topic Re: Will I see a difference upgrading EF 70-200mm f/2.8? in Gear Guide

Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:43:41 GMT

Hello! I'm new to the forums, but a long time Canon user of 22 years.

I have an older Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. It is the original version before image stabilization came around. I liked this lens on my DSLR for landscape work and other things. But now that I have upgraded to the R5 I'm wondering if an upgraded version of the lens will be any sharper?

My budget is limited to $1500. Do you know if the RF 70-200mm f/4 lens would be any sharper than this old version that I have? I get that I will lose a stop of light, but if this lens is noticeably sharper, it might be worth the tradeoff. I also understand the RF one is smaller and less weight, but the weight of the EF does not bother me at all because the lens is usually on a tripod. So the only thing I am looking for is better image quality.

Thank you for reading this post.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading EF 70-200mm f/2.8?

March411 — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:00:06 GMT

Sharper, probably not, the differences would be negligible. Not sure what other components may have an impact on your decision but the EF 70-200mm 2.8 will offer moderately better bokeh if that is required for your photography.

On your R5 the EF 70-200mm 2.8 will not be able to achieve the higher burst rate if that is necessary. I went with the with the RF 70-200mm when I started transitioning my EF lenses to RF but held out until I could swing the f2.8. I still own EF lenses that work perfectly if not better on my R system bodies..

Here is an older but fairly recent thread on the topic of the RF version of the 70-200mm: https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EF-RF-Lenses/Canon-rf-70-200-comparison-between-f4-and-f2-8/td-p/469115

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading EF 70-200mm f/2.8?

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:20:07 GMT

Thank you March411. I shoot landscapes with this lens so burst rate or faster focus is not required. Thank you for the thread, but that is talking about RF f/2.8 versus RF f/4 so it didn't help. My concern is that a lot of photographers on social media say that the original EF version of this lens is not as sharp as the second or third EF version. Some people say it is pretty noticeable between version l and lll. I do not know how true that is but since I hear it a lot I think I needed to check further, which is why I am here since you guys seem to know more than the average person on social media about Canon lenses.

So my thoughts are if mine is the least sharp EF version of this lens, does it make sense that I will see more sharpness with the RF version. Do you know of any online resource that might be able to tell me?

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading EF 70-200mm f/2.8?

March411 — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:54:38 GMT

Hey Roberto, I understand that the link posted was regarding the RF version as a noted in the link, I thought the information would be helpful. For your application, landscapes and since you already own the lens I really don't think the RF would be worth the investment unless you could use it in other styles of photography.

I guess the real question comes down to how sharp are the images you are producing today. If your eye test is providing you with solid images why pay attention to what others are saying on the net.

Just note that the lens is end of service so if repair/service is required it could be a challenge.

There is quite a bit of information on all the versions of EF 70-200mm f/2.8 on this site (Link Below) if you do a search.

Forum search results EF 70-200mm f2.8

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading EF 70-200mm f/2.8?

ebiggs1 — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:42:06 GMT

"It is the original version before image stabilization came around..."

Of course you know IS doesn't make a lens sharper. Some even say a non-IS lens is sharper than the IS version. Having and using both with and without IS, I must say I never saw it.

I will say that you might see better IQ with the latest version of the RF model because the lens coating has been improved so much over the years. But you have to keep in mind that all of Canon's 70-200mm lens are very good so improvement will be slight.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading EF 70-200mm f/2.8?

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:17:18 GMT

Thank you March 411. As to your question of how sharp the images are that I am producing today, I feel they could be sharper. I do know that some of this has to do with editing but images I see online taken with an R5 and the RF 70-200mm seem a lot sharper than mine. I work on a 27" Apple monitor, so it's not like I am looking at a small screen to compare. Also I use some RF lenses like the 35mm RF f/1.8 and I feel these are sharper than my EF 70-200mm when I zoom in. This is why I am wondering if I should upgrade.

I will follow the link you provided. Thank you.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading EF 70-200mm f/2.8?

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:24:10 GMT

Thank you ebiggs1. I am aware IS doesn't make a photo sharper but I only mentioned it so you would know which version of the lens I have. Others have told me that mine is the least sharp version of Canon's EF and RF 70-200mm lineup. I do not know how true that is. I don't want to ask at the camera store because they just want to sell me something new.

By latest model with better coating are you talking about the Z version? If so I can not afford that. I can only afford the f/4 version. Or were you saying that about all three of the RF 70-200mm lenses?

