Comments on Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, please.

Pixel Popper

Greetings,

I am seriously contemplating the purchase of the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens with VR (vibration reduction/image stabilization) and I was wondering if those of you who have it in your bag could share a bit about your experiences with it.

I am particularly interested in seeing people post some images made with this lens in LOW LIGHT situations. I shoot a lot in large scale indoor venues, many with deeply saturated specialty lighting, and am trying to determine if this would be a good lens for my uses.

Also, if you care to add a few words summing up the pros and cons you have experienced while using this lens, I would greatly appreciate hearing about it. Thanks!

So, don't be shy. Post away...

billg71

All I can say is WOW!
Howard, the 70-200 is, IMHO, absolutely awesome! I was perfectly happy with my 80-200/2.8 D until I used a friend's copy of this lens for a few minutes, then it was off to the races...:D I sold the 80-200, the 20-35, and a NIB FM-3A to finance the purchase and have no regrets whatsoever.

I don't have any low-light shots from this lens to show you, but here's a shot wide open at 200mm, ISO400:



And almost the same shot at f8:


After looking at these, I was absolutely amazed at how little difference there was in IQ and sharpness between wide-open and 3 stops down. There IS a small difference, but you have to look at the original files at 100% to be able to see it.

The 70-200VR is an incredible example of what Nikon can produce. Whether it fits your needs and your budget is a question you have to answer for yourself.

Bill

Pixel Popper

Thanks, Bill, I appreciate you sharing these shots. Looks awesome! Well, I couldn't wait. I went ahead and ordered the lens earlier today. It will be some days before it arrives on my doorstep, but from what I see here, I'm sure I'll be pleased.

Again, thank you.

billg71

Pixel Popper wrote:

Thanks, Bill, I appreciate you sharing these shots. Looks awesome! Well, I couldn't wait. I went ahead and ordered the lens earlier today. It will be some days before it arrives on my doorstep, but from what I see here, I'm sure I'll be pleased.

Again, thank you.

Howard, after consulting my crystal ball and especially considering what you're using for glass now, I hereby predict that you will not only be pleased, you'll be astounded! bow

Stock up on Band-Aids, you may cut yourself on the files you get from the 70-200! I did....

Bill

jww

Pixel Popper wrote:

Thanks, Bill, I appreciate you sharing these shots. Looks awesome! Well, I couldn't wait. I went ahead and ordered the lens earlier today. It will be some days before it arrives on my doorstep, but from what I see here, I'm sure I'll be pleased.

Again, thank you.

Congrats on the purchase! Simply said, you will love it.. It is amazingly sharp.

Mitchell

Check out this thread for some thoughts and pics.

http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=60223

Pixel Popper

Mitchell wrote:

Check out this thread for some thoughts and pics.

http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=60223

Mitchell, thanks so much for pointing me to that thread. It was just the kind of dialogue I was hoping to find. As I mentioned earlier, I have ordered the VR 70-200, and I can't wait until it arrives. I'll post some pictures here after I give it a test run. I have some jobs coming up that seem tailor made for this lens.