The group of lenses I use is old. Really so old that I’m really surprised how it still works. However, the old Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS is still a good choice for many photographers. This is why I will keep a copy of this amazing lens. I hate two things: learning a new device and spending money when I don’t really have to. There’s a wishlist of gear that I want, but most of those fall into the realm of grip and lighting adjustments. However, sometimes I wonder if it’s time to upgrade my camera setup. It’s getting older by the day, and the more I shoot, the closer I get to the end. But how long should you really use your camera gear? Is it like a car that requires a check number every X thousand miles? Or should I just use it until it dies one way or another?
For example, my 24-70mm f/2.8 lens probably has at least a million operations on it. Once, I fell on it and part of the lens holding the hood broke. Instead of buying a new lens, I just glued it together and continued working as usual. It doesn’t look pretty, but it works well. Mine 70-200mm f/2.8 the condition is even better: for starters, it’s not broken. But there are a few more things going for it. Here are a few reasons why you should consider buying this antique but great lens.
Advantage
Blur Bokeh & Optical Quality
This lens is the king of bokeh, like any 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. In fact, a quick test online shows it to have a smoother bokeh effect than later versions. While I rarely use it at f/2.8, it’s still a must-know for sports photographers or whose work style relies on bokeh.
Speaking of sharpness, I have to point out an important detail, when I first bought this lens I shot everything at f/2.8 and wondered where the sharpness was. While more seasoned photographers will laugh at this, the rest of us must understand that just because a lens can reach f/2.8 doesn’t mean you should shoot everything at low settings. set this aperture. If you need to achieve maximum sharpness, stop at f/8 or f/11. The center is always sharp, however, things get a little worse as we get into the corners.
On-lens IS is pretty good for the times, but won’t be as good as modern cameras. That said it offers 2-3 stops of improvement, which is pretty good considering the lens was made in 2001.
Quality build
As a fairly basic photographer and don’t really care about gear, I’m amazed at the grip of this lens. I’ve traveled a lot with this lens, it’s been bumped, scratched and used in the harshest of conditions but it still works. It even survived my event days when I was shooting in the pouring rain, leaving the equipment on the floor and not taking care of it properly.
The reason it’s so hard is because it’s made of metal, which makes the lens heavy. It weighs 1.4kg or 3.08 lb. It’s built like a tank, but it’s also heavy like a tank. It is also not small, almost 20cm or 7.8” long. This will be quite noticeable in your camera bag.
concentrate
I rarely miss focus on this lens because of it’s fast, reliable and the fact that focusing is not only dependent on the lens but also on the body. However, tested this on 5Ds and 5D MarkIV, each with a very different focusing system, I must report that it’s almost perfect, even at f/2.8. There’s a smooth manual focus ring, and nothing moves outside the lens when it’s in focus. However, I found the focused breath a bit annoying. This lens isn’t my first choice for video either, as the IS and focus are loud, and with the mount microphone you’ll hear pretty much both. 
Price
The biggest advantage for many is the price. It is available from some retailers such as MPB or Used BH for $700-1100, making it one of the cheapest 70-200 f/2.8 IS lenses available. The level of performance this lens offers makes it one of the best value for money lenses. 
Weakness
sharpness
Sharpness matters, especially if you’re not working with flash. For those who rely on lens optics and shutter speed for photography, this may not be the best lens to buy. Also, if you have other ways to control sharpness: with flash or your choice of dimmers, for example, then this lens should be fine. Sharpness depends on a lot of factors, not just lens selection.
Contrast & Color
Contrast is better with version II. Just a quick look online shows me that in the case of shooting with natural light, this may not be the best lens. Also, as someone who relies on post-production, lighting and color for contrast, I’m not worried about this. Anyhow, if there is too much contrast in my work.
Stop thinking
The 70-200 f/2.8 IS is still a very suitable lens for many genres of photography. Especially if you are on a tight budget then this could be the best money for you. I can’t really say that this lens is from 2001. If your photography is more about the content of your images than technical perfection, then this lens would be a good fit. It will be upgraded eventually, probably when it breaks. But even then, I might just get another copy of the same lens or If money allows version II. The number of EF lenses on the used market is huge, and they’re not going away anytime soon. Just because camera companies make it seem like the future is here and you have to upgrade, doesn’t mean you should. Even Canon’s FD lenses from the 1970s are widely available, so EF glasses should last for several decades if not longer. To sum up, if you’re into canon photography and need an affordable 70-200 f/2.8 lens, I highly recommend buying this great device.
