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Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 G IF-ED VR - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C)
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published July 2006
Lens kindly provided by Josef Merk (1st sample) and Peter-Cornelius Spaeth (2nd sample)!
Introduction
The Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR is the latest incarnation
of high-speed tele zooms made by Nikon. At the time it took Nikon ages
from the development announcement till the lens was finally available on
the market back in 2003.
The lens isn't exactly a budget item
at around 1800€/US$ but Nikon smart enough to keep the old AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED
in the current line-up which is available at almost half the costs - a pretty
consumer-friendly approach.
Within the scope of this test we'll have a look how the lens performs on
the Nikon D200 (APS-C DSLR) where its field-of-view is equivalent to
105-300mm.
The build quality of the lens is very impressive - a truly
professional-grade lens. Most parts are made of metal with a slight
crinkle finish. The broad rubberized zoom and focus control rings
feel very smooth. The overall length of the lens does not change
and the filter thread does not rotate. It is a G-type lens so unlike
its predecessors it does not offer an aperture ring anymore. A
detachable tripod-collar is also part of the package.
The AF-S 70-200mm VR is the first high-speed Nikkor tele-zoom with a
VR (Vibration Reduction) mechanism with an efficiency equivalent to 3 f-stops.
The lens offers two VR modes - a "normal" mode for most situations inc. static
scenes, object tracking as well as monopod shots whereas the 2nd "active" mode
to compensate more pronounced vibrations (e.g. when shooting from a moving
vehicle).
Thanks an AF-S drive (Silent
Wave Motor) the AF operations are nearly silent and extremely fast.
| Specifications |
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| Equiv. focal length | 105-300 mm (full format equivalent) |
| Equiv. aperture | f/4.2 (full format equivalent, in terms of depth-of-field) |
| Optical construction | 21 elements in 15 groups inc. 5 ED elements |
| Number of aperture blades | 9 (rounded) |
| min. focus distance | 1.5 m (max. magnification ratio 1:6.1) |
| Dimensions | 87 x 215 mm |
| Weight | 1470 g |
| Filter size | 77 mm (non-rotating) |
| Hood | HB-29 (supplied), petal-shaped, Twist-lock mounted. |
| Other features | Lens provides distance (D) information. Tripod collar. Vibration reduction. Dust and waterproof rubber sealing. |
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