Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR II

[ban25]

http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2009/0730_nikkor_04.htm

So, who's getting this? I signed up to be notified on Amazon, but they aren't taking pre-orders yet. Ships in September and I bet there's going to be quite a wait to get it!

[InsuredDisaster]

http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2009/0730_nikkor_04.htm

So, who's getting this? I signed up to be notified on Amazon, but they aren't taking pre-orders yet. Ships in September and I bet there's going to be quite a wait to get it!

I've got the original so not planning on upgrading, but does anyone who has the 70-200 VR I plan on getting the VR II?

[wizzy]

I've got the original so not planning on upgrading, but does anyone who has the 70-200 VR I plan on getting the VR II?
I have the VR I version for 2 months now. But I'm not upgrading. I use it on my D300 and am very happy with it.

[nxthree]

I'm hoping the VR II causes a decent price drop for a used VR I so I can add it to my arsenal. I shoot DX, so there's no point in spending the extra cash for a new VR II.

[tonyd]

I have the original and was put on a pre-order wait list on July 30. When they arrive I expect a call asking to confirm shipment or to cancel.

I will probably put my original 70-200 up for sale in October.

[InsuredDisaster]

I'm hoping the VR II causes a decent price drop for a used VR I so I can add it to my arsenal. I shoot DX, so there's no point in spending the extra cash for a new VR II.

So the new one is mainly for FX? The dpreview site mentioned that the VR 1 was much better on the DX format. And like Nxthree, I'm very happy with my VR and see no reason to upgrade either.

[nxthree]

The new VRII is supposed to have better corner-to-corner sharpness, ala FX. If you don't plan on upgrading to FX, I can't see a reason to buy the new version.

So the new one is mainly for FX? The dpreview site mentioned that the VR 1 was much better on the DX format. And like Nxthree, I'm very happy with my VR and see no reason to upgrade either.

[TNFlyBoy]

The new VRII is supposed to have better corner-to-corner sharpness, ala FX. If you don't plan on upgrading to FX, I can't see a reason to buy the new version.

From the pictures that Cliff Mautner has posted at
http://cliffmautner.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/10/101309-the-new-nikon-70200mm-f28g-ed-vrii.html/
the actual vibration reduction of the VRII appears to be MUCH better than the VRI. Although the reduction in vignetting and increase in edge sharpness for FX cameras have been the improvements most talked about, there are others.

I pre-ordered this in late September on Amazon. I do plan on eventually moving to an FX camera, and really I couldn't imagine spending $2k (or $2.4k) on a lens and keeping it on a DX forever. FX sensors will decrease in cost in the future, so why not spring for a little more now, with better VR, sharpness, and AF speed, and give yourself options in the future?

[insanefred]

I'd love to get one... Way to expensive for me.

[SoCalAl]

I have one on order to replace my 2 piece unit. Use the 70-200 about 90% of the time. If the new one is better I will be one extremely happy camper. The now 2 piece unit was excellent!

[D'Buggs]

I'm keeping my eye out for a VR1.... I see that they have dropped 200-300 $$$ ~a moth ago (NIB).

[dlscott56]

I'm keeping my eye out for a VR1.... I see that they have dropped 200-300 $$$ ~a moth ago (NIB).

I've seen several in the $1750 range. Is this a good price?

[D'Buggs]

I've seen several in the $1750 range. Is this a good price?

$1750.......... I'd say that thats a fair price.
I'm holding out for x-mas, I think Nikon will cut them a couple hundred more.

[Sil3ntp8nd8]

A troy Dgrinner! Cool!

I've seen it on here for 1500 literally in mint condition.

[borrowlenses.com]

A troy Dgrinner! Cool!

I've seen it on here for 1500 literally in mint condition.

That is a good deal indeed :D

[TNFlyBoy]

Order update from Amazon... SHIPPING SOON!! :)

Says it'll be here on Dec 1

[Sil3ntp8nd8]

i just bought mine from another local car forum. though the AF doesn't lock on right away. I press down the shutter button all the way, it locates a few AF points and does nothing after that. I only tested it in my bedroom with minimal lighting. He says that the AF is like that on all of the 70-200's. Though I haven't tried it out at a game or anything yet.

[StevenSzabo]

i just bought mine from another local car forum. though the AF doesn't lock on right away. I press down the shutter button all the way, it locates a few AF points and does nothing after that. I only tested it in my bedroom with minimal lighting. He says that the AF is like that on all of the 70-200's. Though I haven't tried it out at a game or anything yet.

That is the VR...not the VRII there's no one on a car forum that would have one yet since they basically just became available today.

