Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS MK1 OR Tamron 70-200 f2.8 VC

I recently upgraded camera bodies (6D) and am looking for a good 70-200 f2.8 lens.  My photography is strictly for fun, although I am shooting a wedding as a favor towards the end of the summer.  I was centering my search between the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS MK1 or the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 VC.  I've heard great things about both lenses, and I've also heard horror stories about both.

Currently, I have in my cross hairs a used Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS for $1500, while the Tamron is currently $1400 after rebates.

Please note that I am currently only looking at these two lenses.  I understand that the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS MK2 is significantly better, but at this time, its still an $800-$900 price difference that I can not afford.

Advice?  Opinions?

hman982 wrote:

I recently upgraded camera bodies (6D) and am looking for a good 70-200 f2.8 lens. My photography is strictly for fun, although I am shooting a wedding as a favor towards the end of the summer. I was centering my search between the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS MK1 or the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 VC. I've heard great things about both lenses, and I've also heard horror stories about both.

Currently, I have in my cross hairs a used Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS for $1500, while the Tamron is currently $1400 after rebates.

Please note that I am currently only looking at these two lenses. I understand that the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS MK2 is significantly better, but at this time, its still an $800-$900 price difference that I can not afford.

Advice? Opinions?

I'm a photojournalist and have used Canon's 70-200 f/2.8 IS version 1 for many years. A really great lens, though the version 2 is by all accounts better. I've never used the Tamron, but I would be shocked if you have any problems with the Canon. Horror story--huh. These are some of the finest lenses ever made.

hman982 wrote:

I recently upgraded camera bodies (6D) and am looking for a good 70-200 f2.8 lens. My photography is strictly for fun, although I am shooting a wedding as a favor towards the end of the summer. I was centering my search between the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS MK1 or the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 VC. I've heard great things about both lenses, and I've also heard horror stories about both.

Currently, I have in my cross hairs a used Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS for $1500, while the Tamron is currently $1400 after rebates.

Please note that I am currently only looking at these two lenses. I understand that the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS MK2 is significantly better, but at this time, its still an $800-$900 price difference that I can not afford.

Advice? Opinions?

I only have experience with the two Canon IS versions, and both are great. As you already pointed out, the new version is noticeably better (especially wide open sharpness and contrast around 200mm). I have heard good things about the new Tamron. Wide open sharpness is supposedly closer to the Canon II version, and AF much faster than earlier Tamron versions (which have been known to be slow). If you shoot wide open a lot, I would take a close look at the Tamron. Nevertheless, I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Canon. As it has been out of production for a number of years already, it might be difficult to get replacement parts down the line (if you plan on keeping the lens for many years).

Below are a couple of shots with the older Canon IS version wide open at 200mm (supposedly its weakest point). Still very usable IMHO! Good luck.

Thank you both for providing those pictures.  All of those pictures are great!  Does Canon's ability to service a discontinued lens worry either of you?

Thank you both for providing those pictures.  All of those pictures are great!  Does Canon's ability to service a discontinued lens worry either of you?

In a word, yes. But I've been using mine for many years and I'm considering upgrading to version 2 anyway. But it is still working great.

hman982 wrote:

Thank you both for providing those pictures. All of those pictures are great! Does Canon's ability to service a discontinued lens worry either of you?

Well, I sold my v1 when I upgraded to v2 a few years ago. If I was buying now, though, I would be somewhat concerned. As I recall, Canon stopped servicing/producing parts for the great EF 28-70 f/2.8L around six years after end of production. I have heard similar stories with other well regarded lenses. The 70-200 f/2.8LIS v1 was replaced more than 4 years ago (Jan. 2010).

Lenses can often still be serviced by independent repair shops for a long time, but it gets more complicated as time goes by.

Thank you all for your help.  I kept going back and forth yesterday on which lens to buy for my trip down Highway 1 next week.

Before pulling the trigger, I decided to look one more time on Canon's refurbished site, and to my surprise, the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS Mk 2 was back in stock.  The discount on the lens, along with the Canon promotion was way too difficult to pass up.  I figured for the insignificant price difference between the used Mk 1 and Tamron, vs the Mk 2 that I found yesterday, i pulled the trigger.

I am now the proud owner of the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS Mk2.

Congrats!  The refurbished deals on the 70-200 II's don't last long on there and are a fantastic deal!  I'm sure you will love it!

hman982 wrote:

Thank you all for your help. I kept going back and forth yesterday on which lens to buy for my trip down Highway 1 next week.

Before pulling the trigger, I decided to look one more time on Canon's refurbished site, and to my surprise, the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS Mk 2 was back in stock. The discount on the lens, along with the Canon promotion was way too difficult to pass up. I figured for the insignificant price difference between the used Mk 1 and Tamron, vs the Mk 2 that I found yesterday, i pulled the trigger.

I am now the proud owner of the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS Mk2.

Sweet--congratulations!

hman982 wrote:

Thank you all for your help. I kept going back and forth yesterday on which lens to buy for my trip down Highway 1 next week.

Before pulling the trigger, I decided to look one more time on Canon's refurbished site, and to my surprise, the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS Mk 2 was back in stock. The discount on the lens, along with the Canon promotion was way too difficult to pass up. I figured for the insignificant price difference between the used Mk 1 and Tamron, vs the Mk 2 that I found yesterday, i pulled the trigger.

I am now the proud owner of the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS Mk2.

Good choice! Enjoy

Thank you all for your help.  I kept going back and forth yesterday on which lens to buy for my trip down Highway 1 next week.

Before pulling the trigger, I decided to look one more time on Canon's refurbished site, and to my surprise, the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS Mk 2 was back in stock.  The discount on the lens, along with the Canon promotion was way too difficult to pass up.  I figured for the insignificant price difference between the used Mk 1 and Tamron, vs the Mk 2 that I found yesterday, i pulled the trigger.

I am now the proud owner of the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS Mk2.

I am jealous :). Congrats!
--
Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/94301219@N03/