Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS I vs IS II - EF version of 70-200 still relevant in 2024?

[@jaimeriveras]

After years of being away from photography, I had a first generation of these lenses laying around. On a whim, I bought a used T6 for $250, attached the lens, and started taking photos of birds in my garden. I was blown away by the quality of the images. Now I'm thinking of upgrading to a 90D. So the lens brought me back to an old passion.

[@kevc.2958]

get an r8 mate😊

[@sicr626]

@@kevc.2958 r7

[@hollyjostudios]

90d is great

[@erickventura4237]

R50. I've used the r, r5, r50, r7, 90D, and every rebel lol. If you like the features una rebel and want a cheap and capable aps-c, and for the long run an rf mount, the r50 was way better than it's price indicates. A lot of that is due to it's processor. Lots of tech in it, very fast and sharp.

[@Boohooooo]

It’s 2023 and I’m one those people that find this necessary.. the USM III is out of budget, so it’s between I or II

[@timwalker6077]

Well done what a good review. I like the fact that you give an opinion but also provide the pics for me to make my own assessment. Great that you show the dog shoot and the results.

[@midtones6855]

Thank you!

[@sethc.art.wright]

I also made a video comparing these two lenses! Just a month or so after you did! We had the same idea! And I totally agree, the version II has been so amazing. I can tell the difference at all my events now!

[@sethc.art.wright]

Gave you a sub!

[@darrengillick3367]

Bit of not picking going on here. Two amazing lenses I've used both and I find the difference between the two absolutely miniscule if there at all and to upgrade to the MKii given the price difference would make no sense at all. Enjoyed your video and the test by the way but I don't see a whole lot between the two and definitely wouldn't be considering upgrading yet.

[@iancurrie8844]

Thanks for doing this. I have the 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM, the 70-200 F4 L USM, and the 70-200 F4 L IS USM. If I were to do some kind of side by side comparison like this I might see a difference but in the real world there is no difference. It's the carpenter, not the hammer. I'm happy with all of them.

[@ratstrat1984]

Thinking of getting V1 of this lens. I am a hobbyist, so I don't think it's necessary for me to spend the extra money. I also see the opportunity to get some good gear with everyone switching to mirrorless and the new RF mount.

[@lukasf5256]

Thank you for putting in the work.

[@ColonelRuiz]

I remmember there was a comparion video of V1 vs V2 vs Tamron in Digital Rev before that channel got dismantled. Thank you for making one

[@limhanas30]

Very good and neat explanation. Thank you, I got enlightenment thanks to this content 🎉🎉

[@midtones6855]

@@limhanas30 Thank you!

[@melburus]

It’s not easy to conclude one is better than the other. Focus is not on the same spots. Check the bench behind the object at 7:27 version ii slightly focused on front.

[@midtones6855]

That might be true - it's just how the version II worked. I always put the single focus point onto the same spot.

[@giladartzie7892]

Very informative, thank you for conducting this test! How did you find the Bokeh differences between those two lenses?

[@midtones6855]

Thanks! That's very tough to say... sometimes the bokeh on the IS II seemed a little bit less busy than on the IS I... but then I noticed less busy bokeh on the IS I than on the IS II on some of my other shots... I think it's safe to say that they are VERY similar.

[@K9malinois_dog_love]

Thank you definitely the information I was looking for. I have an R6 I might just go for the version one.

[@ABRphotos]

Did you go for it? And if so are you pleased? I'm in the same position now! Hahah!

[@DNexus]

tyvm this is the video that I just need. going to get v1 today!

[@crazcameraman]

Thank you for this test! I would love to see the flare control difference!

[@midtones6855]

The flare controlling is very much the same as far as I checked so you can just look on a video where someone shows that :) The real difference is between these two versions and the third version since it has a different coating on the last element.

[@thenexthobby]

Flare control is a big improvement with version III.

[@MrMax2299]

super helpful review!

[@doorsx111x]

Great video. Ice for the mark 1. I don't think it's worth upgrading to the 2. Now question is how much of a difference from 1 to 3 for the right price on a 3.. I'll skip RF for now as too insanely expensive.

[@chrischadwick1]

Thanks for the comparison. Is there any difference between how audible the autofocus sounds are between v2 and v1 when you use the lens for video? Thanks

[@midtones6855]

I would probably say there is absolutely zero difference. I focused on many things that I could actually spot any difference on and the focus sound didn't occur to me since it's the same. I would describe the focus sound as a sort of a muffled sound of a paper box being dragged on a wooden floor. :D That's the best way how to describe the sound I think. It is reeealy smooth though and reeealy quick so you could only notice it when focusing from ''macro'' to infinity really.

[@chrischadwick1]

@@midtones6855 great thank you. I bought V2 in the end 😁

[@paigeofstylez]

Thank you for doing this for us in 2024 🙏🏿🙏🏿❤️💪🏿

[@PerlStyle]

I am about to buy one of them V1 or V2. But i will be using an M50 mark 2. Do you think with the adapter it will make a big difference if i have the v2 over the V1?

[@midtones6855]

Well I'm not sure about using it with an M50 since I haven't tried that but my guess is that it wouldn't really make any difference having V1 or V2 with the adapter.

