Lens Summary
Brand: Nikon
Also Known As: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II
Lens Type: Zoom Lens
Format: Full Frame / FX
Focus: Autofocus
Lens Mount: Nikon F
Release Date: 2009-07-30
MSRP Price: $2399
Made in: Japan
Infrared Rating: Good
Production Status: Discontinued
Lens Description: Fast aperture, f/2.8 zoom features VR II image stabilization, ED glass and Nano Crystal Coat. Excels at low-light sports, fashion, portraits and more.
Photography Life Review Summary: The new Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II is clearly a better lens than its predecessor. As can be seen from the image examples in this review, the performance of this lens is outstanding at maximum apertures throughout the focal lengths and the new VR II system clearly helps in getting shake-free images at low shutter speeds of 1/50 and below. Nikon did an outstanding job in addressing the problems with vignetting on FX bodies and the Nano Coating should help to minimize ghosting and flare issues the older lens suffered from. The only two drawbacks that I can think of are price and decreased magnification. With a $2,400 price tag, which is equivalent to what a brand new Nikon D700 costs today, it definitely does not fall into an “affordable” category. The decreased magnification is not good news for those who need the reach, but is not necessarily bad for portrait photographers, because they can fit more, if needed. Professionals that work in challenging conditions and could use the sharpness and the new vibration reduction feature will definitely buy and appreciate the lens, while others might look at the older version as a good alternative, especially if they are shooting on DX bodies. Read the full Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Review by Photography Life.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| * Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area | |
| Lens Type | Zoom Lens |
| Focal Length | 70-200mm |
| Mount Type | Nikon F |
| Format | Full Frame / FX |
| Compatible Format(s) | FX, DX, FX in DX Crop Mode, 35 mm Film |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | Yes |
| Zoom Ratio | 2.9x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 0.12x |
| Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization) | Yes |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | No |
| Maximim Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Maximum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | 22°50' |
| Minimum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | 8° |
| Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 34°20' |
| Minimum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 12°20' |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 21 |
| Lens Groups | 16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Elements | 7 |
| Nano Crystal Coat | Yes |
| Super Integrated Coat (SIC) | Yes |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | Yes |
| Silent Wave Motor (SWM) | Yes |
| Internal Focusing | Yes |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 4.6 ft. (1.4m) |
| Focus Mode Switch | Auto, Manual, Auto/Manual |
| G-type | Yes |
| Distance Information | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 77mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | Yes |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Tripod Collar | Yes |
| Dimensions | (Approx.) 3.4x8.1 in. (Diameter x Length), 87x205.5mm (Diameter x Length) |
| Weight | (Approx.) 54.3 oz. (1540g) |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
| Supplied Accessories | HB-48 Bayonnet Hood, CL-M2 Case, 77mm lens cap, LF-1 Rear lens cap |
Lens Construction
MTF Chart
Image Samples
Am I correct in saying that with a crop factor of 1.5 the actual focal length of the 70-200mm lens is 105-300mm on my Nikon D5500.
No, that would not be the correct way to say it, Paul. The focal length of a lens never changes; it’s a fixed part of the lens construction.
Comments below are from my notes, which may contain some content from Photography Life.
Focal length
The distance from the optical center of the lens focused at infinity to the camera sensor / film, measured in millimeters. Focal length is an optical attribute of a lens, which has nothing to do with the camera or the type of sensor it uses. The true focal length of a lens is typically what manufacturer says it is on the lens.
Field of view
Sometimes wrongfully called “angle of view” is simply what your lens together with the camera can see and capture from left to right, top to bottom. The actual field of view is always what the camera captures, not necessarily what you see inside the viewfinder.
Angle of view
Lens manufacturers often publish the term “angle of view” or “maximum angle of view” in lens specifications, because they define what the lens is capable of seeing in degrees. The main difference between the angle of view and field of view is that the
former is an attribute of the lens while the latter is the result of both the lens and the camera. For example, a lens with an angle of
view of 84° (e.g., Nikon 24mm f/1.4G) is only for a full-frame camera. Once mounted on a camera with a cropped/APS-C sensor, the
field of view, or what you see through the camera actually gets narrower to 61°.
Field of view equivalent to a focal length (which concerns your question)
The word “equivalent” is typically in relation to 35mm film. On smaller sensors, the light speads out for 35mm size sensors, overshooting the smaller sensor, causing a “crop” result (though nothing is cropped). Thus, the correct way to say it is: “The 70-200mm lens has a field of view equivalent to a focal length of 105-300mm in 35mm format,” not “the lens focal length is
equivalent to 42-450mm on DX sensor,” which is an incorrect because the focal length of the lens never changes, only the field of
view does.
Wow, amazing.
In urdu language a saying is “Samundar ko kooze main band ker diya”. mean that u put the whole sea into a small bottle or jar.
To buy any particular lense every thing is there to convince yourself.
This is so complete as when I was coming from top to bottom and checking this example, one thing came to my mind that with all this your rating should also be there and what I found at the bottom?
It was there.
So I must say for any one this is very informative.
Only one suggestion. I dont know it is valid or not.
Though you have given the link for complete review but in a summarize form if you could add some compatible lenses with the detail. It might help.
God bless u
Fantastic high quality photographic tool. Very fast to focus. Did not own it for long enough to complain about anything. I used to own the first AF-S version of that lens and I thought it felt really big and cumbersome. This new version is a winner to me. Excellent product.