The lower price is most likely due to the seller, not because the IS II is worse.

From the community answers, both versions had the same list price, and the examples you saw were being sold by different sellers. That can easily explain a big price difference: one seller may be discounting more aggressively, clearing stock, or working under different margins.

So, based on the answers provided, there’s no indication that the original lens is optically better just because it costs more in that listing. A higher price on an older version often reflects retailer pricing rather than superior performance.

If you’re comparing these two, focus on:

• seller reputation
• warranty status
• whether it’s authorized or grey-market/imported
• return policy
• actual condition (new, used, refurbished)

In short: the price difference is primarily a marketplace/seller issue, not proof that version I is the better lens.