In today’s light (pun intended) these FX lenses are really good value compared to their prices even just 5 years ago. I have the opportunity of acquiring a AF-D 80-200 f2.8 (twin ring unit) for ~€250 or a 70-200mm F2.8 VR I for <€100 more to use with my D610 I know the former was more aimed consumer mkt, but It did receive rave reviews on the net
Being an amateur focused on street, portrait and landscape, I have to wonder if there is really that much difference in sharpness between these two. I dont really care about focus speed, but use of TC may push me to the AF-S lens.
Do you any experience usign the 80-200 AF-D that you can share to compare with this 70-200?
Thanks Ian
polizonte
June 12, 2023 7:50 pm
A few years ago, before reading your review, I bought a new copy of this lens to use with my former D810. Through the viewfinder, focusing with VR activated, the image looked so jumpy that eventually I got discouraged and sold it. This week I bought a “like new” used copy at a store, for the same price I had sold my first one; mounted on my new D850, I updated the lens firmware. If I run into problems as described in your review, I will return it for a refund but so far things look much better.
Bruce Fichelson
January 10, 2022 10:10 pm
Should the tripod foot be replaced with one from Kirk or RRS or is the Nikon foot sufficiently stable?
Bruce, I would replace the tripod foot with Kirk or RRS…
neversink
May 5, 2021 11:53 am
Had no choice. Just purchased this lens today. Tested it before I purchased on a D850 and without any menu focus adjustments it was tack sharp at 70 and at 200 and in between even wide open , I will be taking my thirteen year old lens to be be cleaned and repaired and the will either use it as a back up or sell it. I am blown over by the quality and sharpness. Definitely outperforms my older lens which was not a slouch. I am already used to the zoom and focus ring switcheroo. And it doesn’t bother me at all. Only took an hour to get used to the new configuration.
Gtsimi
December 20, 2020 10:14 am
Hi Nassim. I have a D850 and a D7000. Do you have any experience/ comparison of the Nikon compared to the 70-200 Sigma Sport? Also do you know if this lease would work with the D7000?
Jon Middleton
December 8, 2020 4:17 pm
So, thinking about this lens, wondering if the QC problems have been addressed. Any updates?
Any feedback out there re QC problems? Have they been fixed as to new lens made recently?
Sam Tebbutt
December 5, 2019 8:57 am
A beautiful lens this, I’ve owned it for a couple of years now. Every time I use it it produces very sharp, characterful images. Well worth it!
Maxim Dupliy
September 23, 2019 3:22 am
Hello Nasim I love your reviews, thank you for that. I want to ask: If I already have this lens( 70-200 FL) and have TC 1.7 II. Do you think it’s better to buy a 300mm or 400mm f/2.8 VR 1, or to use what I have now with TC 1.4 III ? My aim is to enter sports photography, either inside or outside. Thank you
I use the Nikkor AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR wth the T.C. 1.7 ll teleconverter which works extremely well giving me a f/4.8. The Nikkor still focuses very quickly and is still extremely sharp. I use it on my Nikon D500 for birds and wildlife which on a cropped sensor has the equivalent of 510mm of reach. I also use a Tamron 150-600 f/5-6.3G2 but in lower light levels I use the the Nikkor AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR with the teleconverter as the Tamron goes to f/6.3 which is restrictive in low light but not the Nikkor. The combination with the1.7 teleconverter is a good choice for sports shooting. What camera are you using?
Hassan Elhassan
August 6, 2019 6:07 pm
Hi Nassim, Many thanks for the fantastic lens review. Your fairly called out Nikon’s QA issue which to me speaks of so much integrity and your readership cannot be grateful enough. I do hope the issue has since been resolved. You kindly replied to one of the comments on how to test the AF reliability issues as well as the de-centering issue; I think having both of these within the body of the review would be appreciated by your readers (already found the de-centering article on PL and I’ll anxiously be checking my copy which I received yesterday!). I do wonder: have you had much success procuring that 3rd lens copy and updating the article?
