It was inevitable, but it looks like Canon is starting the discontinuation of EF lenses. I was told by Alex at FStoppers that the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is now unlisted or listed as discontinued at various retailers.
While it is still listed at Canon USA, the lens is no longer listed at Adorama and shown as “discontinued” at B&H Photo.
I will be watching these things closely over the next few months. I suspect a lot of the older and older higher priced lenses such as the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM are on their last legs.
Update: Canon USA has confirmed that the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM will have service support from Canon until at least December 31, 2027. If parts remain after that date, service will likely continue until that inventory is depleted.
We won't see a 500/4 Mk III either because the next rendition of that lens will be in RF mount.
Did Canon sell more than ten around the world in 2020?
All are waiting for white RF glass!
Other than the mount, what on earth are they going to improve over the EF version?
But what about all these affordable EF L lenses like 135 f2, 100 f2,8 macro, 70-200 f4 non IS? How expensive will the 135 f1,4 be?
I know most new RF lenses are better than the EF equivalent ones, but often 50% more expensive.
Sorry, but the bright RF future will be too expensive for many of us, and this in a shrinking market...
On the other hand my EF lenses are still awesome as are my 5DMIV and 7DMII bodies. They still fit my purposes enough not to have such a strong desire to change systems.
As others have noted, its a low volume lens, but not one Canon can drop altogether. Sooner or later Canon will introduce an RF 200mm f/2L
Expensive? Yes. Poor sales? It seems like I’ve seen this lens(or the 1.8) owned/carried by almost every professional (Canon)still photographer(especially sports) I’ve shot next to in the last ~2.5 decades.
Glad I didn't buy one.
Maybe the price will come down in a little while.
Well if it doesn't come down, then Canon made a mistake.
Canon will expect that and it is the optimal way of them realizing the maximum they can from the lens. Don’t forget these big whites are made in the same place on the same production line in batches. It takes time and money to switch out the tooling so if they make another batch of 200 f2’s they have to not make something else, and I’m sure they feel capacity is best used making something else.