Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens

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As a former owner of Nikon’s 70-200f2.8 VRII, I well knew the positive and negative characteristics of this iconic lens. In 2013 I sold this lens in favor of the f4 model. The smaller, lighter and less costly Nikon 70-200f4, exceeded its big brother in every way except for maximum aperture. I felt I could live with F4 until I saw the specs and read the reviews of the newest offering from Nikon, the 70-200 f2.8E FL ED VR. Nikon’s claims for this were phenomenal. Not only did they seem to fix what we all disliked about its predecessor, but added several other improvements as well. So numerous were these improvements, I decided to make a list. I came up with 20 items! (1) closer focus, (2) minimal focus breathing, (3) better contrast, (4) less flare, (5) less weight, (6) better front to rear weight balance, (7) much shorter in the middle of the zoom range of 135mm, (8) sharper in the corners at all focal lengths, (9) Improved rock steady VR, (10) “sport” mode option on VR, (11) faster VR response times, (12) faster focusing, (13) four new memory buttons, (14) better bokeh, (15) better lens hood that allows for standing the lens on end, (16) electronic aperture, (17) metal filter threads, (18) better dust seals, (19) fluorite coatings on front and rear, (20) better with the TC-14EII, TC-17E11, and the TC-20EIII??????? Most all these claims have been verified in various reviews except for the tele-converter claim. And that is an important requirement for me. I do nature photography with an emphasis on birds. I own all three of Nikon’s tele-converters. These work extremely well on my Nikon 400mmf2.8 as one would expect. They also work well on my Nikon 300mmf4PF and decently on my Nikon 70-200F4. They were a mixed bag on the Nikon 70-200f2.8 VRII previously owned. When the new 70-200 lens arrived last week, I quickly set up some tests to see if, indeed, the newest version would not have the problems the older model did. I am very happy to report that all three tele-converters work very well with this newest offering. On my D500, this lens equaled or outperformed the following lenses at all possible focal combinations from 70 to 400mm. My tests were of distant steep wooded hills, and involved the following combinations: Nikon 300mmPF with and without all three tele-converters (this lens was slightly sharper when no tele-converter was attached) Nikon 80-400 f4.5,5.6 - A close second at longer focal lengths, equal at shorter focal lengths. Sigma 150-600 Contemporary - Same story as the Nikon 80-400 Nikon 70-400f4 with and without tele-converters - just ever so slightly less sharp over longer focal lengths. The newest 70-200f2.8E with and without tele-converters - equal or better than any of the above combinations with the exception of the 300mmf4 PF when no tele-converter was attached. What is really amazing is how all close all the above were in overall image quality. However, they do represent some of the best glass out there. Last but in no way the least: Nikon 400mmf2.8 - Don’t even think any of the above equaled the quality of this lens. (though they got amazingly close!) Not only do the tele-converters work well at the maximum telephoto range for 200mm but quite decent results occur throughout the 70-200mm range. Of course, one does not want to normally use tele-converters other than at the maximum zoom but it can be forced upon one, if there is no time to remove the tele-converter. In summary, this is a costly lens, but it does represent the state of the art, and is one of Nikons best attempts to give us the ultimate in quality. This lens is like owning a Ferrari. Beautiful to look at but meant to be driven by someone who understands what it really can do, and has driven lots of other sport cars in the past.

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Everyone complains about the change in the focusing ring but honestly, you can get used to it in a few minutes of using it and with the tripod attachment resting on your palm as you use the camera, the flipped focusing system feels more natural. This lens is sharp, fast, and capable of whatever you use it for. I use is on both the Nikon D750 and D7200 and both work perfectly with it. Highly recommend but I know the price of it is pretty scary, but as the updated versions of the holy trinity are rolling out. You wont need any upgrade for the next 7-10 years with this purchase. A great investment in my opinion.

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Just got it. I can tell from just looking through it that it will be very sharp, bright and the focusing will be extremely fast and quiet. Amazon software assigned a bad tracking number to the "track package" button on the orders page with the result that it was impossible to track the order for this very expensive lens while it was four days late.. Felicia in the concierge department went all out to help me resolve the issue. I wish all Amazon employee were as helpful as she was. UPDATE: The reviews of this lens claim that angels will sing when you mount this lens on your Nikon; that fairy dust will sprinkle; that the photographer with enter a state of nirvanic optical bliss upon gazing at the pictures this lens produces. Yeah right! --- But guess what? Its all true! Just looked at some pictures and I am floating a foot off the ground. The lens is beyond phenomenal. I cant help thinking that this lens can produce major works of art without even taking the lens cap off. I have a friend who is an accomplished painter. We pointed the camera at random and snapped the shutter a few times. We agreed that the pictures were beautiful. Ah, but the price, especially if you are not rich or a big time pro, neither of which I am. How can I justify 3K for a lens? The answer lies in a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. “My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends— It gives a lovely light!”

