Photographer
Aaron Lewis Photography
Posts: 5217
Catskill, New York, US
Has anyone shot with Nikon's new 70 - 200 4.0? I was just reading the review it Professional Photographer. They basically said you'll get the same quality images with one less stop available of course. What makes it attractive is the $1000 savings http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Produc … ED-VR.html Anyone know anything about it?
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
I've had one for a short while - not had a chance to shoot it for real yet - it seems "dense" in my hand - while it's a tonne lighter and smaller than the f2.8VRII version, it does feel kinda weighty to me.... focus is *bam* looks as sharp as I could want playing around with it - I'll be shooting some beauty work tomorrow and will bring it along for a few shots so I should have more to say soon.....
Photographer
R Michael Walker
Posts: 11987
Costa Mesa, California, US
Fotografica Gregor wrote: I've had one for a short while - not had a chance to shoot it for real yet - it seems "dense" in my hand - while it's a tonne lighter and smaller than the f2.8VRII version, it does feel kinda weighty to me.... focus is *bam* looks as sharp as I could want playing around with it - I'll be shooting some beauty work tomorrow and will bring it along for a few shots so I should have more to say soon..... Which body are you using?
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
R Michael Walker wrote: Which body are you using? the zippy focus and sharpness was achieved on the D800 I will be shooting tomorrow with the D800 or D3x or both....
Photographer
Aaron Lewis Photography
Posts: 5217
Catskill, New York, US
Hmm sounds like something to seriously consider.
Photographer
J Kegley Photographer
Posts: 489
Renton, Washington, US
Simple solution. Go to Borrowlenses.com and rent one for a few days. That way you know for sure. Not that expensive and gives you real world experience in shooting the way you work, not the way some other photographer works.
Photographer
Aaron Lewis Photography
Posts: 5217
Catskill, New York, US
J Kegley Photographer wrote: Simple solution. Go to Borrowlenses.com and rent one for a few days. That way you know for sure. Not that expensive and gives you real world experience in shooting the way you work, not the way some other photographer works. They just had some deals for the holidays too. I think I'll do just that. Thanks
Photographer
R Michael Walker
Posts: 11987
Costa Mesa, California, US
Fotografica Gregor wrote: the zippy focus and sharpness was achieved on the D800 I will be shooting tomorrow with the D800 or D3x or both.... Thanks..I'm looking at this lens for my D800 as it becomes available. I tested the F/2.8 version and it's perfection. But I'd trade a stop of light for $1000 IF the resolution is still the same.
Photographer
You Can Call Me Pierre
Posts: 800
Loma Linda, California, US
I am concerned about focus breathing. I am rather happy with the fantastic performance of the 70-300 VR. In my hands on comparisons, the performance was equivalent on the D7000 and D600.
Photographer
Aaron Lewis Photography
Posts: 5217
Catskill, New York, US
gl-amour wrote: I am concerned about focus breathing. I am rather happy with the fantastic performance of the 70-300 VR. In my hands on comparisons, the performance was equivalent on the D7000 and D600. I had one of the 70-300 a while back. I don't recall if it was the VR one or not. I'm pretty sure it was but all I can say is I couldn't wait to get the thing out of my bag and onto eBay. Hated everything about it. I replaced it with the 18-200 which I'm not 100% thrilled with either.
Photographer
ImageX
Posts: 998
Saint Louis, Missouri, US
You lose more than just a stop of light with the F4 over the F2.8. You also lose a little cream as well. Might as well save a little more and get everything a Nikon 70-200 can offer... instead of almost everything.
Photographer
FullMetalPhotographer
Posts: 2797
Fresno, California, US
Aaron Lewis Photography wrote: Has anyone shat with Nikon's new 70 - 200 4.0? I was just reading the review it Professional Photographer. They basically said you'll get the same quality images with one less stop available of course. What makes it attractive is the $1000 savings http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Produc … ED-VR.html Anyone know anything about it? A friend brought one by, For me it is to expensive for that slow of glass. I rather have a lens that is F/2.8 without VR than an f/4 with VR.
