Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

There are two versions of this lens.
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM Lens sells for $1,299.00 and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens
sells for $599.00.
Again, go to BH and do a comparison for details.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I have the latter (Non-IS) version. It's a great lens - IS would make it better.

adedeluca Loc: holbrook ny

The 70-200 is my favorite lens excellent color and great for people shots

You well live it

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

And is the vendor a good one? Do they offer a warranty? What is their return policy? If B&H is so close to your price, it might be a good choice over some guy on Craig's list because of how up front B&H is and their reputation is second to none.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

[quote=CHG_CANON] It you let the UHH community spend your money, nothing you have will ever be good enough to their standards.

adedeluca Loc: holbrook ny

By the way the relative lightness vs the 2.8 verionwill make you use it as lot more

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

This looks like a bargin. There are many landscape shooters that use the f 4 because on a tripod, f 2.8 is not necessary. This lens also is much lighter than the f 2.8 and is great for use older folks.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I've had and used the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM for close to twenty years. I used it so much, I started looking around for a "backup" lens and bought an EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM (identical to the one pictured) when I found a good deal on a very nice used one. I paid a good bit more than $525... BUT I got both the OEM lens hood and the OEM tripod mounting ring with it.

Frankly, I now use the f/4 lens more than I use the f/2.8. It's smaller, lighter and at least as sharp and fast focusing. In fact, it has more effective image stabilization (estimated to give 3 to 4 stops of assistance versus 2 to 3 stops in the original f/2.8). The f/4 lenses also use fluorite, which the original f/2.8 IS and the original f/2.8 non-IS don't. Fluorite is used as part of the optical formula to reduce or eliminate chromatic aberration that can be a problem in telephotos like these. All the other Canon 70-200s use fluorite (f/4 non-IS, f/4 IS, f/4 IS II, f/2.8 IS II and f/2.8 IS III). Only the original non-IS f/2.8 and the first version IS f/2.8 don't use it (they,re still very good lenses, in spite of this).

I only get out the f/2.8 lens now when I need the extra stop due to low light conditions. Otherwise, I found I was using it stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6 a lot of the time anyway, so might as well use the lighter (almost by half), smaller (by about 1/3) and less expensive (by about 1/3) f/4 lens.

Normally the f/4 lenses come with a matched, bayonet mount lens hood (like most L-series lenses). The hood used by the f/4 lenses is NOT a "tulip" style, as is used by the f/2.8 lenses. Still, it's quite effective and I don't use my lenses without hoods (makes for better protection than some filter could ever offer).

From all I've seen, there is little to be gained "upgrading" to the f/4 IS II... if you already have the original version of that lens. Both are excellent lenses.

On several occasions I've lent my 70-200mm f/2.8 to people to give it a try.... At least two of them opted to buy the smaller, lighter, less expensive f/4 lens... like the one pictured by the OP.... instead.

EDIT: As stated previously, the tripod mounting ring for the f/4 70-200mm lenses is sold separately (one is included with all the f/2.8 lenses and is one part of the reason they're more expensive). The Canon "Tripod Ring A" is rather pricey at $140 new (might find it for a bit less used). There are cheaper 3rd party "clones" that might work okay... such as the Vello for $50. Beware of even cheaper (~$25) as they are probably plastic and won't hold up to regular use. The way this ring is designed, with a hinge so that it can be installed or removed without removing the lens from the camera, means the ring has to be pretty precise fitting to lock properly. Don't skimp... Particularly if you buy one of the 3rd party clones, be sure to get it from a reputable store that allows returns if you are dissatisfied with what you get... and make a point of testing it on your lens immediately when you receive it, to be sure it locks sufficiently tightly.

