End of Service Life - EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM

[justadude]

I just received an email notice from Canon that the original EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM will reach the end of service life on June 30, 2026. While it's always a bit sad to know a product you own is at the end of its service life, I can't complain since it's been 31 years. I cannot even begin to count the number of hired events I've used this lens at (dozens and dozens), along with how many hobby shots I've taken with this. I take very good care of my gear, and I've had other pros I work with say how it still looks brand new. It seems to work like brand new as well, and hopefully will for many more years.

All I can say is "Thank you Canon, for a product very well made!"

[deebatman316]

@justadude It’s sad to see older EF lenses go. But just remember newer RF replacements lenses are on the horizon. That lens was my uncle’s first L lens he bought back in 95. This was the days before IS was a thing but he bought the IS II back in 2011 as a much needed replacement. But with an added benefit of IS. My friend’s dad still owns his copy but he gave it to my friend to use as a landscape lens for her R5 & R5 Mark II. She already owns the new 70-200mm Z version already.

[justadude]

Personally, I've never really needed the IS or IBIS. I've got those turned off 98% of the time... even when I'm shooting sports for a client. When this lens dies, I'm just as likely to search for a used one of this same model. I've been that happy with it. I have used the RF version during one event for about an hour on my R6 Mk ll, but I didn't see the benefit of paying basically everything I earned on that job just to upgrade to an RF version that had similar IQ and I really was not catching any additional shots in focus with the RF. I was still at about 98-99% perfect hit rate with either lens.  The friend who was also shooting said the same about using the EF on his R5. I'm not saying the new RF lenses aren't any good, because they are fantastic... but so is this old EF lens.