10.13.09- The New Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VRII

A box arrived last Thursday. A box I've been excited about for a while now. I'm incredibly excited to be the first to post any images made with this lens.

Some of these lenses have been out for a while, and I've had some of these in my bag. However,   the new Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VRII with Nano Crystal Coat is still a short month or so away from being available and I'm stoked to have one in my bag right now in order to see what it can do.

For those who may know me, or may be familiar with my work, the previous version of this lens has been a staple of mine since it's inception. It's speed of focus, vibration reduction, incredible sharpness, and ergonomics made it indispensable. I've made many images with that lens since 2003. It owes me nothing. However, I was just as fond of my Nikkor 80-200 2.8 before it, I put it aside to make room for something better- and something that could absolutely allow me to produce images I couldn't produce before.

Such is the case with this new piece of glass Nikon has engineered. The improvements are vast. From the Nikon site:

• Vibration reduction (VR II) equivalent to increases in shutter speed by four steps
• A new optical design utilizing seven ED glass elements
• Ghost and flare suppression with Nano Crystal Coat
• A Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for superior autofocus that is smooth and quiet
• Three focus modes built in: M, M/A, A/M
• Aperture diaphragm utilizing an odd number of rounded blades (nine) for natural blur characteristics
• Shooting at distances as close as 1.4 m throughout the entire zoom range
• High-quality exterior design

Yada, Yada, Yada... LOL. what does it mean to me??? It means the ability to shoot at ridiculously slow shutter speeds, faster autofocus(as if this lens needed to be faster), edge to edge sharpness, no vignetting on FX gear, closer shooting distance, and the nano crystal coat which produces a nearly flare proof lens with contrast and sharpness that I've simply never seen in any zoom lens in my 28 year career(besides the other 2 crystal nano coat lenses in my bag already!!!)

The question will be, for those who are considering this lens- is it THAT much better than the older version. My answer, after only shooting with this lens for a few days now, is absolutely. Below you'll see my first results, in fact, perhaps some of the only images available anywhere at the moment with this new lens. The VR and improved sharpness would have been enough for me.

As an aside, I'd like to disclose that I OWN all of my gear. Every single piece of Nikon equipment I have has been purchased. I have the huge AMEX receipts to prove that. The big box of lenses I just received will be heading back to Japan when I'm finished the campaign shoots, unless I accidentally forget to enclose the new 70-200 VRII with the package(just kidding Soichi-san)!!   

If you're an NPS member, get on a priority purchase list if you can. I assure you, with all sincerity, this lens will be well worth the investment, and will be the hottest lens put out by anyone in years!

Here are a few images I've made with this new lens. These are my first impressions, since I've only used it for one wedding-yesterday. The other images were shot the evening I opened the box. I also used it for a few frames while stopping by at Susan Stripling's wedding on Saturday. She's on the NPS priority purchase list as well.  

All of the metadata is in tact. Feel free to see for yourselves!!I've also done a comparison by using the older version- the original 70-200VR lens in a few examples and there was considerable movement at the same slow shutter speeds with the older version.

I'd like to add that ALL of these images were hand held... NO tripod. Who needs a tripod now??? I'll post more as I shoot more images. I hope these are informative!

D3, ISO 400, AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm-f2.8G ED VRII- f2.8 @ 1/13th @200mm...yes, this is not a typo

D3, ISO 400, AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm VR- f2.8 @ 1/13th @200mm-The older version

D3, ISO 320, AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm-f2.8G ED VRII- f2.8 @ 1/10th @155mm

Here is a 100% crop of the prior image

D3, ISO 1250, AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G ED VRII- 2.8 @ 1/10th @ 200mm

D3, ISO 200, AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G ED VRII- 2.8 @ 1/4 @ 70mm

From yesterday's wedding-Wide open- 2.8... no vignetting

Last but not least- This lens is SHARP.. wide open @ 2.8 straight jpg out of camera

100% crop of prior image

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=582751553]

Simply WOW. great lens and review Cliff. I am so glad i attended your workshop.

[JC Macalino of JC Image Design]

WOW. I'm a Canon shooter, but lust for this lens. Thanks for sharing all the info, Cliff. That sharpness at those shutter speeds and apertures -- droppin my jaw. BTW, I'd love to attend one of your workshops. Keep rockin.

[Koray Ustuner]

I love it. Thanks Cliff for informative photos.
Regards from North Cyprus.

[Jennifer]

This is fabulous. Thanks for sharing the test shots!

[Sarin C.]

Thanks for this useful review. But I don't know why ISO not 200 at all... Exif show ISO 320 , 400 & 1250 in your photos. Let's check information again. regards.

