Nikkor 70-200 f/4 -- Anyone have or tried it?

[bluestang]

Always wanted the 70-200 f/2.8, but never will have the funds (along with my 200-400 dream lense). Now that they brought out a 70-200 f/4 version, it is in reach if I sell some other lenses. Looks to be a great lense for taking portraits of my kids doing everyday things while not noticing that I'm taking their photo

Anyone have experience with is lens?

[RADCOM]

I have the 70-200 2.8 and I am very happy with it (apart from the weight of course) what are the exact differences between this and the F4 apart from a few stops?

[4hams]

I hear ya on the funds! What body do ya use? I have the D5100 and this lens is really fantastic for the money. http://www.henrys.com/847-NIKON-AF-S...-6G-IF-ED.aspx

Yes it is a little soft @ 300mm but the price is great!

Be sure to click on the reviews tab.

[Mescalamba]

Smaller a bit, weights only 850g (2.8 weights almost double). Doesnt have tripod collar, unless you buy one. Its sharper. Bit more distortions. Bit more CA (or rather say, different distribution). Not weather sealed.

Contains aspherical glass, which in this case result in bit "onion" bokeh sometimes. Not particulary nice bokeh.

If someone wants "light", sharp telephoto zoom with VR, its a good choice. Just not sure if second hand prices of 70-200/2.8 VR1 wont be close to price of new 70-200/4 VR.

[Darakian]

Sounds like a good wildlife lens.

[bluestang]

I hear ya on the funds! What body do ya use? I have the D5100 and this lens is really fantastic for the money. http://www.henrys.com/847-NIKON-AF-S...-6G-IF-ED.aspx

Thanks. I have the D300 with grip. I already have Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 so other than VR I'm not gaining much and I don't use that lens much anymore now, but need to get back to using the macro feature on it this spring.

Just not sure if second hand prices of 70-200/2.8 VR1 wont be close to price of new 70-200/4 VR.

Thanks. Good suggestion, never thought to look to see how the pricing compares. I'd take a well cared for 2.8 over a new 4 in the same pricing

Sounds like a good wildlife lens.

Thanks. Already have AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED and the 1.4x TC for that

[Darakian]

Thanks. Already have AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED and the 1.4x TC for that

So... two good wildlife lenses? :p
I kid. I hear this thing is great all around. It seems like the perfect lens to take hiking or on a long expedition given it's weight.

[Andreas]

Anyone have experience with is lens?

Yes.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1160567/0

[bluestang]

Thanks Andy...some good reading and samples there. Appreciate the review

[bluestang]

Been looking around the different photo forums I belong to and looks like I could pick up a nice 70-200 2.8 VRI (and even a VRII here and there) for about the same price as the f4. I may go that route as the 2.8 could be a tad more beneficial in certain situations.

Of course, looking for that I ran across a few 300mm f/2.8 VR lenses that had me thinking more about my wildlife photography. Time to sell some extra Hard Drives and SSDs I have and start saving!

And I thought crunching was addictive!

[nuclearjock]

The big Nikon primes have no equal. I own the 300 VR, 400 VR and 500 VR and all have unreal IQ, (the 400 is tops of the three). The 300 will take all three nikon TC's beautifully if you decide you need more reach. If you be patient and save, the 300 VR is absolutely awesome and light enough to hand hold. Good luck.

[bluestang]

The big Nikon primes have no equal. I own the 300 VR, 400 VR and 500 VR and all have unreal IQ, (the 400 is tops of the three). The 300 will take all three nikon TC's beautifully if you decide you need more reach. If you be patient and save, the 300 VR is absolutely awesome and light enough to hand hold. Good luck.

Yep, that's the plan...patience and save. I've seen the 300 VRI going used in excellent condition in the low $4k range compared to the $5800 new price tag for the VRII. I may go that route, not sure. A 5 year warranty going new is a nice piece of mind, but not sure it's a $1700 piece. I already have the TC-14E so I would only pick up the newer TC-20E III to pair with it. Of course, if Nikon finally gets off the arse and releases the D300/D300s replacement that may throw a kink in my chain.

[Soulburner]

The Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is almost the same price as the Nikon 70-200 f/4.

So really what you'd be deciding is, whether the extra size and weight of the 2.8 is acceptable or not. If it is, go for the Sigma since the price is the same. If not, get the Nikon f/4.

The Nikon 70-200 2.8 is a different, and expensive, beast.