Tele zoom 70-200mm : F4 vs F2.8

Vipmediastar_JZ

Sigma's 2.8 version looks good too.
Im craving this focal lenght but most likely will wait for another rebate or the spring to acquire the 70-200
I have done my fair share of street work with 24-85mm leghts and its great but next year I want to try the 70-200 lengths primarly looking for shades, shadows and breaks of light. If a person happens to walk into the scene that will be a big plus.
Maybe ill take pics of birds too since everybody here has wonderful photos of birds.

adamz

I wouldn't go for sigma, for just a little bit more you can get either vr I 2.8 or vr III 4.0 from nikon, both superior in build and IQ

Golf007sd

@Vipmediastar_JZ: I agree forget about the Sigma in this focal length. Rent the Nikon f/4 & f/2.8 VR II and see which you find more appealing to you. We have discussed the pro and con's of these two in the past on the forum so no need to go over it again here.

My money when towards the f/2.8 for a number of personal reasons. In fact, I have only purchase three lenses brand new: 35 1.8, 85 1.8G & 70-200 2.8 VRII.

Vipmediastar_JZ

Ok. Ill narrow it down to these two. If im doing street im inclined towards the f/4 version for weight. Thanks agian for steering me into the nano crystals.

WestEndBoy

If you want to save money, consider the 80-200 2.8. Only $1,000 at B&H.

heartyfisher

The new Tamron 70-200 F2.8 VC USD reviews very highly.. worth considering i think.

Golf007sd

@Vipmediastar_JZ: In the f/2.8 lenses. Have a look at these videos and if they bear fruit.

Matt Granger 70-200 2.8 shoot out.

adamz

the tammy is ok considering sharpness, but it's rather slowish.

heartyfisher

Just wanted to update yous all ..

Finally decided on the 70-200. it was mainly to replace my 150 F2.8, originally was for my D7000 but since then I have got a D610, and was looking at adding the following functionality .. VR and a bit of zoom range. and keeping some macro, sharpness.

After considering a whole bunch of options :


1) N 70-200 F2.8 VR I : very nice lense in terms of price and performance and almost got this from the second hand shop .. but when I went there it was sold !
2) N 70-200 F2.8 VR II : the cost meant I needed to save a bit more for it..
3)N 80-200 F2.8 : No VR and its the VR that I am interested in in this range as I already have a very sharp 150 F2.8 Macro.
3) Sig 70-200 F2.8 OS : Nice lense but seems to be lagging behind all others considered here.
4) Tamron 70-200 F2.8 .. reports that it does not work with the Nikon1 V1 otherwise the Tamron would have been a great choice. again I almost bought this but the ability to use the new lens on the V1 was a quite a large functionality factor to give up.

5) Which comes to the Nikon 70-200 F4.0 . which I decided to get and will be picking it up tomorrow !
a) Lighter than the rest.
b) I went around shooting/testing at F4.0 on my 150 F2.8 and did not find it limiting in terms of DOF or ISO.. also having the D610 with its better high ISO capability also alleviates the concern. and from my tests with the D610 there is no issue for me at all.
c) 67mm filter size.. works with my DCR250..
d) compatibility with my Nikon1V1 should be awesome fun.
e) No focus breathing and mostly parafocal.
f) superb sharpness ! will have no issue with TC. Looking for a cheap TC17 next.

So excited to pick it up tomorrow.. will let yous all know how it goes!
while testing my new D610 with a whole bunch of my lenses I found that I really liked using it with the 150 F2.8 but the lack of VR and zoom was a bit limiting. so I think i am really going to enjoy this new lense..

heartyfisher

!! That 70-200 F4 must be the best lense in the world !!

spraynpray

Sounds like you're happy then Hearty.

heartyfisher

) :x =D> :x :bz :-* :x

bland

!! That 70-200 F4 must be the best lense in the world !!

Let's hope so because I just bought one per your review!

Actually, I've been considering it for sometime because my 2.8 gets too heavy for this old man shooting at the track all day. Also, I want to keep my 2.8 safe and sound for concert use. I got a big race to shoot this weekend, plan on giving it a workout on my D7100.

heartyfisher

Some of my first pictures :-)

Everybody's listening to something ...

Vipmediastar_JZ

Your images look great.

I picked up the 2.8 and I was debating for almost a year on which to get.
Weight is probably the only thing that would want me to go with the F4 version.

I do struggle with the 2.8 version but I have learned to cross my arms and use them for support or use the tripod/monopod of course.