Thank you.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:54:47 GMT

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 16:12:09 GMT

"By latest model with better coating are you talking about the Z version? "

Well, it only makes sense that the 'latest' lens is always going to be at a minimum as good and probably better. Otherwise why? Whether it be better tolerances or better coating or design, newer tech is as a rule, as they say better.

"I use some RF lenses like the 35mm RF f/1.8 and I feel these are sharper"

I would be shocked if the 35mm wasn't sharper. 35mm seems to be a super easy FL to design as almost every companies 35mm is a top IQ contender. My 35mm f1.4 Sigma Art is the sharpest lens I have ever owned or used.

"Others have told me that mine is the least sharp version of Canon's EF and RF 70-200mm lineup."

If it is first version then, yes, it is likely the least IQ of the bunch. But that is a how much less thing, is it a real world difference or just pixel peeping thing.

" I can not afford that."

The lens you have is always better than the lens you wish you had.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 16:18:42 GMT

"I do know that some of this has to do with editing but images ..."

I left this for a reply all its own. Post editing is where great photos are made. They are not made in the camera/lens but in editors like Photoshop. on the other hand it is abundantly possible to ruin a good photo, too. I have no idea of your abilities or even what app you use to do your edits but it certainly is a major factor in IQ.

If given the choice of only using Canon's cheapest camera/lens combo and Photoshop or using Canon's top of the line most expensive best quality camera/lens combo they make and never Photoshop, I would take the cheap stuff and Photoshop every, that is 100%, of the time.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 19:13:53 GMT

Thank you John. I went to the website and found it very helpful.

Thank you.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 19:56:00 GMT

Thank you ebiggs1. I hope you don't mind but I will reply to both of your replies here.

I think my whole concern is summed up in just one sentence that you said. "Is it a real world difference or just pixel peeping". The website that John Hoffman was kind enough to point out did show a noticeable difference, but that circles back to what you said. I have no idea how zoomed in the diagramed photos are.

I suppose the 35mm was not the best example. I did borrow my cousin's EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens last summer when the kids were rafting and my 70-200mm was at home. Those photos look just as sharp if not sharper than photos with the 70-200mm taken the week before. I was surprised for a lens that was not a premium lens. The 70-200mm seems sharper under 120mm and then goes downhill as I zoom in. I know lenses have their sweet spot, but only 70-120 out of 200mm? That's why I started looking at replacing the EF 70-200mm.

I should have been more specific. I'm sorry. I have been editing with Photoshop for about 30 years, and Lightroom since version 2 first came out. I sell landscape prints to the public and I know I am good at it. I'm sorry, but I am not bragging. For me to say that I am good at something like this is rare, but we all have talents I guess. I am often paid to take senior portraits, and food photos for local restaurants too. But for portraits and food I use primes. Anyway, I have to know editing well. Even after editing photos taken with my most expensive lens, which is the EF 70-200mm, I feel images are not often sharp enough when they are with mid to long focal lengths. With other lenses of mine, even the inexpensive RF 50mm f1.8 they almost always seem sharp enough to print.

Thank you for listening.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

justadude — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:13:34 GMT

I have the same version of the EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens. It's my workhorse lens for athletic events (marathons and triathlons), and does an excellent job. I did have the opportunity last year to trade off lenses with a fellow photographer at a race for about an hour. He was using the RF 70-200mm F/2.8 L. I know you are asking about the RF F/4 version (which I have zero experience with) but here is what both of us noticed when we switched out lenses.

The RF version was slightly faster to focus. Not enough that it gave me a reason to want to upgrade. The EF is still fast enough for what I do. You said you do landscapes and portraits, so I don't think that will factor in at all, but I'm just trying to give you everything I found.

Weight - It was nice using the lighter weight of the RF when you consider also the weight of the adapter as well as the lens. You mentioned a tripod for landscapes. Didn't mention it for portraits, so if you hand hold, that's a nice bonus.

Image Quality - We both compared notes about a week after we edited everything. We both agreed it was hard to tell the difference on which lens took which photo. I view these on a 24" screen and I couldn't tell the difference without looking at the EXIF data in Lightroom. Would the IQ be any different with the F/4 version than what I found with the F/2.8? I highly doubt it, but check the comparison with the link that John provided.

