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- First reviewFebruary 7, 2017
- Last reviewFebruary 7, 2017
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MarkInOR's Reviews
Complete your professional camera setup with this telephoto zoom lens for Nikon F-mount cameras. The Silent Wave Motor powers ultra-fast, near-silent internal focusing with no breathing effect across the entire zoom range, and the Vibration Reduction technology helps to produce crisp images.
Customer Rating
5
Great build quality, performance, and features
on February 7, 2017
Posted by: MarkInOR
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased this new NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR to replace a trusted NIKKOR 80-200mm f/2.8D ED. For several years now the fantastic VR II had been tempting me but I am glad I waited a little longer. I am really enjoying this new lens and thought I should share what I have learned that led me to pull the trigger.
There are already quite a few reviews of the new lens since it came out and vast majority of them are overwhelmingly positive. What ultimately settled my decision is the MTF test results published by Mr. Roger Cicala at LensRentals.com. His tests compared NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR against NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. The MTF charts convincingly show the latest Nikon 70-200mm outshines the other two lenses (both excellent lenses by any measure) in optical performance through the entire zoom range. The improvement over VR II at 135mm in particular is especially dramatic. This simply means the new lens can produce images that are sharper across the entire frame and with more contract, a conclusion that has been confirmed by many reviewers.
Here is a link to the MTF results: www.lensrentals.com/blog/2016/11/nikon-70-200mm-f2-8e-fl-ed-af-s-vr-mtf-tests/. If for some reason the link is removed, you can google “nikon 70-200 fl mtf blog”.
In addition to the outstanding optical performance, a few other noteworthy improvements over the VR II version include:
* Faster and more accurate focus.
* Easily accessible AF lock buttons on lens barrel.
* Shorter minimum focus distance (3.6’ vs 4.6’)
* Improved VR capability with dedicated sport mode.
* Focus breathing at close focus (significant with VR II) generally eliminated
* Fluorine costing on front & rear elements for better protection against dust and moisture
* Slightly shorter (7.97” vs 8.09”)
* Slightly lighter (3.15lb vs 3.39lb)
* Faster and more accurate focus.
* Easily accessible AF lock buttons on lens barrel.
* Shorter minimum focus distance (3.6’ vs 4.6’)
* Improved VR capability with dedicated sport mode.
* Focus breathing at close focus (significant with VR II) generally eliminated
* Fluorine costing on front & rear elements for better protection against dust and moisture
* Slightly shorter (7.97” vs 8.09”)
* Slightly lighter (3.15lb vs 3.39lb)
I have only had the lens for a couple of weeks and it certainly met my elevated expectations. The new lens also paired really well with the Nikon TC-20E III teleconverter which make it into a 200-400mm f/5.6 AF VR lens. Image degradation is barely noticeable.
On the negative side, the switched focus and zoom ring positions seem to be a potential handling issue for some seasoned photographers. Given that the new layout is also opposite to that on the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8E VR, one can only assume the design decision is likely due to some engineering constraint. The switched position has not been much of an issue for me and should be a non-issue in a month or two.
This lens isn’t cheap. But its build quality, performance and features make it a great lens to own and enjoy for years to come.
Highly recommended.
My Best Buy number: 3499020603
My Best Buy number: 3499020603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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