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What can I say? This is the best lens I have ever had the pleasure to use. I still cant believe how crisp and clear all of my images are. I see no barrel distortion or chromatic aberration. It is lighter than the previous model and has 4 stops of vibration reduction! You can remove the tripod collar or just the foot if you wish. The buttons work very well when I want to aiutofocus with those and then shoot with the main button, just like using back button autofocus. The bokeh in portraits is creamy and smooth and when I couple it with the TC20E III teleconverter I can get some great wildlife shots, even with the increase in f stop to 5.6. I cannot recommend this lens enough.

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I must say this is an outstanding lens producing very clear pictures. Used it on my first shoot of a high school basketball game on my D4. It does take some time to get use to the focus buttons and moving the zoom ring to the front. But, this is not a problem. Great lens. It’s a keeper even with the extra cost over and above the 70-200G. I shoot both high school football and basketball under horrible lighting conditions. My settings using my D4: F2.8, Shutter at least 1000. ISO 12800, White balance K at4550. You can take out any noise in post with Lightroom or PS. But, still take some test shots to check your white balance. Mix your shots between horizontal and vertical.

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Make no mistake about it, this is not a budget lens. And there are plenty of sharp lenses that cost a fraction of this lens. However, there is a reason why just about all Nikon professionals have this in their camera bag and that is because there is not much this lens cannot do. I currently only own two lenses (this and the 24-70 f/2.8E VR) and they cover all my needs. In the past, Ive tried to save money here and there - basing decisions on things like lab tests (hey, this 24-120 scored as high up to 70mm as the 24-70 and costs half the price). Guess what, I ultimately lost money as I wound up upgrading anyway. Lab tests dont tell the story, when I switched the difference was night and day. Okay, this is not about the 24-70mm, but both belong in the same category. One of my biggest needs comes in challenging light scenarios, often during sunrise and sunset shoots. Stop this down to f/2.8 and you can easily focus without needing external light in all but basically pitch black scenarios. Images are pin sharp from corner to corner. About the only complaint I have would be that it can sometimes be tougher to find compositions that call for a 70-200mm lens. With that said, it can be a great choice to "compress" scenes (think woodland). One other tip, if you do a lot of tripod work, invest in an after market tripod foot as the Nikon one can be a bit underwhelming. I use the Really Right Stuff version and it plants the lens firm on the ball head.

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The focus speed is easily 5x faster than the Tamron 24-70 2.8 I normally shoot with. It stays clear to the edge as expected. The focus speed made all the difference in the world when I was taking photos at an air show. I had missed some shots the year prior using other lenses that didnt focus nearly as fast. It could focus on a plane in the time it took me to spot the blur in the lens, then held easily for zooming in for the shot. I have it paired with a D750 body. It is not a great walk around lens, being a telephoto and all, however, if you are looking for a sports lens or longer distance portrait option. This lens is worth the money.

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This lens is AMAZING! I’m comparing it to an “SLR” 70-200 from the 80’s and 70-200 from 00’s; and various Primes in that range. The edge clarity, speed and Bokeh are top tier. The Vibration Control is excellent. Focus speed is incredible. Build quality is solid as a tank. Limited lens flare. Perfect? No. What goof at Nikon put the zoom ring in the far front??? That Manager needs to kneel in the center of the Nikon employee entrance and perform Seppuku as a warning to other incomprehensibly ignorant decision makers. Lost a star over that decision. One last niggling problem is the tripod mount. I don’t like the foot. For this price it should have been an Arca or convertible Arca-Manfrotto foot. Otherwise, I happily recommend it. Well worth the price!

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Update: The replacement works as expected. Sharp at 70mm, 85mm, 135mm and 200mm. 200mm is razor sharp. I am satisfied. Thanks Amazon for the smooth transaction. Keeper. Old review: I had this lens for a week and Ive done rigorous testing of this lens with all focus modes on my D810. AF-S, AF-C, S, group, d9, d21, auto, 3D, tripod, no tripod, test chart, indoor, outdoor, you name it. I cant believe the 70mm is not even sharper than my Tamron 24-70 2.8 G2. The only sharp focus is 200mm with 135mm falls behind a little. If you do AF fine tuning, all focal lengths got unexpected results. I am so disappointed. Currently I am requesting a replacement and I will update this review after another painful testing. I sold my 70-200 2.8 VRII with a big discount for this because of the raving reviews on the internet. What a mistake. Should have tested it first. For a lens this expensive and native to Nikon top notch DSLR, it should perform perfectly out of box.

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Absolutely impressed with the stunning images from this lens. I primarily shoot primes but caved in and got this for convenience sake. So glad that I did. On my FX, focus is super quick and dead on. Bokeh is quite nice and subjects appear in 3D like quality that is wonderful. I really am impressed with this one. Build quality is excellent.

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