I am stumped at your comment about IQ getting worse after 120mm. I don't notice any difference through the focal range except very minor at the extreme ends.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:43:22 GMT

"I feel images are not often sharp enough ..."

How about posting and unedited raw file on one of the file sharing sites and let a couple of us examine it? Let us know where it is.

You do shoot raw? Upon import to LR you do lens correction and a small amount of dedicated sharpening? It you only shoot jpg the camera does sharpening of its own and perhaps it is interfering with LR if you do any additional sharpening too. Almost always less is more in post editing.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

SignifDigits — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 20:44:21 GMT

Thank you for visiting us and sharing and engaging the experts here. I have neither lens. I'm not expert on this topic.

I'm curious about some things though, if you don't mind me asking. Are you satisfied with what you're seeing in manual zoom on the lens via the "One-Shot→enabled (magnify)" feature (and I realize that this might not be supported on your particular lens - hope it is), and then just not happy with sharpness in the RAW file (also assuming you have the lens profile as previously mentioned). Also, I'm wondering if you've looked at the same images in Canon Digital Professional Photo Professional and LR? I'm just curious about exploring a) anything that might be "off" a little bit in the lens focusing on your new camera that might be fixed via a trip to the Canon shop, or b) ensuring that you are seeing the same lack of sharpness in Canon and Adobe software.

I have one other question. What are you shooting with the 70-200? I'm thinking not landscapes? Maybe a stupid question but I shoot nearly all landscapes with my RF 15-35mm f2.8 - usually closer to 15mm. Just curious what you're using your zoom in that range for, as I have a lot to learn.

I'm saving up for/hoping for the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8LIS USM Z. I plan to use that for wildlife and outdoor events and think the internal telescoping mechanism is more likely to be durable and sealed long-term (unlike my non-L RF200-800 f6.3-9 which I like a lot (thank you Canon for IS and IBIS!). I know that 70-200mm is over your budget I know and NOT trying to tell you that's the way to go - just hoping to learn from someone with more experience with a zoom in that range.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:39:50 GMT

Thank you ebiggs1. Yes I do shoot raw, not jpeg, and yes I check the lens correction box and often add a light touch of sharpening. I am pretty well versed in editing. I do not have problems with sharp images on my prints for customers with other lenses. It is only this one lens when I zoom in about halfway and farther that I notice it.

I will look to see where I can upload a full size file.
Thank you.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:44:04 GMT

Thank you justadude. So if both of the EF and RF lenses were just as sharp as each other, did they both lose some sharpness once you zoomed in halfway and further? Or was the RF sharper at 200mm? That is what I am hoping to find out.

Most of your text was about the RF f2.8 which I cannot afford.

Thank you.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:04:30 GMT

Thank you signifdigts. I'm not satisfied with the raw files before and after editing once I zoom out past 120mm. The images are softer than they should be. Yes I have used DPP4 and Lightroom and Photoshop's Camera Raw. I did a lot of trial and error with the images in all three of those before I decided to sign up here. It was a good idea to ask though. I own many lenses but it is just this one that does not seem as sharp with the raw file and after editing and printing.

Yes I shoot mostly landscapes with this lens. Some photographers like a wide lens, other photographers like the compression with a long focal length in landscapes, especially in the mountains near home. My apologies if that seems stupid. I tried wide lenses for mountain scenery years ago, but the photos were flat and boring. The long focal length also works wonderfully out in the plains as well, except for the slight softness. I do know it is not due to heat rising because in the winter on sub zero days I see the same softness.

I can't answer about the IS and IBIS. I use a tripod so those are always turned off.

Thank you.

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

ebiggs1 — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:12:24 GMT

" What are you shooting with the 70-200? I'm thinking not landscapes?"

The 70-200mm zoom makes a wonderful landscape lens especially if you use it vertically. If you don't use one or never have used one because of the nonsense that only certain lenses are so-called "landscape" lenses you are missing out on a whole new world of photography. To even further the 70-200mm zoom also make a great portrait lens. In fact I switched to it several, I mean, many years ago as my go to portrait lens,

Re: Will I see a difference upgrading from EF 70-200mm f/2.8 to the RF version?

ebiggs1 — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:15:11 GMT

" I own many lenses but it is just this one that does not seem as sharp with the raw file ..."

You may have internal alignment or damage issues. If that is true there won't be any easy fix in post. Let us see an example unedited raw file.

There won't be any fix for rising heat waves either.