Thread: nikon lenses

The 80-200 f/2.8D is a D-series lens and isn't a VR. The 70-200 f/2.8G VR is the predecessor to the 70-200 f/2.8G VRII.

All 3 are IF lenses but the two 70-200's are G-series lenses and will work with the low end bodies (D3100/D5100). The optics on all 3 are great with the latest 70-200 VRII being the best as the Nano-coating improves the lens in low light, it also has more ED elements. The VRII is an improvement over the VR of the older lens.

I have the older 70-200 VR and still use it a lot. I've used the newer VRII and in general terms can't see enough improvement to justify upgrading. A lot has been mentioned about the older model being soft around the edges on FX bodies but I haven't seen this and a few other FX shooters I've talked with can't seem to see any difference either. It's probably there, but you need to really analyse the images.

Both 70-200's are a lot faster to acquire focus than the 80-200. The newer VRII is marginally quicker than its predecessor. I would look for an older 70-200 VR over the 80-200.

Cheers for that, I will start hunting - the focus speed is important to me, I know the VR makes the newer ones better in low light than the old 80-200.

I'm looking at getting a 17-55mm F2.8 and the 70-200mm and put up with a gap between them; with my tax cheque if I have enough left over, but will still be hunting for second hand ones

That it is an excellent choice

Ok so I took my D300s into camera House and asked if I could check out both the 17-55mm F2.8 VRII and the 70-200mm F2.8 VRII Bloody nora am I impressed.

Problem - work has dropped off so I cant buy them incase I need the tax money to keep things going DAMN

You are going for a very expensive gear my friend, bring the bar a bit lower and use a Tamaron instead of the Nikon 17-55 and the Nikon 70-300 Vr instead of the 70-200

I would love to have the Nikon 600 f/4 VR but $11.000 is a bit much I guess so I do my bird photography with the 70-300VR and I am out and enjoying it.

reading the reviews Sigma also make a very good 70-200mm f2.8 The main reason why I want them or a third party equivalent is that they are so damned fast, and are able to be used in quiet dark surrounds - as far as a lense goes I am still very happy with my old 28-80mm nikon, very fast focus time, crisp and sharp but I'm frustrated with it in dim light.

While reading this thread I looked up and saw an ad for this:

Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II Lens - Discount Digital Photographics Pty Ltd