New or used 70-200 2.8

Looking at a used Canon 70-200 IS MkI or new Tamron or Sigma equivalent. Have any of you been faced with this decision? What did you go with?

Doing the same thing right now but looking for a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 w/o IS. Did some research (web reading of reviews) and always the Canon's came up on top - high quality when compared to Sigma and Tamron. Also, the Canon focus system is top tier. Had a Canon 70-200 f/4 IS and hardly needed the IS, needed more aperture though, always on tripod.

Used! Im selling one now infact - although im in the UK! These lenses are built like tanks! Save the money of a brand new one for another lens!

check out canon's Refurbished lenses. There's a refurbished non IS going for about $1,100 and a refurbished 70-200 II going for $1,999.

I went Sigma. I wanted the Canon but couldn't justify the price. It's a lens I don't use a whole lot but when I do I'm glad I have it.

New Tamron 70-200 VC is suppose to be almost on par with the Canon 70-200 mkII but $1000 less.

Check out some of the reviews. I am considering this myself since I can't justify the steep price of the mkII

I went with the Tamron VC and I am not disappointed, got it new for $1299.00.

I'm hearing real good things about the new Tamron version, I've seen some nice samples and it ranks just behind Canon's version II

dharris wrote in post #16306835
Looking at a used Canon 70-200 IS MkI or new Tamron or Sigma equivalent. Have any of you been faced with this decision? What did you go with?

I realized I did not answer your question. Yes, I've been faced with this decision and went with the Canon 70-200II (in my case) because budget was not a constraint.

Now in your case, the Canon refurbished 70-200 non IS (page 5 in my previous link to Canon's site) goes for $1,160, where the Tamron (new) goes for $1,399 (after $100 rebate) and the Sigma (new) goes $1,250. So for me it, if budget was a constraint and I were contemplating which lens, it would come down to which unit produces the better image and cost the least. From my readings, the original Canon 70-200 2.8 wasn't really sharp wide open. Now if one of the other two lenses is sharper than the original Canon 70-200 wide open, then I would go for one of those because 1) it's sharper, 2) it's newer and 3) the cost is about the same.

Now with all that said, if budget is not a constrain then consider the Canon 70-200II (can get a refurbished unit for $1,999 from Canon, plus tax of course, w/a 1 yr warranty) and you will definitely get beautiful sharp images.

Have you visited the lens sample forum for the lenses you are interested in?

I was pondering the same dilema. I went with the Tamron and am very happy with it. You can buy it from CameraLand (authorized seller) on ebay for $1299. There was also a $100 rebate from Tamron but I am not sure if it's still going on. The Tamron has a 5 or 6 year warranty.

There was a review posted here on POTN recently highlighting the differences between the Sigma and the Tamron. https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1326482

And as mentioned, I, too, recommend you check out the threads of sample pics for each lens in consideration.

There is only 2 options in my opinion for this type of lens.

1. Canon Mk2
2. Tamron VC

Thats it.

Like the guy above, look at my review found in my signature. I will be doing a top secret project labeled "Tamron: The Final Battle" this weekend. Without going into many details lets just say I have acquired the holy grail

Thank you all for the wonderful help I ended up buying the Tammy.

I know you have made your purchase, but I thought I would give my two pence worth anyway. I have been agonising over a similar dilemma also, only with the Canon 70-200 f4 IS USM version and am picking up my new lens in the morning, I looked long and hard at second user, but in the end, what do I do if there is a problem? Whatever I save could be wiped out and more and why is the seller getting rid of it? Just could not take the risk so dug deep and went new!

I probably wont sleep tonight!

Cheers, Al

Take a look at my Tamron vs canon f4 is thread here

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1327866