Quote Originally Posted by waving_odd
Yeah, some people might be interested to know if the predecessor is discontinued or going to discontinue very soon so they can get a cheaper mark I that they might have planned for a while. That's why I bring this up.

Makes sense.


In fact, a few weeks ago there was an opposite effect - once the MkII was released, the prices on the MkI went up! When it came off the winter lens rebates ($150), the MkI was still selling for a little over $1700 (I remember, because I bought my 100-400mm in early March, and at time I considered getting the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS MkI instead as it was only ~$100 more - but, I wanted the reach and I also wanted to see the reviews of the MkII). Since then, it has gone up from $1700 to $1900. For me, at the time I was ready to make another purchase that reduced difference actually made it a little easier to 'get the II' (which is probably part of the philosophy behind that price increase in the first place!).


I have no doubt that the MkI will be formally discontinued everywhere at some point - I'm sure it's no longer in production. Hopefully for those (like Brendan) considering the MkI, if it's formally discontinued the price of the MkI will drop...