Photographer
R Michael Walker
Posts: 11987
Costa Mesa, California, US
ImageX wrote: You lose more than just a stop of light with the F4 over the F2.8. You also lose a little cream as well. Might as well save a little more and get everything a Nikon 70-200 can offer... instead of almost everything. Not enough to value it at $1K. If I want more bokeh I have the 85mm F/1.8 for that.
Photographer
R Michael Walker
Posts: 11987
Costa Mesa, California, US
gl-amour wrote: I am concerned about focus breathing. I am rather happy with the fantastic performance of the 70-300 VR. In my hands on comparisons, the performance was equivalent on the D7000 and D600. They say it's non existent on this model. I loved the 70-300VR on my D300s but it was complete soft crap on my D800 so I sold it. I have a friend who claims his is great on his D800 but he shoots jpg and does so much retouching I can't tell.
fullmetalphotographer wrote: A friend brought one by, For me it is to expensive for that slow of glass. I rather have a lens that is F/2.8 without VR than an f/4 with VR. Except they don't make that version in this FL. I used to own the 800 F/2.8 non VR because I didn't think VR was worth the extra $$ on the 70-200. But I've shot Medium format and View cameras all my life prior to digital so to me F/4 IS a fast lens.
Photographer
Extrosy
Posts: 656
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
I'm staying with the version 1, really irritating that at 200mm if you're close, it is only effectively a 130mm. Probably fine for portraits.
Photographer
photoimager
Posts: 5164
Stoke-on-Trent, England, United Kingdom
ImageX wrote: You lose more than just a stop of light with the F4 over the F2.8. You also lose a little cream as well. Might as well save a little more and get everything a Nikon 70-200 can offer... instead of almost everything. There are times when lighter mass and smaller size are more of an advantage or even requirement than that extra stop. Sometimes I find myself going back to a 1980s 70-210 AF F4 lens for precisely these reasons. The fringing can be a problem but it is much lighter and smaller. If there wasn't demand for such lenses then Canon would not have been producing them for quite some time.
Photographer
photoimager
Posts: 5164
Stoke-on-Trent, England, United Kingdom
Aaron Lewis Photography wrote: Has anyone shat with Nikon's I was worried when I read the start of the thread, then I realised it must either be a strange typo or auto-complete.
Photographer
WMcK
Posts: 5298
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
photoimager wrote: If there wasn't demand for such lenses then Canon would not have been producing them for quite some time. I use the Canon 70-200 f/4 non IS. Apart from the much lower cost, it is the only one of the four in this range which is small enough and light enough for me to carry round all day in my camera bag. And since I almost always use it on a tripod, the slower aperture and lack of IS are not a real problem. I'm sure the Nikon will sell well for these same reasons.
Photographer
Neil Snape
Posts: 9474
Paris, Île-de-France, France
I tried it on a D800. Fabulous. Sharp, light, fast.
Photographer
MrTim
Posts: 413
Norwich, England, United Kingdom
Interesting, I didn't know this existed until now (and had been wishing Nikon would make one for ages)! I've been in the market for something better than the cheap f3.5-5.6 lens I'd been using (especially on the consistent aperture across the focal length), but not really needing the extra stops enough to justify the cash of the 2.8.
Photographer
FullMetalPhotographer
Posts: 2797
Fresno, California, US
R Michael Walker wrote: They say it's non existent on this model. I loved the 70-300VR on my D300s but it was complete soft crap on my D800 so I sold it. I have a friend who claims his is great on his D800 but he shoots jpg and does so much retouching I can't tell. Except they don't make that version in this FL. I used to own the 800 F/2.8 non VR because I didn't think VR was worth the extra $$ on the 70-200. But I've shot Medium format and View cameras all my life prior to digital so to me F/4 IS a fast lens. Same here I come from the Nikon F2 generation. I learned on 4x5 and the RB67 cameras. I have the the first gen. 70-200 VR f/2.8 and the 80-200 f/2.8 push pull. I would take that 80-200mm lens over the f/4 with VR.
Photographer
Photos by Lorrin
Posts: 7026
Eugene, Oregon, US
Ken Rockwell reviewed - but says he will update his site when he actually has one to test.
Photographer
You Can Call Me Pierre
Posts: 800
Loma Linda, California, US
Lorin Edmonds wrote: Ken Rockwell reviewed - but says he will update his site when he actually has one to test. He bought one this week so I am eager to read his objective evaluations. His initial posting was basically a rewording of Nikon's press release.
