EF 70-200 IS L Having issues, in the market for a new lens

[Lkcphotos31]

Hello! I have posted about my problems with my current lens in regards to sports photography. I have concluded the lens seems to be the problem. I currently shoot with an EOS R with a 70-200 IS L and an adapter. I am in the market for a new lens, should I buy a newer model EF 70-200 like the III or spend more and just go for the 70-200 RF.

I compared my ef 70-200 with a rented rf and here are the results below, there is something wrong with my current lens. 

Lens Comparison 

[p4pictures]

Realistically you are better to get the RF lens for your camera. There will be no more DSLR cameras, so buying lenses for them makes little sense at this point. 

[Ron888]

Sorry for the huge saga that turned into.I'm glad you worked it out in the end!
Fair warning - i havent used the RF lens and my knowledge is based on what i read.And that is you should absolutely go with the RF version.It has the extra contacts for driving the focus and there will be many other small details that make it better suit your camera (or future R cameras)
That said the EF version is very good too,so its a tough choice.

[March411]

To start with I really sorry that your lens does have some type of issue. Lens coating degradation, fungus/mildew are possibilities. Either way it's a drag, and you were right from the beginning. Have you considered having a repair center locally take a peek at it?

What lens to buy, it really all comes down to finances doesn't it?

• RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z - $3000 New
• RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM - $2500 New - I own this lens and it a daily driver
• RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM - $1500 New but probably not fast enough for night games
• EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS III USM - $1705 KEH Used, Like new with caps, case and hood. Can probably find a good one cheaper although KEH and MPB lenses have a warranty

If you can swing it financially the RF is probably the best move, you have already moved to a R body. Where I am different from others, I still use and buy EF glass, it performs great on my R bodies and you will find that there are many enthusiasts and professionals purchasing EF glass because of a fairly substantial savings and there are many that remain great lenses even in today's RF world.

It's good to keep an eye on this list when considering EF glass Canon repair support period ended.

The EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS III USM currently isn't on a support ended list. That being said, it's important know that at some point parts for EF glass are going to become difficult to obtain. EF lenses at some point will not be a repairable commodity and will become end of life. I use a local repair center and they have conveyed that once a lens hits the "end of life" list they normally can repair lenses for about 5 years. So it also depends on the resources you have for equipment maintenance.

[ebiggs1]

I don't know how much of a factor of how easily or possible a lens is to be repaired is in the purchasing decision. Yeah, I suppose it has some bearing but to me not much. I have bought lenses and still have lenses that I knew at the time probably couldn't be repaired. And as far as I can remember at the moment they all are still working just fine and, no, they are not everyday lenses so that is a bearing point too.

Another point, you don't need IS. You can certainly use the lens with IS off. However, I too, like the others don't think it a good idea to buy any more EF lenses if you own an R series camera. For one thing I hate adapters or even tel-cons for that matter. Its best to have the correct mount and FL you need.

One last point is price, repair or replacement vs new and your budget. The EF lens you can afford is far better than the RF lens you can't. Choose wisely.