EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS I vs II price comparison

[Captis]

I've been fairly happy with my EF-S 55-250mm STM lens and find that it is my most used lense for landscape and wildlife photography when hiking. For that reason I have considered upgrading to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS II but price difference for the original version of the f/4 IS has me really questioning which to get.

When looking at both used version in similar condition the original f/4 IS is going for around $550-575 but used version of the newer f/4 L IS II is going for $950-1100. Is the upgraded version worth an extra $400-500 or is there potentially another lense I should be considering?

Any advice would be appreciate as I don't see myself making the jump to mirrorless any time soon.

 

[J A C S]

I have owned the IS (version I) more or less since it was released. Many years later, it works as on day one. It is a great lens. You can compare it to the II on the-digital-picture.com. They are essentially the same.

There have been reports of this lens having trouble to focus in vertical up or down positions. I never experienced this.

 

[Sittatunga]

I've been fairly happy with my EF-S 55-250mm STM lens and find that it is my most used lense for landscape and wildlife photography when hiking. For that reason I have considered upgrading to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS II but price difference for the original version of the f/4 IS has me really questioning which to get.

When looking at both used version in similar condition the original f/4 IS is going for around $550-575 but used version of the newer f/4 L IS II is going for $950-1100. Is the upgraded version worth an extra $400-500 or is there potentially another lense I should be considering?

Any advice would be appreciate as I don't see myself making the jump to mirrorless any time soon.

The biggest difference between the performance of the two lenses is that the IS of the mark II is rated two stops better than that of the original. The original was introduced in 2006, new spare parts should still be available for the next three years. The mark II came out in 2018, so the chances are that a second-hand one will be a lot newer than an original model. That's why one is twice the price of the other. The relative value to you depends on how much you value the better IS of the newer lens.

 

[Nick5]

I've been fairly happy with my EF-S 55-250mm STM lens and find that it is my most used lense for landscape and wildlife photography when hiking. For that reason I have considered upgrading to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS II but price difference for the original version of the f/4 IS has me really questioning which to get.

When looking at both used version in similar condition the original f/4 IS is going for around $550-575 but used version of the newer f/4 L IS II is going for $950-1100. Is the upgraded version worth an extra $400-500 or is there potentially another lense I should be considering?

Any advice would be appreciate as I don't see myself making the jump to mirrorless any time soon.

First off, what Camera Body are you using?

 

[Captis]

First off, what Camera Body are you using?

I have an 80D.

Thank you everyone for the feedback so far too.

 

[Nick5]

Captis.
I have both lenses you are referring to.
for the price differential of the used 70-200 f/4 L IS Mark II, I would buy lens Brand new for a couple hundred more. Thats me.
now comparing the two lenses the Version 1 vs Mark II, there are differences in terms of color, contrast and sharpness. You must really look for it though side by side. The Version 1 was a Home Run when introduced back some 15 years ago. It’s that good. I still have it as it’s a wonderful lens. If the dollars are there, buy the Mark II. If not there consider the old reliable Version 1.

Both lenses are with me today.

 

[BlueRay2]

i have heard from many owners that you can't tell difference between the 2 as far as IQ is concerned, but as noted, the only difference is the IS (2 stop v. 4), even that is not too noticeable. i had the mk1 for 5 years and it was one of my favorite lens. that one Fluorite element in this lens makes it produce eye-popping images. unfortunately i lost my mk1 lens and then i replaced it with my canon 100-400 mk2 and never looked back. although i still get the urge to get a copy of 70-200 f4 IS but i will be looking if i'll run into a good deal, someday.

good luck.

 

[J A C S]

i have heard from many owners that you can't tell difference between the 2 as far as IQ is concerned, but as noted, the only difference is the IS (2 stop v. 4), even that is not too noticeable.

When the (original, v. I) version was released, its IS was marketed as "up to 4 stops". A popular magazine several years later (that was the time when people were still buying magazines) tested several dozens of lenses from Canon, Nikon and maybe Sigma, and ranked this lens' IS at the top, close to 4 stops, in actual testing. This has been my experience, too.

 

[BlueRay2]

i have heard from many owners that you can't tell difference between the 2 as far as IQ is concerned, but as noted, the only difference is the IS (2 stop v. 4), even that is not too noticeable.

When the (original, v. I) version was released, its IS was marketed as "up to 4 stops". A popular magazine several years later (that was the time when people were still buying magazines) tested several dozens of lenses from Canon, Nikon and maybe Sigma, and ranked this lens' IS at the top, close to 4 stops, in actual testing. This has been my experience, too.

thanks for the info, J A C S. i think i was confused with canon 24-105 v1/v2

 

[Roooland]

I’d recommend getting the Mk I over the Mk II, especially if you’re gonna use it on an ASP-C. It really is a bargain and the difference in sharpness and IS isn’t worth the extra cash IMO.

 

[neilt3]

I’d recommend getting the Mk I over the Mk II, especially if you’re gonna use it on an ASP-C. It really is a bargain and the difference in sharpness and IS isn’t worth the extra cash IMO.

S0 which version have you got that your having problems with in this thread ? :-O

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4632854

 

[Roooland]

Oh it’s Mk I, just dont get MY lens

 

[neilt3]

Oh it’s Mk I, just dont get MY lens

So how do you know the mkI is a better choice than the mkII ?

What if yours is as good as it gets ? :-D

I have the mk I , and I'm happy with it , Canon EOS 5d & 60d and Sony a7R iv ,

Plus film SLRs .