Nikkor 70-200mm f:2,8G AF-S VR EF-ID

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR is the result of the stub’s advance from the high quality Nikon zooms (80-200 f/2.8 AF-ED and 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S ED) with excellent optics recognized from all over the world by professionals.  It hasn't manual aperture ring and it is a politics of upgrade to the new times, and you can manage those functions from the camera with the fingers without moving the view from the finder.
 
It is a full frame lens, it is not an APS-C or DX as Nikon names it. In the Nikon DX format is equivalent to a 105-300mm f/2.8. The fundamental advantage of this type of lens is that the image projected in the sensor doesn't use the lens borders, where traditionally are accumulated the construction errors, and this situation favors the final quality of the image.  Anyway, in a Nikon D3. this lens is completely usable as 70-200mm f/2.8 as it really is.

The construction is solid and it is very well finished. The focus ring is located in the nearest part to the outer lens, while the zoom ring is a little more inside, being quite comfortable its access. Near the focus ring it is situated the focus block button and just in the vertical is the distances indicator.
The tripod collar is easy working and fast, being able to detach it with enough easiness.
The lens mount has a rubber ring that isolates the lens and the camera from dust and humidity.

The optical architecture is formed by 21 lenses in 15 groups, including 5 ED lens that help largely to improve the image quality. The filter diameter is 77mm. With the Nikon digital cameras, DX format, the covering angle varies from 22º 50' to 8º, and it weighs about 1470 gr.

Among the major features of this lens, the more important are that has special mechanisms as the Vibrations Reduction (VR), the Internal high-speed Focus (IF) and Silent Autofocus (AF-S). The AF-S and the VR are energized by the camera battery.
With VR activated you can take pictures at shutter speeds three steps slower than you could make using a non VR lens, and this expanses the lens possibilities and the use without necessity of a tripod.
The VR modes are::
1) NORMAL, to reduce the camera shake. Can be used in normal situations or when you take a panoramic, since the lens distinguishes the panoramic movement from the camera properly vibration.
2) ACTIVE, when taking pictures from a moving vehicle.

The focus can be Automatic or Manual, with override of the Automatic mode, that is to say, although it is in Automatic, we can use our hand to adjust the focus. An interesting focus limiter that accelerates  even more the focus process, limiting it at 2,5m.
The minimum focus distance is 1,5m (Automatic); 1,4m (Manual).  In reality the lens focus a little bit closer.

The lens is comfortable to use, non point for which comes directly from a compact camera, is tremendously sharp, even more if we make use of VR for static subjects. The focus is fast and very silent.
The chromatic aberrations are practically non-existent. It has been shot to the classic tree with high contrast against the blue sky and purple or cyan halos are not observed, what indicates the extreme construction quality. The color rendition and the contrast are equally excellent.

 

 

The distortion is very well controlled and it is the better than I have seen among this category of zooms (Nikon, Canon, Sigma), the distortion goes from a slight barrel at 70mm, not existing distortion in the 100, 120,150 and 180mm and a minimum cushion distortion at 200mm, its correction in Photoshop is -0,4. 

The image quality in the corners is really good:

 

 

I have made enough test pictures to a   ISO 12233 chart, printed  DIN A3, summarizing them to an Excell graphic. My personal estimations are the following:

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion: it is a professional lens, with an excellent and capable construction quality for the daily work. Optically there is very little that to reproach and it provides many satisfactions. The price is 1.640 Euros and it is really worthwhile what is paid for. I believe this  lens will surely transform into another  Nikon legend.

 

© 2008 Juan Parménides. Derechos Reservados. All Rights Reserved

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