nikon 70-200 2.8 vr

[GARYHINDS]

has any nody this and what is your opinion. is it worth the the dollars

thanks

gary

[gaopa2]

Gary, the 70-200/2.8 VR is big, heavy and expensive.... and worth every dime you pay for it and the effort to carry it! I have used this lens for almost two years now and it is my favorite Nikkor and I am fortunate to have some nice Nikkor lenses. If you can swing it, go for it....you won't regret it!

Here are two photos taken on Wed night at an outdoor concert using a Nikon D300/70-200/2.8 VR and ISO 800. Cheers, Bill P.

[cyclohexane]

is it worth the the dollars

Yes. There's a reason it is one of the staples in the bags of many, many photographers. Focuses fast, sharp, good bokeh, the VR works...

[drew.zinck]

I have it as well and I would say that it was worth every penny I paid. Between sports and weddings, I have used it quite a bit and would be completely lost without it.

[RvA944]

Hello All,

Not trying to highjack the thread but how much difference is there between the 70-200f/2.8 VR & 80-200f/2.8 I was just about to pull the trigger and order the 80-200 when I saw this thread and I figured I better ask first? Is the VR really needed? I want it for a portrait/indoor sports lens.

Best,
Roger

[dougste]

Roger, I have used mine for both basketball and volleyball for a number of years and VR is not needed. As far as portrait use, tripod would be a no and handheld yes. The VR is very effective when hand holding this lens. I think optically they would be about the same.

Doug

Originally Posted by RvA944

Hello All,

Not trying to highjack the thread but how much difference is there between the 70-200f/2.8 VR & 80-200f/2.8 I was just about to pull the trigger and order the 80-200 when I saw this thread and I figured I better ask first? Is the VR really needed? I want it for a portrait/indoor sports lens.

Best,
Roger

[cyclohexane]

how much difference is there between the 70-200f/2.8 VR & 80-200f/2.8

The VR lens has AF-S, which means it focuses faster, silently, and you can override the autofocus at any time by simply turning the focusing ring. If you have a D1/H/X or a F5 the speed advantage of the VR lens is pretty much moot, but on any other camera the 80-200 is slower.

The VR lens is sharper wide open and renders blurry backgrounds in a more pleasing fashion. The background advantage really isn't that big, especially if you're shooting sports.

Both are really well-built, but the VR lens has a rubber gasket around the mount and the filter ring; less chance for dust/moisture to enter the camera/lens combination while the lens is mounted. Construction shouldn't be a big factor in your decision, though when I hold one lens in each hand the VR lens inspires more confidence.

There is an 80-200 AF-S available on the used market that is sharper wide open than the current AF version still available new, and it also focuses as fast as the 70-200 VR.

Is the VR really needed? I want it for a portrait/indoor sports lens

For sports, no. You'll see minimal gains, especially since you'll be shooting at 1/500 of a second or faster. The minimal improvement in AF accuracy from VR stabilizing the edges of the image as it reaches the viewfinder makes pretty much no difference in sports.

[g-man]

It's worth every penny that it costs. The VR is useful for slower shutter pans.









And with the TC-17 II

[Gary Mayo]

This lens set to 100mm is as sharp of a glass product as you will see coming from a 2.8 lens. Period.

All other MM's are darn good also. Pro Glass all the way!

[RvA944]

Thanks guys, Now to make up mind..... again

g-man, nice pics

[g-man]

Originally Posted by RvA944

Thanks guys, Now to make up mind..... again

g-man, nice pics

Thanks RvA944

[RvA944]

g-man I love the mud flying around in #1

[photofox]

I've decided to pick this lens up as well. Of course nowhere seems to have it in stock for very long. Amazon emailed me a day or two ago to say it was available from J&R Music World for 1799 but by the time I read the email it was out of stock again! It was available for a little while from another Amazon vendor but they wanted 2199 which seems too high to me.

How much did others pay who recently picked one up?

[GARYHINDS]

bh photo has it for 1624 no tax

gary

[cannockwolf]

i had my first decent session with mine and i am already in love with it!

[euglan]

mine arrives in 3 days from b&h can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Montec]

I use mine for portraits...beautiful.