The older version is very good. If your focus isn't locking on I dunno what to tell you...mine NEVER hunts. I'm having a hard time justifying selling it to get the VRII since I teleconvert everything the vignetting is a non issue...but apparently they're testing as sharper than the VR as well, so I'm all conflicted.

[Sil3ntp8nd8]

That is the VR...not the VRII there's no one on a car forum that would have one yet since they basically just became available today.

The older version is very good. If your focus isn't locking on I dunno what to tell you...mine NEVER hunts. I'm having a hard time justifying selling it to get the VRII since I teleconvert everything the vignetting is a non issue...but apparently they're testing as sharper than the VR as well, so I'm all conflicted.

Yes its the first version. I might stop by a store and see whats up. It still has a 3 year warranty from BH. I have all of the paperwork for it too

[StevenSzabo]

Yes its the first version. I might stop by a store and see whats up. It still has a 3 year warranty from BH. I have all of the paperwork for it too

yup...get er checked out for sure, like I said, under proper lighting that thing should never hunt. The only lenses I've shot with that lock on faster are Nikon's long primes like the 300 2.8

[seedster]

Mine came in on Friday morning. It's my first 70-200mm. Very pricey, but so far it seems worth it

[ziggy53]

Mine came in on Friday morning. It's my first 70-200mm. Very pricey, but so far it seems worth it

Congratulations. :clap

[bloomphotog]

Mine came in on Friday morning. It's my first 70-200mm. Very pricey, but so far it seems worth it

Nice! I see it is now in stock at B&H...probably going to order this week. *crosses fingers*

Post up some pix, ASAP! :D

[PuppY_K1ck3R]

Got mine last wed. I think its worth every penny especially if u don't own the original 70-200mm.

Here she is.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4142374723_547ea9050c_o.jpg

and here is a test shot i took. 1/20th of a sec @ 70mm hand held.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4142374683_5ce26d3585_o.jpg

[ziggy53]

Congratulations PuppY_K1ck3R. :clap

[PuppY_K1ck3R]

Congratulations PuppY_K1ck3R. :clap

Thx ziggy now I need to shoot some sports with this thing. Ill put up shots soon.

[TNFlyBoy]

just got mine today! woot :)

[ziggy53]

Congratulations TNFlyBoy. :clap

[tonyd]

Mine shipped out of Oklahoma last Wednesday and crawling across the country to PA. Should be in my hands on Thursday! I opted for free shipping, figured I waited this long, what's a few more days :D

[JayMitch]

Mine shipped out of Oklahoma last Wednesday and crawling across the country to PA. Should be in my hands on Thursday! I opted for free shipping, figured I waited this long, what's a few more days :D

Thats weird. I'm in Oklahoma and mine is crawling west across the country from New York. It's also expected Thursday. Apparently we both ordered from the wrong place, but all will be well tomorrow. :ivar

--Jay

[tonyd]

Thats weird. I'm in Oklahoma and mine is crawling west across the country from New York. It's also expected Thursday. Apparently we both ordered from the wrong place, but all will be well tomorrow. :ivar

--Jay

I just took a closer look at the tracking - Mine started from a Amazon warehouse in Coffeyville, KS, then went to Tulsa, OK and Earth City, MO. Currently it's in NJ about 30 miles from me. Amazon was taking preorders in August. I worried that if there was much demand I could have been waiting longer if I tried B & H in NY.:dunno

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[JayMitch]

Mine's coming from B&H. They apparently ordered plenty, it turns out. I don't know why I didn't think of Amazon. I knew they have a big distribution center in Coffeyville, which is just over the state line, about 75 miles from here (Here being Tulsa). Oh well, maybe our lenses waived at each other as they passed somewhere on I-70.

Good luck with your new lens.

--Jay

[borrowlenses.com]

We just got some of these lenses and have been extremely impressed so far. We've been playing with them on our D3s bodies. If you're curious we have them available for rental :)

http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/nikon_telephoto/Nikon_70-200_f2.8_VR_II

[insanefred]

We just got some of these lenses and have been extremely impressed so far. We've been playing with them on our D3s bodies. If you're curious we have them available for rental :)

http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/nikon_telephoto/Nikon_70-200_f2.8_VR_II

I have a rental in my hands right now. I am very impressed so far, here are a few first impressions I'd like to share.

The bad: The lens hood is a joke, weakest point about the lens other than price so far. I don't believe it's the sharpest Nikon lens made.

The good: too many to post. :thumb

If there is is questions, comments, or photo requests. I will be happy to 'try' to fulfill.

Other comments: Using it on a Nikon D700