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Old L lenses that are still in production

Pao Dolina

Active member
These L lenses were introduced before 2006 and are still in production. They are likely to get a Series II or IS update.

1993 EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
1995 EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
1996 EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
1996 EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
1996 EF 135mm f/2L USM
1997 EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
1999 EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
2004 EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
These L lenses were introduced before 2006 and are still in production. They are likely to get a Series II or IS update.

1993 EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
1995 EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
1996 EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
1996 EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
1996 EF 135mm f/2L USM
1997 EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
1999 EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
2004 EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM


The 28-300 seems a great lens for a fashion show, in that one can get the models up close and also entering the runway. However, I have not heard of anyone using this routinely.

The EF 400 5.6L is almost without peer as a high class relatively low cost lens really worthy to be added to any new birders lens collection. On a Sony A7RII, this has image stabilization and that seems like a great combo.

The 300 f4.0 L IS is a remarkable lens in that it might provide a very sharp 4.0 lens sufficient to resolve with the 50 MP of a Eos 5DS. So it might can substitute well for and actual 600 mm lens in birding! All one needs is sufficient light. Here the extra weight of a better beamer and flash would bet very worthwhile. I would love to see someone try this combo!What do you think.

Asher
 

Pao Dolina

Active member
Nikon came out with these lenses

2010 - Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR sells for $800 and weighs 800g
2015 - Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4E PF ED VR is a DO lens that weighs 755g
 

Pao Dolina

Active member
I will expound on my original post to better convey my ideas.

1995 EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
1999 EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
- film lens with film optics
- newer 70-200 without IS have come out from other brands after the 90s.

1997 EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
- film lens with film optics
- In 2015 Nikon came out with an equivalent that is PF (Nikon's DO equivalent) that is lighter and smaller

2004 EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM
- In 2010 Nikon came out with an equivalent that is half the weight and price.

1996 EF 135mm f/2L USM
- film lens with film optics
- Earlier than 2009 Sony came out with an equivalent that is 1/3rd stop faster
- newer lenses from other brands have come out after 1996

1996 EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
- film lens with film optics
- newer long Macros have come out from other brands that are either faster or have IS after 1996

1996 EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
- film lens with film optics
- Could be replaced by a Series III or with IS

1993 EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
- film lens with film optics
- Could be replaced by a Series III or with IS

Now, granted some of these lens are not volume sellers or would not provide a cheap option at the very low end but it does not mean that they will not eventually get an update.

This thread purpose is to give prospective buyers a head's up on which product will be likely to be phased out because they're old and the competition came out with something more suitable to today's technical requirement.
 
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