Photographer
Robb Mann
Posts: 12327
Baltimore, Maryland, US
Lorin Edmonds wrote: Ken Rockwell reviewed - but says he will update his site when he actually has one to test. Ken is the man! Only he can review gear he hasnt seen or used. He has mad Ninja skills. The Canon 70-200 f4's have been very popular lenses for a long time, and its well suited to anyone needing lighter gear or anyone with a budget. Seems a perfect match for the D600.
Photographer
Aaron Lewis Photography
Posts: 5217
Catskill, New York, US
photoimager wrote: I was worried when I read the start of the thread, then I realised it must either be a strange typo or auto-complete. LOL typo, sorry. And I'm so careful about that. Ughhh
Photographer
Aaron Lewis Photography
Posts: 5217
Catskill, New York, US
Lorin Edmonds wrote: Ken Rockwell reviewed - but says he will update his site when he actually has one to test. Yeah except does anyone care what Ken Rockwell says?
Photographer
FullMetalPhotographer
Posts: 2797
Fresno, California, US
Lorin Edmonds wrote: Ken Rockwell reviewed - but says he will update his site when he actually has one to test. It should be one of his better fantasy stories.
Photographer
R Michael Walker
Posts: 11987
Costa Mesa, California, US
fullmetalphotographer wrote: Same here I come from the Nikon F2 generation. I learned on 4x5 and the RB67 cameras. I have the the first gen. 70-200 VR f/2.8 and the 80-200 f/2.8 push pull. I would take that 80-200mm lens over the f/4 with VR. Only problem with the 80-200 is I tested 4 differing lenses on 2 different D800 bodies and none were tack sharp at any aperture. The resolution of the D800 outstrips most optics. The only "gotcha" attached to it. But I sort of knew that going in. Now if you do a lot of retouching and don't get sharp edges anyway (like in most beauty, fashion and glamour work) it would probably be OK. Me, I'm looking for all the resolution I can get. Often edge to edge, especially in my landscape work. So there in is my only concern with this new 70-200 F/4. Did they really make a lens that is some ways is better than their F/2.8 model at a lower price and all you are giving up in return is a stop of light (And as one poster pointed out some Bokeh maybe)?
Photographer
FullMetalPhotographer
Posts: 2797
Fresno, California, US
R Michael Walker wrote: Only problem with the 80-200 is I tested 4 differing lenses on 2 different D800 bodies and none were tack sharp at any aperture. The resolution of the D800 outstrips most optics. The only "gotcha" attached to it. But I sort of knew that going in. Now if you do a lot of retouching and don't get sharp edges anyway (like in most beauty, fashion and glamour work) it would probably be OK. Me, I'm looking for all the resolution I can get. Often edge to edge, especially in my landscape work. So there in is my only concern with this new 70-200 F/4. Did they really make a lens that is some ways is better than their F/2.8 model at a lower price and all you are giving up in return is a stop of light (And as one poster pointed out some Bokeh maybe)? My 80-200 f/2.8 is extremely sharp even at f/2.8. I did not test but through practical experience. To me VR is on the bottom of importance when it comes to lenses. F/stops are far more important. I know this bucks the trend but that is me. It also does not have the vignetting issue the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR has. I still use both lenses, but without a doubt I will reach for my old 80-200 f/2.8 before the f/4 70-200 f/4 VR. It is my old photojournalist nature coming through. Also weight of the lens is not an issue I shot the F2 with motordrive for a few years.
Photographer
ImageX
Posts: 998
Saint Louis, Missouri, US
photoimager wrote: There are times when lighter mass and smaller size are more of an advantage or even requirement than that extra stop. Sometimes I find myself going back to a 1980s 70-210 AF F4 lens for precisely these reasons. The fringing can be a problem but it is much lighter and smaller. If there wasn't demand for such lenses then Canon would not have been producing them for quite some time. Not saying this is your case but I typically interpret "I need a lighter lens" or "I don't need the extra stop" as.... "I can't afford the real deal" or "I'm totally weak and can't handle a few extra grams of weight in favor of better optics... so I will take my savings on a cheaper lighter lens and maybe get a gym membership or not".
