Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.67 of 5,
3 votes

Price Paid:  $1100.00 from AJ Purdy

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
Every single thing is perfect.

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

Similar Products Used:
Nikon 85mm F1.8
Nikon 50mm F1.8
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8

Customer Service:
Not experienced

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $1650.00 from Nikon centre Phnom P

Summary:
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

Strengths:
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

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

Similar Products Used:
Nikon 18-200 VR 3.5 -5..6
Nikon 70-300 F5.6 G

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $1800.00 from NY Camera

Summary:
The AF-S VR 70-200/2.8 G replaces my older 80-200/2.8 lenses (AF-D and -S).
When buying the 70-200, the main reason was VR, so I was quite excited to also get far better image quality.
VR is still the most important new feature, allowing me to capture good images in situations where I was typically lost before. Another, very important feature for me is the ability to use teleconverters along with this lens and still get good images. On a journey, a 300/2.8 lens is one thing I definitely don't want to carry.

Strengths:
* Very good image quality
* Fast AF, but not the fastest though
* Still very good imaging with teleconverter TC14, almost good with TC20
* tack sharp at 4.0, 5.6; very good at 2.8

Weaknesses:
* heavy
* quite bulky to carry (good for shooting, though)
* with TC20 don't stop down more than once!

Similar Products Used:
Several lenses in the 70-210 range, such as:
* AF 70-210/4.5~5.6
* AF-D 80-200/2.8
* AF-S 80-200/2.8
* AF-D 85/1.4, 105/2.8 etc.

Customer Service:
not needed

Ryan - Photobox Studios

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
3 votes

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from eBay

Summary:
Do you shoot sports? Do you shoot weddings? Do you shoot photographs? Then get it. Nough said! Very well balanced. Superb construction. VR. Wider than before (70mm vs. 80 previously). Sharp. Fast. There is not much to complain about here. Every wedding and sports shooter I know carries this glass. It is my bread and butter lens for the majority of my work. Coupeling it with a 2x converter gives you a 140-400mm f/5.6 AF-S VR hand held!!!! Beat that! For most photographers... if you buy one pro lens and don't need the wider focal lengths (17-55mm AF-S f/2.8 DX for that) then get this lens. It is stunning and VR works well.

Strengths:
Focal Range
Build
Balance
77mm Pro filter size
VR
AF-S very fast (only my 300mm AF-S f/2.8 is faster at locking)
Fast constant aperture
Professional throughout

Weaknesses:
Price New
Weight for some (I don't mind it so much)

Similar Products Used:
None. Sigma offers one but without OS (Sigma's VR) It is less expensive, but only you can determine the difference for yourself. This is one lens I would NOT pass up for a third party one.

Customer Service:
Never needed

VinnyP!

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5,
8 votes

Price Paid:  $1110.00 from Ebay

Summary:
The 70-200 Nikon 2.8 has always been awesome but this one is amazing. The VR really works and the focusing is quiet and fast even with 1.4 1.7 and (in ideal conditions) 2x convertors. It's a long time since I used a non nikon at this focal length but I would be astonished if the independants could hold a candle to it. It is well balanced and has a good tripod support. I use it for sports if I can get close to the action and it's also very good as an outdoor portrait and candid lens. It's pin sharp wide open and throughout the zoom range and all aberations are kept well in check. Even the lens hood has a lock (unlike my old model) so it stays on.

If you are considering this lens for fast moving subjects in available light and it covers the focal lengths you need then you have to look no further. If you don't need the 2.8 then more compact better value lenses with a longer zoom range should be on your shopping list.

Strengths:
Image quality build quality, focusing, speed and handling

Weaknesses:
Really nit picking but if forced I'd say the "tripod detect" doesn't seem to worm work.

Similar Products Used:
Non VR 80-200 2.8