EF 70-200 confusion... two versions?!

[Oller Visuals]

So I bought a used EF 70-200 f4 used from a well-known store, and having owned this lens in the past I'm surprised to find that it's made out of metal and very heavy... what have I just bought?

After some testing seeing it's optical performance, it's clear that I accidently bought an old lens. I thought there was just ONE version of the 70-200 f4 L, but seems I was wrong I gather this version is from from 1999 or something like that?? It's very sharp in the middle, but hideous distortion and soft corners at 70mm and overall not as super-sharp as the "new" plastic version.

Anyway, here I thought I was an expert on EF-lenses... clearly not

 

[Jordan_S]

There are five versions of 70-200mm lenses made by Canon. f2.8, f2.8 is, f/2.8 is ii, f4, f4 is. Maybe your zoom's focal length range is different?

 

[Oller Visuals]

Well I suspect it's just the case of Canon not calling the 70-200 f4 "version II" like they do on some lenses, and just released the new (2006 onwards) without a name change.

The thing I got is made of metal and pretty bad image quality compared to the plastic thing I had last year... maybe they decided to put "II" at the end on the newer lenses for a reason

 

[Jordan_S]

Let's see some pictures of this thing.

 

[Oller Visuals]

Mostly solid steel, some soft "padding" at the rear of the lens (not sure if the new version had that).

Second pic you can see the distortion as the fence is bending, also very soft in the lower corner at 70mm. I only used the new/plastic version last year for studio purposes, but I don't think the edges are soft on the new one (even at f4).

 

[Jordan_S]

There's only one version of the non-IS f/4 70-200mm.

That being said, its widest and longest ends will be its weaknesses. More often than problematic lenses is the occurrence of a need to fine-tune the pairing of a lens and camera body.

If you have the cash, I'd ditch this one and go for the f/4 IS. It's not just the same lens with IS; it's a better lens. And before the 70-200 f2.8 IS ii came along, it was the sharpest of the four. I moved up from one to the other a few years ago and haven't felt the need to go to 2.8. I loved the f/4 but I really love the f/4 IS.

 

[Oller Visuals]

But the one I had last year was made of plastic :O

I'm so confused right now.

 

[Jordan_S]

Maybe you had the coffee mug.

Or maybe they did switch from mostly metal to mostly plastic.

Or maybe someone switched your Folger's crystals with crystal meth. :laugh:

 

[ROCKMORE]

But the one I had last year was made of plastic :O

I'm so confused right now.

What plastic built lens did you have before?

 

[c3hammer]

There is no version of the 70-200 that is plastic that I'm aware of. There were a couple older 70-210 lenses that were plastic and introduced in 1987 and 1990.

If it's white and a Canon lens, it's metal.

Cheers,
Pete