[Rafael]

Excellent! Wanna buy my 80-200 AF-S just recently seviced by Nikon, lol!

[Nick]

Thanks for sharing... but actually I can't see any of your images

[Nikhil]

I am among those that has pre-ordered the new 70-200 VRII. But I just don't believe that the older version's VR is so bad - as illustrated in your photo (the second shot from top). To me it just looks like poor handholding technique or something done on purpose to make the newer version shine.

Also please post some shots to back up the corner to corner sharpness claims about this lens. Thanks

[cliff mautner]

Hi Nikhil
thanks for stopping by. There was nothing scientific about this brief test. I've only had it for a few days. I don't have poor handholding technique, I assure you. I did this test in good faith, and I tried my best to hold both lenses still. At 1/13th, you can't expect to have sharp images with that focal length. The new lens was able to handle it. I did make a few that had movement, but most were sharp. I could not, however, get a tack sharp image under the same conditions with the older version. My integrity is important to me, and I wouldn't sacrifice it just to promote a lens. Try it for yourself when it becomes available.

[cliff mautner]

One other thing. I'll be posting images to prove corner to corner sharpness asap.

[Nikhil]

Thanks for the response Cliff. If what you say is true about the VR (as evidenced in your photos), then WOW! I am so glad to be in line to get this lens.

Needless to say, your work is absolutely top notch and inspirational. Thanks!

[James - NYC Wedding Photographer]

Thanks for sharing such a detailed and informative review. I am sold. I will be taking advantage of my NPS membership to get this ASAP.

[Raphael Hukai]

WOWWOWWOW! woooooooooooow :)

I don't deserve this lens, but stil...

Thank you so much for sharing! I was expecting a nice review about this lens, but didn't expect this level of WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[twitter.com/christopheborg]

Thanks for sharing. That is one sharp glass. Got to get on that NPS list.

[Guy Van Hooveld (aka gugs on several forums)]

thanks for the review...
the new VR is very impressive but I do see some very slight vignetting (less than in the previous design however) and the center sharpness is not more impressive than in the previous design). In other words, an interesting proposal if you really need very low shutter speeds, and the evident choice if you don't the first design, but for the rest, with the right settings, I am not really convinced there is any significant improvement at all...

[Picard]

Stunning pictures, this lens is a wannahave for sure...
The only thing that mistifies me, is the depth of field in the city pictures at 2.8 ?!
And I do see the vignetting as well on pic 7+8, but it is tiny.
I own the 24-70 and on the outside it looks like its bigger brother. Really loving that lens, and I suspect it will be the same story with the 70-200. Now let's loose a bit of the current retail price Nikon..! Otherwise, like the D3X, it will remain something for the elite. OK, ok, ok, you buy this piece of glass for the next decade and longer (but I do not want to wait till next year to buy one) ;)

[Tim]

Chris,

Thanks very much for your efforts in posting this information. I'm very jealous of your status as a field tester for new Nikon goodies. You deserve it though as you are an outstanding photographer. I love my existing nano coated lenses (14-24, 24-70, 60 and 105) and can't wait to add this one to my stable - been on the pre-order list since announcement day wondering if I was indeed upgrading from the Mk.I version or not. Seems like a pretty decent upgrade to me.

[Lara Parent]

holy.crap.

[Gary]

Canon, who was that...?

[Shun]

wow, your images are telling !!! I've just got to try out the lens myself, pre-order now !! Thank you for sharing, Cliff.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=607050862]

so what does it look like on a d3x ?.. I don't like the images I get from my 70-200 2.8 at all on the d3x and pretty much refuse to use it ..
now it's ok on the d3 but not on the d3x.. so i'd love to see some samples with the d3x when you get a chance please.

for example: here's a shot from this weekends wedding with the d3x and 70-200 2.8 vr1 (old version) at 90mm. notice some funny stuff all over the image ?? :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4004548398_e670992f2a_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rexyinc/4004548398/
thanks
Tony.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=607050862]

cant edit on her e- i should also point out - i wasn't using a filter of any type on the lens. nothing nadda zip. just bare lense glass :)

[cliff mautner]

Hi Tony
I don't own a D3x! I'm sorry about that. I took a look at the image, Tony, and they look pretty good to me. Perhaps I'm missing something. Other than a bit of flare, it looks good.

[John Harrison]

Thanks for the great review! Great images and I am now more excited and am looking forward to playing with it myself - it wasn't clear when they announced it if it REALLY was going to be any better (or just $500 more expensive!) Glad to see it is and having some knowledgeable feedback. I will have to get one on order.
Thanks,
John

[roman]

I ordered this baby a day after it was announced - still have to wait a month for it. Grrr, you lucky bastard, lol.