[@erik5024]

How is there no comparisons with these? I have a version 1 that I used with a 6D for cross country, football and basketball, and recently got a 1Dx, which is a quantum leap from the 6D. I'm debating if I should consider upgrading to the version II or even III 70-200. My go-to lens right now (basketball) is my new 24-70mm 2.8/ii, but outdoor track season is approaching, and I'll need the reach of the 70-200mm. For me, the difference in image quality at f/2.8 doesn't seem to justify the cost, but I'm more concerned about how quickly and accurately it can focus on moving subjects.

[@midtones6855]

I believe that there's a big leap coming from a 6D to a 1Dx but I don't really believe there's a difference in the AF speed and accuracy between the IS I and IS II... I also had a 7D Mk II (that thing is an absolute AF beast) and I saw the completely same ''hitrate'' comparing the two lenses when capturing some sports - basically it was pretty much the same as in this test (except the hitrate was around 90%)... what I'm saying is that both versions (I and II) are beast of lenses that focus REALLY fast and accurate. Therefore I have to agree with you that the version II doesn't really seem to justify the cost if you're already happy with IS I's image quality.

[@Slag362]

Version 1 of the f2.8 (non IS ) on DXOMark produces 14PMpix whereas Version 2 f2.8 IS produces 17PMix. Both are on a 1Dx body. Put the V2 on a 1Dxii and it gives 19PMix! Version 2 is just brilliant.

[@jesusgutierreztejada5239]

hi, good video, 70-200 l is usm woking t5i?

[@midtones6855]

Thank you! Yes, the mount for a crop is the same as the mount for full frame :)

[@princedeno9755]

hi im using eos r should i buy ii or i

[@midtones6855]

@@princedeno9755 I also have experience with adapting these two to Canon R6 (MkI) and I didn't notice any other difference than having it on the 6DMkII...💁🏻‍♂️

[@carnal032]

Amazing vlog and i love loved your videos , thank you for sharing more knowledge about lens , canon user too, i wish i could have like that.😢 I love zoom lens shooting festival

[@midtones6855]

Look around for used version 1 for some time and I'm sure you will find a good deal!🤞

[@carnal032]

@@midtones6855 too expensive here in my country even though in market. And I can't afford it , I really like 70-200 f2.8 😔

[@graemefryer6227]

Great review and makes perfect sense. I think if you don't have a 2.8 70-200 then prob worth getting the vii but little point upgrading from v I.

[@midtones6855]

Thank you! It really comes down to the pricing of either... sometimes you can find a very good deal on vII.

[@cjpreyes]

Thanks for sharing!

[@薛之谦-x4c]

i would really like to buy a Canon 720 to adapt on a Panasonic s5 mark ii body. But all the test are based on is ii lens, I do not know if the 720 gen1 ( without is) would work the same, if that works fine, i think i would only keep the s5m2 and sell the sonys.

[@midtones6855]

I also had the gen1 without IS before and the results were basically the same compared to the IS I (if the shutter was fast enough to eliminate motion blur caused by shake). I have no idea about adapting it to the new S5 tho.

[@薛之谦-x4c]

@@midtones6855 Thanks for such a quick reply. gen1 720 is too old to get attention from the video producers, I guess I have to buy it and figure it out by my own, thankfully it should not cost too much.

[@dandadan5162]

Thanks!

[@hugocheng55]

Thanks mate

[@yaroslavmegov6504]

Also u cant use optical converter 1,4 and 2 versions wits gen 1 lens

[@GerhardBothaWFF]

Of course you can

[@limhanas30]

Very slight difference for almost 2x the price

[@tangobase7]

Thanks for this video. I am upgrading from a Canon 70 to my first full frame Canon R6 mark ii. I am an enthusiast photographer (hobby), which of the 2 lens do you recommend or suggest, canon ef 70-200 f2.8 is usm or canon ef 70-200 f2.8 is ii usm please?

[@midtones6855]

Hi! Since there's a pretty significant price difference between the two version I would just go for the IS I (you would see basically zero difference if you just shoot as a hobby in the version II).

[@doorsx111x]

Personally I think you're doing it backwards. You should go with the better glass than body. Example R61 + 70-200 3 > R62 + either first version lens IMO

[@GerhardBothaWFF]

Your sharpness comparison is a bit iffy going away from the centre. The two lenses appear to have different focal planes. Dont know is it is due to camera orientation or focusing or lens characteristics..

[@uDubRiceBoy]

Bro, the book, roses and tree are not in the same depth of field / focus plain. You can't expect the rose and tree to be "sharp" when you are not in focus😢

[@midtones6855]

Hi, the roses and the tree are there for a comparison of bokeh, obviously not for a sharpness check 👌🏻

[@marksphotoperry356]

Guess what ! You do not need 70-200 F2.8 IS or 70-200 F2.8 IS ll INSTEAD ALL YOU NEED 70-200 F2.8 NON IS ! Way sharper Way lighter and cheaper !!! I use it for last 10 years professionally.

[@ChadOverfield]

Thanks for the video however the audio was horrible almost un listenable with headphones

[@midtones6855]

Thanks for the feedback! Will try to make it better next time :)