topic Re: EF 70-200 ii or iii? in Gear Guide

EF 70-200 ii or iii?

Ovacheerdad — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:12:46 GMT

Hey guys, looking for some insight. I'm wanting to pickup a 70-200. I don't want the RF due to the fact i don't like the external zoom and the Z model is out of my price range right now so its going to have to be an EF model. I have found a excellent ii for $900 which is quite a bit less than the iii is going for right now. I do know the ii is not serviceable by canon anymore if something were to ever happen to it. Should i grab the deal and protect it with my life or wait to find a cheaper iii since its still serviceable?

Re: EF 70-200 ii or iii?

shadowsports — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:55:40 GMT

Greetings ,

If you want continued repair or support from Canon, you'll have to get the mkIII. The mkII is no longer supported, I sold mine about 5 months ago. There is no difference between the two lenses except for the paint color (shade) on the barrel and the coatings on the optics. MkIII coating is slightly newer. Does that mean better, I don't think so. If you haven't held the RF.. take a look at one in person. The RF is also approx 13 oz. lighter that the EF counterparts. It's super compact too. I love mine. Good luck!

Re: EF 70-200 ii or iii?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:14:47 GMT

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III can significantly reduce flare and ghosting when shooting directly into a light source. If you a a person that rarely or never does that he Mk II has identical sharpness.
Otherwise meaning the autofocus, the build quality, the IQ all will be equal.

"...you want continued repair or support from Canon, you'll have to get the mkIII. The mkII is no longer supported, ..."

I never buy gear based on whether it is under warranty or if Canon will repair it. All warranties will end and all lenses will come to the end if service life. Rather you should base your buying requirement to what you either need or want to do. Of course if these are used examples you do need to make sure they are in good working nick.

Re: EF 70-200 ii or iii?

shadowsports — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:17:55 GMT

All good points Ernie. 🙂

Re: EF 70-200 ii or iii?

Ovacheerdad — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:40:52 GMT

Sounds like the 900 for a ii is better than the 1600-1900 the iiis are going for.

Re: EF 70-200 ii or iii?

ebiggs1 — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:08:59 GMT

Your decission.

Re: EF 70-200 ii or iii?

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:30:30 GMT

I agree with Ernie.

The canon site lists the VIII as undecided. Since the only difference between the two lenses is the body color and the improved lens coating it is not obvious why one would be considered repairable and the other not. They could decide next month that the VIII would also be unrepairable (or it could remain repairable for years).

Buy from a site that offers a return/warranty period and shoot a lot to test it out.

Re: EF 70-200 ii or iii?

justadude — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:10:24 GMT

I still use the old trusted and true original version of this lens (before IS). The lens is very sharp. I still use it for my pro sports work, and it never fails. I would say that either version you are looking at, being a step above mine, you will love as much as I love this older version. Buy what you feel comfortable spending, but if it was me, I'd pick the version ii in a heartbeat for that much of a price difference.