The f/4 IS and non-IS both use 67mm filters. The newer f/4 IS II uses 72mm. It also has gained an additional blade in it's aperture, now has 9 (the earlier lenses have 8). Other differences include that Canon claims the II lens has more effective IS (up to 5 stops) and that its IS is quieter. It also has "Mode 3" IS, like some of the bigger teles with IS. This is a form of "instant stabilization"... it doesn't run immediately when the shutter release or AF On button is pressed... it only activates and stabilizes during the actual exposure. Some people prefer this. Personally I don't use it (my 100-400L IS II has it). I prefer and find it helpful for IS to stabilize the image in my viewfinder, while I'm tracking moving subjects, before I trip the shutter to take a shot. The original f/4 IS only has Mode 1 and Mode 2 IS. (FYI: Mode 1 is "standard" stabilization, counteracting movement on both horizontal axis and vertical axis... Mode 2 is "panning" stabilization, which only counteracts movement on the vertical axis, so that it doesn't work against you when you're trying to cause deliberate background blur with a panned shot.)

You can read more about the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM (as shown above) here:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-4.0-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

And you can read moreabout how the recently updated "II" version of it compares, here:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-4L-IS-II-USM-Lens.aspx

This compares the various specifications of the two:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Lens-Specifications.aspx?Lens=1198&LensComp=404

And, perhaps most importantly, this tool can be used to compare the images quality of the original and II versions of the lens:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1198&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=404&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=0

dick ranez

$525 is on the low end of a good condition used 70-200 f4.0 is. It should have the lens hood and end caps. There is a protective bag that is shipped with a new one. The tripod collar from Canon is expensive, but a non-canon version is available for about $20 on ebay. Take a camera and test it before paying. Check autofocus and that the focusing ring turns smoothly in manual mode. Shake it and listen for anything. You can examine the paint for any signs of heavy use or damage (filter ring is critical). Most of these lenses are sold by people who have 1. changed systems, 2. lost interest or 3. need money. If it passes your inspection, you've got a good deal.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

No, there are three f/4 versions....

1. The least expensive $599 version doesn't have IS. The EF 70-200mm f/4 USM (1999 to present) is a fine lens and a really good value. In fact, it's the least expensive lens anyone makes with fluorite in it's optical formula:
[urlhttps://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/183198-USA/canon_2578a002_ef_70_200mm_f_4l_usm.html[/url]
But... IS is always nice to have, if you don't mind paying a little more (usually).

2. The original EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM (2006 to 2018) can still be found new and is selling for $1100. This is the version the OP shows and is asking about.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457678-USA/Canon_1258B002AA_EF_70_200mm_f_4L_IS.html
This original IS version has been available for some time and a lot have been sold, so it's pretty easy to find used, too. In good condition, from a reputable retailer offering a 90 to 180 day store warranty you will usually pay between $700 and $800 for a used one.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/457678/Canon_1258B002AA_EF_70_200mm_f_4L_IS.html
What the OP is referencing sounds like a pretty good deal, depending upon who is offering it. And whether or not the tripod ring and lens hood are included. A replacement Canon ET-74 hood costs $40... but Vello makes a clone for $12! Tripod Ring A costs $140... Vello and other 3rd party Tripod Ring A cost about $50. AVOID $20-$25 plastic tripod rings.... they break and your lens & camera fall to the ground! This version of the 70-200mm f/4 is being superseded by the II model below.

3. EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM "II" was announced in mid-2018 and is selling for $1299:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1414598-REG/canon_2309c002_ef_70_200mm_f_4l_is.html

rcarol

You have referenced the wrong lens. The IS version of that lens is selling for $1299 new at B&H.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

I figured that one out real quick

LukesBeach Loc: Pawleys Island, SC

The photo shows the VII. So, it seems to be a very good NEW or trusted seller near new price. I have the older version (bought on amazon for $500) and it is a remarkable lens. I use it matched with my 6D FF.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Yes if no scratches or mold and AF works and rings work smoothly👍

hrblaine

I've had this lens for sometime. Don't remember what I paid but it was worth every penny. It's not quite my EDC on camera lens but it's always with me and used often. Great lens/color, light and takes wonderful pics as long as I do my part Harry