Photographer
Rp-photo
Posts: 42711
Houston, Texas, US
F4 seems rather mediocre, even with VR.
Photographer
Allure Image
Posts: 709
Des Moines, Iowa, US
ImageX wrote: Not saying this is your case but I typically interpret "I need a lighter lens" or "I don't need the extra stop" as.... "I can't afford the real deal" or "I'm totally weak and can't handle a few extra grams of weight in favor of better optics... so I will take my savings on a cheaper lighter lens and maybe get a gym membership or not". Priceless...
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
From today: Nikon D600 with the new 70-200f4G ED VR Model: Yvonne Emilie MUA: Faces By SAM tack sharp in full size on my monitor I have found the new 70-200 to be an excellent performer - BUT as with all VR lenses - turn off VR when using flash or strobe for best and most consistent results
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Neil Snape wrote: I tried it on a D800. Fabulous. Sharp, light, fast. Same here - I love it. I've shot it on the D800 D3x and D600 -
Photographer
R Michael Walker
Posts: 11987
Costa Mesa, California, US
rp_photo wrote: F4 seems rather mediocre, even with VR. How do you figure that?
Images wrote: Not saying this is your case but I typically interpret "I need a lighter lens" or "I don't need the extra stop" as.... "I can't afford the real deal" or "I'm totally weak and can't handle a few extra grams of weight in favor of better optics... so I will take my savings on a cheaper lighter lens and maybe get a gym membership or not". Me, Interpret an attitude like yours as you bought the more expensive lens and have to justify how F.2.8 makes your work SO much better than F/4 will. As for the optics, Nikon clearly goes over the construction and number of elements, ED glass and nano coating this new lens has. So just how is it inferior optically?
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
R Michael Walker wrote: rp_photo wrote: F4 seems rather mediocre, even with VR. How do you figure that?
Me, Interpret an attitude like yours as you bought the more expensive lens and have to justify how F.2.8 makes your work SO much better than F/4 will. As for the optics, Nikon clearly goes over the construction and number of elements, ED glass and nano coating this new lens has. So just how is it inferior optically? Actually I would argue that the f4 is *superior* optically - no focus breathing no softness in the edges wide open at 24 / 36mp superior at low contrast detail if there's a difference in sharpness between the two at 36mp I sure can't see it.... where the f2.8 shines is that it is a stop faster and it is faster focusing *in theory* though the f4 seems to be pretty snappy I have not tried shooting Eagles with it as I have successfully with the f2.8 I will keep both thank you very much but in studio I will be using the f4
Photographer
You Can Call Me Pierre
Posts: 800
Loma Linda, California, US
Fotografica Gregor wrote: as with all VR lenses - turn off VR when using flash or strobe for best and most consistent results I am confused by this statement. I never encountered that advice before. Please explain.
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
gl-amour wrote: I am confused by this statement. I never encountered that advice before. Please explain. with Nikon VR, there is a bit of a lag for the VR system to work on focusing - this can be miniscule in some cases but in others the flash fires before the VR system is settled, resulting in what looks like an OOF shot.
Photographer
Images by MR
Posts: 8908
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
I'd rather invest in the 70-200 2.8...
Photographer
ImageX
Posts: 998
Saint Louis, Missouri, US
R Michael Walker wrote: How do you figure that? Me, Interpret an attitude like yours as you bought the more expensive lens and have to justify how F.2.8 makes your work SO much better than F/4 will. As for the optics, Nikon clearly goes over the construction and number of elements, ED glass and nano coating this new lens has. So just how is it inferior optically? Any experienced photographer knows exactly the benefits of one over the other and that one of them can get shots that the other can't... period... not the other way around. Not to mention the 2.8 glass stopped down to F4 is going to be better than a wide open F4 lens will be. It's Basic Optics 101... did ya really have to ask? If anyone is trying to justify anything, it's you buying the slower cheaper glass over the more expensive and superior fast glass. Why don't ya just go with the 70-300? It's F4 on the short end and then you ONLY lose one measley stop at the long end! No big deal when ya save $1000! It's got more focal length and is very light! Did Nikon build us a better lens for 1/2 the price of the 70-200 F4? Nope. I'm sure the 70-200 F4 is a very good lens though.
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