Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF VR Zoom-Nikkor

Nikon Lens Test

Purpose is to identify the differences between the following three Nikon lenses with regard to their sharpness and contrast: Camera used was a Nikon D300, ISO 200.

Nikon Lenses:

1) Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
2) Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR
3) Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm f 4-5.6

Test Environment:

Tests for each lens were conducted on a tripod at approximately 3 meters from the subject: Three combinations were tested:

1) Focal length 70mm at f4.5, f8 and f11
2) Focal length 135mm at f4.5, f8 and f11
3) Focal length 200mm* at f4.5, f8 and f11

Note: For the Nikon 70-300 at focal length of 135mm and 200mm for the f4.5 aperture test set, f-stop achievable was f4.8 and f5.3 respectively, for the Nikon 70-210 at 200mm, f-stop achievable was f5.6. * Focal length for the 70-210mm 200 test set was 210mm.

Shutter speeds varied depending on f-stop from 1/2000s for the 70-200mm (200mm @ f4.5) to 1/100 for the 70-210 (135mm @ f11).

Weather:

Weather was partly overcast with a slight breeze, moving the subject slightly on occasion, not sure if this could lead to interference but might impact contrast so my ranking for the lenses is limited to picture sharpness.

Conclusion:

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR outperformed on average more often then not, however I think there may be flaws in this test and I will perform another in the near future which limits external interferences. I was surprised with the performance of the old 70-210mm AF.

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR is worth the investment, though the 70-300mm at f8 and greater performs very well for the money and a good alternative if you don't want to but the 70-200mm f2.8. If you have older lenses like the 70-210mm you can keep them they still take a great shot.

Continued enlargement of 70-210mm lens shots at 210mm results in a light blue hue around the subject.

I bought this lens to replace my Sigma 70-200 F2.8 HSM lens. It was a good lens, but the AF speed wasn't cutting it for the sports I was shooting, so I was looking to upgrade.

After getting the Nikon, I put each lens on a D2h body & tested the AF, which the Nikon blew the Sigma away. The next soccer tournament I went to shoot (and other events after that) I had a hard time picking out which photo in a burst I wanted to keep, instead of trying to find the one in focus, they all came out beautiful.

The VR is real. I've done a couple low light wedding receptions and being able to hand hold that lens to get cross room candids and have them sharp is well worth the extra $$ over any of the other lens options.

VR
Body build
Constant 2.8
AF Speed

Weight, but after a few days using it it doesn't bother me anymore
Lens hood likes to fall off, so I resort to using a little gaffer's tape and taping it in place

Nikon 80-200 F2.8 ED
Sigma 70-200 F2.8 HSM DG

Haven't had to use it for the lens, but other camera bodies I've sent it have been returned quickly, and I've found Nikon's CS to be fantastic.

This lens is a masterpiece of quality engineering and optics

While making my decision to purchase, I had some deliberation over costs of cheaper alternatives like Sigma 70-200 F2.8 and the non VR Nikon at ½ the price. The build quality fast aperture and VR were the key reasons. The price .... Well I’ve never regretted quality!

The ability to take shots in relatively low light to keep shutter speeds high and ensure freezing of subject movement, reduces the need Image Stabilization. Using this lens at F2.8 gives sharp images; there is little point in having a fast tele lens if its not fully usable at all apertures.

Used with the TC 1.4 AFS Teleconverter the results are exceptional. A 280mm F4 lens is fairly useful for wildlife. I tried the 2x converter for more reach; but as it makes it a touch soft at wide apertures; so I decided on the 1.4

It is interesting to compare results to my other tele zoom Lenses: Nikon 70-300 G and 18-200VR The 18-200VR does the job, but I never had many images that have WOW factor! I had better results with my cheap 70-300 G lens; which wore out after several years hard use. I genuinely thought that replacing it with the 18-200 would be a good move; I just didn’t get such nice images.

As soon as I started using 70-200 F2.8, my photos came alive with breathtaking sharpness color and a romantic quality; which cannot be justified by numbers, Dollars, or pixels. This is a fabulous piece of kit; which on build and image quality alone; can justify its purchase.

• Wonderful image quality and sharpness
• Performance at F2.8
• Performance with 1.4x Teleconverter
• A constant aperture at all focal lengths
• Uncompromising build quality
• Fast, focusing speed
• Image stabilization VR
• Neat rotating tripod mount

• No compromises in construction means that this lens is heavy
• Similarly the build quality makes it expensive

Nikon 70-300G and 18-200VR

I fell in love for the first time about 6 years ago when I met my, now, wife.

I fell in love a second time upon taking delivery of my wonderful Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR lens.

I've used this lens for all of 2 days and right from the moment I shot off my first test picture, I knew I was holding pure quality in my hands. Nearly every picture I've taken during this 'test' period has amazed me at the clarity of the image. The only weakness to date is the photographer!

When I take a shot with this lens attached to my D200 I know, even after a short period of ownership, that my success rate of 'keepers' is very, very high compared to my previous lens (Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 - nice lens, but just not in the same league as the Nikon).

Ok we all know its expensive (escpecially in the UK where we always seem to pay lots more than anywhere else in the world) and when you've made the purchase, you think 'goodness, what have I done', but when you see what this lens produces, you can certainly justify the cost.

I'm not an expert at photography as yet, but I do know that this lens produces extraordinarily high quality images.

Probably my greatest lens purchase to date and, probably, forever.

Every single thing is perfect.

With such perfection, I cannot see the weight and price as weaknesses - so I would say no weaknesses at all.

Nikon 85mm F1.8
Nikon 50mm F1.8
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8

Not experienced

While making my decision to purchase, I had some deliberation over costs of cheaper alternatives like Sigma and the non VR Nikon at ½ the price . The Sigma 70-200 F2.8 seemed pretty good; but as I am intending to use a Nikon 1.4 teleconverter; from time to time; I wanted no compromise. I was not going to be happy with the old Nikon 80-200, F2.8 , simply because of its slow focusing.

My photographic style is more analogue than digital. Using the Nikon 70-200 VR with a Fuji SLR; the combination of colour balance and quality of optics, gives a romantic feel to the image which cannot be justified by numbers, dollars, or pixels.

In the short time of use I have taken candid portraits which have a quality of smoothness ans sharp detiel which compared to consumer lenses; is like CD to vinyl records .

Overall this is a fabulous piece of kit; which on build and image quality alone; can justify its purchase.

The ability to take shots in relatively low light to keep shutter speeds high and ensure freezing of subject movement, makes Image Stabilization almost redundant.
I’ve yet to test the Active VR.

Overall this is a fabulous piece of kit which on buld and image quality alone

Uncompromising build quality
A constant fast aperture at all focal lengths
Fast accurate focusing
Wonderful image quality in sharpness and out of focus areas.
Excellent handling
Exceptional performance at F2.8
Manual focus overide control

Needs a professional SLR and good photographic skill to get the best from it.

Nikon 18-200 VR 3.5 -5..6
Nikon 70-300 F5.6 G