D3 + 70-200/f2.8 Good Combo?

[stefeb]

I'm renting a D3 with the 24-70/f2.8 for a week, and am loving this camera/lens combination. However, I want to use this primarily in the studio, and the use of the 70-200/f2.8 is something I'd want.

However, I've read mostly negative reviews of this particular lens on the D3. Problems being vingnetting, and flaring.

Had anyone here been shooting with this combination (D3 +70-200)? And, if so, your thoughts.

I'm ready to pull the trigger, but the 70-200 question is holding me back.

For the record, I'm a Canon shooter, 5D, and simply like the D3 since it seems to be a do it all camera.

Thanks.

[cyclohexane]

I've read mostly negative reviews of this particular lens on the D3. Problems being vingnetting, and flaring.

Actually, the D3-specific problems are vignetting and corner-to-corner sharpness issues. The 70-200 has flare issues regardless of which camera you've got it attached to.

One of our shooters shoots with a D3 and the 70-200, and we really haven't had any problems with the image quality from this combination at all. Of course, he's shooting mostly sports, where you don't really see the corner sharpness issues because the background's blurry anyways.

[stefeb]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Actually, the D3-specific problems are vignetting and corner-to-corner sharpness issues. The 70-200 has flare issues regardless of which camera you've got it attached to.

One of our shooters shoots with a D3 and the 70-200, and we really haven't had any problems with the image quality from this combination at all. Of course, he's shooting mostly sports, where you don't really see the corner sharpness issues because the background's blurry anyways.

Thanks for that info.

I'm mainly interested in using the D3 for portrait work, both on location and in the studio. So, I don't believe the corners would be a big issue since the eye is drawn to the subject, and the background are usually blurred (on location) or plain colors (studio), and blurred somewhat, but not to the extent as the outside locations.

Having said that, it would also be great, while I'm out and about if something noteworthy happens, I'd have the fps to capture the event.

[Songman45]

Interesting conversation. Our company owner recently purchased a D3, primarily to check out the high ISO claims. I've seen some work with a 70-200 f2.8 with a 1:4 teleconverter he's shot. I contend that the frames are vignetted and contend that's a result of the converter. He argues that I'm seeing naturally occurring shadow with a highlight central to the image. I'd like to hear more on this vignette issue with the D3

[Gary Mayo]

I see no problems with my D3/70-200mm VR combo. I do miss the reach I get with the extra 1.5 push I get on my DX D300. The better high ISO's make me park the D300.

[stefeb]

Originally Posted by lincolninked

I see no problems with my D3/70-200mm VR combo. I do miss the reach I get with the extra 1.5 push I get on my DX D300. The better high ISO's make me park the D300.

Thanks, Gary. I've almost pulled the trigger on getting the D3 more time than I can count. I'm going to wait until 7/1, and see what Nikon may announce.

The thing I love most about the D3 is the ability to use a 5:4 format. It speeds up my PP work immensely. I can frame in the camera and know I'll have a perfect 8x10. Of course, I've learned to crop loosely in the camera to allow for later cropping, but I'd love to be able to use all the pixels in the picture, without having to crop later.

This may be a small feature to most D3 users, what with the low ISO, fps capability, but the 5:4 aspect ration is the one thing about the D3 that floats my boat.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Actually, the D3-specific problems are vignetting and corner-to-corner sharpness issues. The 70-200 has flare issues regardless of which camera you've got it attached to.

One of our shooters shoots with a D3 and the 70-200, and we really haven't had any problems with the image quality from this combination at all. Of course, he's shooting mostly sports, where you don't really see the corner sharpness issues because the background's blurry anyways.

I've not had any issues with the combination. Mind you, there's a menu item in the D3 menu for vignette control just like D-lighting. You can tweak it. I set mine to NORM when using the 70-200 and it doesn't appear to be an issue on any of my images. I've noticed some vignette but you really have to look for it. The 70-200 is an excellent performer ... don't sweat it at all.

Julio