Introduction
This lens is one of the new line-up of lenses offered by Nikon that features both silent wave autofocussing (AF-S) as well as the Vibration Reduction (VR) feature that allows you to handhold lenses at speeds up to three stops slower than the usually recommended "focal length reciprocal" rule. It's also reasonably well priced, so you won't have to take out a mortgage or refinance your children's college funds in order to get one.
It also features the controversial (in some circles) G version of the F mount, meaning that there is no aperture ring on the lens. This precludes it from being used on any Nikon SLR that does not have the aperture controlling feature included in the electronics of the camera body, i.e. you can't use it on the older manual focus bodies because you won't be able to select an aperture other than f/2.8 when it is mounted on the body.
Body, Finish & Ergonomics
There are some people who will tell you that Nikon has taken a step backwards with their new lightweight alloy selections when it comes to professional lens construction, but these are probably the same people who have never carried a camera pack-pack around whilst on a shoot all day. Every bit of weight saved without sacrificing overall quality is worth it!
In the case of this lens you don't have the older "crinkle" styled finish that most ED lenses used to have, but its now a much smoother, satin like finish, which I kind of like. It makes the lens seem very modern and also resilient to the abuses this type of item will normally endure in its lifetime.
The body of the lens is slightly slimmer than its pre-decessor the 80-200mm AF-S and it also features something quite ingenious from Nikon: a removeable tripod mount. Unlike the previous 80-200mm where you could only move the mount out of the way by loosening a clamp, this foot comes off completely by depressing a small lever and sliding the foot off the base of the lens. The ring remains behind. This comes in very handy when you don't want to use the lens on a tripod. There are also after-market mounts that can be bought allowing you to clamp directly onto certain tripod heads, such as the Kirk BH series, as well as Really Right Stuff heads.
Performance
The lens auto-focussing is outstanding, particularly on the newer pro-spec D2 series cameras. I have shot rugby, motorsport, surfing and live performances using this lens and have been very happy with my results. It's particlarly sharp when wide open and that's why I like it. There's nothing more frustrating than spending a lot of money on a fast-aperture lens only to discover later on that its no good wide open. Fortunately that's not the case in this instance.
Focus tracking is excellent. This image was taken with a D2H using the centre focusing zone and AF-C (no dynamic settings). These are 450cc motorcycles and they can travel pretty fast! The D2H and 70-200mm (on tripod with Kirk BH-3) had no problems keeping up with the fast approaching bikes and all my shots taken on the day were in focus and sharp!
Many people have asked me if it would be better to have this lens with a 2x converter like the TC-20e than the 80-400mm f/5.6R. Unfortunately I don't have a teleconverter, so I can't comment on the performance of this lens when coupled to one, but what I will say is that your 80-400mm is never going to give you an aperture of f/2.8, so bear that in mind when making this choice.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an outstanding 2x zoom lens that is very sharp wide open and can perform in all sorts of shooting conditions, don't waste time...order one today!
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Re: Review: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR
2: September 18, 2006, 06:21:47 PM by
cybereanthumbs up for me on this lens.
very good optics and versatility.
more than acceptable performance wide open,
(though clearly not the best, until stopped down a click or so).
a minor gripe for me is it's a bit on a longish side.
though still ballances nicely on a pro body.
wide open @200mm:
wide open @200mm + 1.4X TC (from about 10ft away):
2/3 of a click down @200mm:
one click down @193mm + 1.4X TC + HSC:
one click down @200mm:
Re: Review: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR
3: September 19, 2006, 08:18:12 AM by
NikosRUsable (but not exciting) wide open. A bit less so wide open at more than 180mm. 1/3 - 2/3 stop should do the trick. Flares easily. Very good contrast and colour. Acceptable bokeh which seems to sometimes get affected by VR operating.
Main gripe for me, the focal length / size / weight combination is not really suitable to my shooting. I have the lens, but I'm waiting for a 50-150ish kind of lens to give me back what I used to get with the 80-200 on film.
Re: Review: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR
4: October 16, 2006, 07:02:56 AM by
FanieJust sold my Sigma 70-200f2.8 and replaced it with a 70-200 VR. First impressions are faster focus, focus more accurate, and slightly sharper wide open than the Sigma. The VR does affect the bokeh though and I will switch it of if not needed.
Re: Review: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR
5: October 17, 2006, 12:27:23 AM by
Equis25Well, I use this lens on both D2X and D70. So far I am very pleased with the results I get from it. I think it is a superb piece of equipment. Like with most VR lenses it takes some getting used to and marginal results can be contributed to the early part of the learning curve.
Re: Review: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR
6: October 17, 2006, 08:12:20 PM by
WilkI love mine, even though I had to send it in for sticky zoom ring - something a fair amount of owners have gone through. It's so versitile though - the size is a bit imposing but it's certainly not too heavy for me on the x. To me, VR makes the lens. Anything that can give me 3 extra stops is a total bonus for me, though it's a bit over sold with that respect. You cannot make a person sit still for a 200mm shot at 1/8th of a second. Still, I'm very pleased with the quality of this zoom. I rather side with the folks that put it very high on the list of their favorite lenses.
Steve
Re: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR
7: December 07, 2007, 12:47:09 AM by
kampicRe using this lens with the TC20EII - it can get you out of a tight spot, combined with HSC on the D2x it gives quite a reach. Pics will have less contrast and sharpness and you need to be at least at F8 which means forget it in low light. But if you need the reach it will get you a pic you wouldn't have got otherwise.
I use this lens almost everyday on a D2h, often in demanding situations or bad conditions. I have no hesitation in leaning on this lens relying on it to produce results.
Nail the focus and the sharpness in amazing. F2.8 is cretainly usuable just watch your focus, very easy to focus past your subject. F3.5 it shines and is around 3.5 - 4 I normally shoot
VR works for me at 1/10th of a second at 200mm. Don't know why. Each side is no good but at that speed I can hand hold and get a good shot.
Prior to this I had the AF-s 80-200 F2.8 and wished I had of kept it as a 2nd lens in this range. The 70-200 is sharper and more contrasty but there was nothing wrong with the 80-200. It also worked well with the TC20EII but with the same need to stop down. It would be a good combo with the 70-200 on a D2h and the 80-200 on the D2x in HSC mode.
Re: Review: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR
8: December 07, 2007, 01:16:17 AM by
AFSI'm on my second after my aborted brand switch, and while I realize its flaws this lens is indispensable.
It's good wide open...not great, but good. I usually shoot it at 3.5~4.5, sometimes 5.6 for the main stuff I do.
VR helps a lot, and the ergonomics improved greatly over the 80-200.
Flare is an issue if you're not careful, but it's a very complex zoom.
I'd love to see this design updated with VR-II, Nano crystal coat to reduce flare, and sharper wide open. There's nothing else that could really be improved.
Re: Review: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR
The bokeh is usually a sensation. Some may be better, but not many have the color rendition and contrast of this zoom.
It's fantastic with a 500D attached! The flexibility afforded by the zoom feature more than makes up when you consider that some dedicated, if not all, Micro('macro') lenses may be little bit sharper.
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W O R K S H O P S
