10 Year old Canon L Series

[GadgetRick]

What do you think? Might be able to get a 10 year old L series lens for a good price. It's been cleaned and refurbished. Not sure if the older lens is that much different than the newer. Looking at the 28-70mm f2.8.

[RichardTaylor]

9.7 over at Fred Miranda. That's extremely good.

FM Reviews - EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM


Good review here also.

Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review

I would go for it. I don't own one, unfortunately.

[inkista]

f/2.8 L glass is still f/2.8 L glass no matter how old. If it's been CLAed (cleaned/lubricated/adjusted; i.e., serviced to be in working condition again), and I needed but couldn't afford a 24-70L (the lens that replaced it), I'd go for it. A lot of the "obsolete" Ls are great bargains, and terrific performers, like the Magic Drainpipe (i.e., EF 80-200 f/2.8L).

[Raoul Isidro]

I still use a Canon 17-35mm F2.8L.
It's more than 10 years old.

[GadgetRick]

Thanks. Yes, the seller said they had it cleaned/serviced at Canon. I understand Canon won't service them after they get too old? If so, where can one get them serviced (reliably)? Also, I don't seem to hear of many problems with name-brand lenses like this. Am I worried too much about having a problem and getting it fixed?

I guess another question is, how much have the newer versions of this lens changed? Is it worth the premium? Basically, I may be able to get this for around $500 if I'm lucky. I'm also looking at the same lens (only 3 years old) on Craig's List locally for $850. Lightly used, too so no scuffs, etc. I'm sort of leaning towards using a bit more of the tax return and getting the newer one but...

[BCampbell]

For $500, the worst that can happen is you don't like it and you can flip it for at least that much.

No reason not to go for it.

[LoveDSLR]

I think the 24-70 focuses closer and better at wide open than the 28-70. According to some reviews, they are very similar between 35-70. I still have my Canon 28-70 f/2.8 L but prefer my newer Nikon 24-70 f/2.8.

[GadgetRick]

Hmm, gonna see what I can do...

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

I think the 24-70 focuses closer and better at wide open than the 28-70. According to some reviews, they are very similar between 35-70. I still have my Canon 28-70 f/2.8 L but prefer my newer Nikon 24-70 f/2.8.

Hardly a fair comparison: body difference makes a huge impact.