Andrei Maximov
March 31, 2019 6:42 pm
Few days ago I changed my very used 10 years old 70-200 VR + $900 to this new lens. It’s amazing! And, considering the price for which I bought it, I don’t care about the zoom ring at all =D
In today’s light (pun intended) these FX lenses are really good value compared to their prices even just 5 years ago.
I have the opportunity of acquiring a AF-D 80-200 f2.8 (twin ring unit) for ~€250 or a 70-200mm F2.8 VR I for <€100 more to use with my D610
I know the former was more aimed consumer mkt, but It did receive rave reviews on the net
Being an amateur focused on street, portrait and landscape, I have to wonder if there is really that much difference in sharpness between these two.
I dont really care about focus speed, but use of TC may push me to the AF-S lens.
Do you any experience usign the 80-200 AF-D that you can share to compare with this 70-200?
Thanks
Ian
A few years ago, before reading your review, I bought a new copy of this lens to use with my former D810. Through the viewfinder, focusing with VR activated, the image looked so jumpy that eventually I got discouraged and sold it. This week I bought a “like new” used copy at a store, for the same price I had sold my first one; mounted on my new D850, I updated the lens firmware. If I run into problems as described in your review, I will return it for a refund but so far things look much better.
Should the tripod foot be replaced with one from Kirk or RRS or is the Nikon foot sufficiently stable?
Bruce, I would replace the tripod foot with Kirk or RRS…
Had no choice. Just purchased this lens today. Tested it before I purchased on a D850 and without any menu focus adjustments it was tack sharp at 70 and at 200 and in between even wide open , I will be taking my thirteen year old lens to be be cleaned and repaired and the will either use it as a back up or sell it.
I am blown over by the quality and sharpness. Definitely outperforms my older lens which was not a slouch. I am already used to the zoom and focus ring switcheroo. And it doesn’t bother me at all. Only took an hour to get used to the new configuration.
Hi Nassim. I have a D850 and a D7000. Do you have any experience/ comparison of the Nikon compared to the 70-200 Sigma Sport? Also do you know if this lease would work with the D7000?
So, thinking about this lens, wondering if the QC problems have been addressed. Any updates?
Any feedback out there re QC problems? Have they been fixed as to new lens made recently?
A beautiful lens this, I’ve owned it for a couple of years now. Every time I use it it produces very sharp, characterful images. Well worth it!
Hello Nasim
I love your reviews, thank you for that.
I want to ask: If I already have this lens( 70-200 FL) and have TC 1.7 II. Do you think it’s better to buy a 300mm or 400mm f/2.8 VR 1, or to use what I have now with TC 1.4 III ?
My aim is to enter sports photography, either inside or outside.
Thank you
I use the Nikkor AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR wth the T.C. 1.7 ll teleconverter which works extremely well giving me a f/4.8. The Nikkor still focuses very quickly and is still extremely sharp. I use it on my Nikon D500 for birds and wildlife which on a cropped sensor has the equivalent of 510mm of reach. I also use a Tamron 150-600 f/5-6.3G2 but in lower light levels I use the the Nikkor AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR with the teleconverter as the Tamron goes to f/6.3 which is restrictive in low light but not the Nikkor. The combination with the1.7 teleconverter is a good choice for sports shooting. What camera are you using?
Hi Nassim,
Many thanks for the fantastic lens review. Your fairly called out Nikon’s QA issue which to me speaks of so much integrity and your readership cannot be grateful enough. I do hope the issue has since been resolved.
You kindly replied to one of the comments on how to test the AF reliability issues as well as the de-centering issue; I think having both of these within the body of the review would be appreciated by your readers (already found the de-centering article on PL and I’ll anxiously be checking my copy which I received yesterday!).
I do wonder: have you had much success procuring that 3rd lens copy and updating the article?
Few days ago I changed my very used 10 years old 70-200 VR + $900 to this new lens. It’s amazing!
And, considering the price for which I bought it, I don’t care about the zoom ring at all =D