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View Full Version : My Preciousssss Has Arrived: The Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8


Jason Dunn
02-10-2010, 08:00 PM
<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1265826633.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>After saving my pennies for many months, and re-directing incoming birthday and Christmas presents into the "Lens Fund", I'm thrilled to have finally purchased a lens I've had on my want list for two years: the <a href="http://www.nikon.ca/en/Product.aspx?m=14369" target="_blank">AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR II</a>. It's a beast of a lens, a full 209mm (8.2 inches) long, and weighs in at a hefty 1504 grams (3.4 pounds). I adore my 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and shoot with it 90% of the time, but the occasions when I need more reach mean I have to grab my 18-200 Nikkor lens or my Tamron 28-300mm. In the case of the Tamron, a lens I used earlier this week at an indoor pool where the light was awful, at maximum zoom it's an awful f/6.3. The Nikkor isn't much better at f/5.6. <MORE /></p><p>My photos from that day were high-ISO and generally not that great. If only this 70-200 had shown up a few days earlier! I'll be going back to the same location in a few weeks, so I'll get a chance to see how this lens performs. I'm not one of those photographers who thinks it's "all about the gear", but you can cheat physics: if there's not enough light, you need a faster lens. One thing is for sure though: I need to put the battery grip on my D300 to use this lens. Without the battery grip, the lens pulls the camera forward in a big way - and it's hard to counteract because the D300 body isn't very tall. I can see why this thing comes with a tripod support bracket - it will take some getting used to!</p>

Lee Yuan Sheng
02-11-2010, 01:06 AM
My photos from that day were high-ISO and generally not that great. If only this 70-200 had shown up a few days earlier! I'll be going back to the same location in a few weeks, so I'll get a chance to see how this lens performs.

Glad you're happy with your purchase, but um, who what where? Not sure what place and date you're talking about here...

John London
02-11-2010, 04:22 AM
I have the previous generation and love it for my D200. Tack sharp and very fast. I am jealous that you have the next generation. Now you need to go out and take some pics and post a few of them. :)

Jason Dunn
02-11-2010, 04:46 AM
Glad you're happy with your purchase, but um, who what where? Not sure what place and date you're talking about here...

"In the case of the Tamron, a lens I used earlier this week..."

I used the Tamron on Monday of this week to take pictures at an indoor pool - horrible lighting, and my wife and son were far enough away that I had to go out to near maximum zoom, which meant f/6.3, and 2000+ ISOs. Not real happy with those photos from a quality perspective, though they are of course still adorable - my son's first swimming lessons. :D

Jason Dunn
02-11-2010, 04:49 AM
I have the previous generation and love it for my D200. Tack sharp and very fast.

That previous generation was of course the lens I had my eye on, then Nikon released this new one late last year, and I had a new goal - but an even higher price tag! I pondered for a bit about getting the older lens vs. the newer one, but ultimately I decided I might regret it if I got the older one and wonder with every photo "Hey, I wonder if that newer lens would be better...".

Now you need to go out and take some pics and post a few of them. :)

Haha, yeah, now that I have this pricey lens I have to use it! I haven't done much serious shooting lately...mostly pictures of my kid, who's my new favourite subject. :D:D:D

Jorj Bauer
02-11-2010, 12:50 PM
...AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR II. It's a beast of a lens, a full 209mm (8.2 inches) long, and weighs in at a hefty 1504 grams (3.4 pounds).

Nice! Now you just need the 'pack mule' accessory, and you'll be all set. Until the next thing you need comes along. Trust me, I know. ;)

Lee Yuan Sheng
02-11-2010, 07:12 PM
I recall the D300 being pretty ok at 1600, and I can do 3200 if needed. 2000 shouldn't be too bad...

Still, f/6.3 is really slow. Don't have any lens as slow as that.

You going to add a TC14EII to give it extra reach?

Jason Dunn
02-11-2010, 07:14 PM
Nice! Now you just need the 'pack mule' accessory, and you'll be all set. Until the next thing you need comes along. Trust me, I know. ;)

Yeah, with a lens this big I need to re-do my gear bag. This giant thing might finally be useful to me:

http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/95599/carry-it-all-with-the-lowepro-slingshot-aw350.html

:D

Jason Dunn
02-11-2010, 10:01 PM
I recall the D300 being pretty ok at 1600, and I can do 3200 if needed. 2000 shouldn't be too bad...

It's not awful at ISO 2000, you're right, it's more that the light was so weird in there with the water reflecting everything...I just wasn't pleased with how the photos turned out.

Still, f/6.3 is really slow. Don't have any lens as slow as that.

Yeah, I bought that Tamron lens as a "shooting outside on a bright sunny day" lens. It's definitely not a great indoor lens when there's not a lot of light...

You going to add a TC14EII to give it extra reach?

I've never used a teleconverter before, but it would be a nice addition to this lens - it's not awful giving up a stop when you're at 2.8 to start with. The TC-20E III doubles the lens length...wow! $599 CAD though here. The TC-20E IIis $399, but drops it by two stops. Seen any good reviews of teleconverters?

Lee Yuan Sheng
02-12-2010, 12:52 AM
With a TC you're effectively magnifying the output optically. It also magnifies any flaws etc. Be prepared to stop down the lens another stop with the 2x to get better results, apart from the light loss; meaning expect to use the lens at f/8 with a 2x TC.

Still, Nikon did just come up with the TC20eIII. No idea how good that'll be though.