.

 

[track inspector]

I had the 80-200 EF and was not happy with it.It was soft on the edges at 80mm.The first 70-200/F2:8 was a 100% better!