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| Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras | 
 enlarge | Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
List Price: $2,295.00
Buy New: $1,950.00
You Save: $345.00 (15%)
New (4) from $1,950.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  35 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Optical Zoom: 2.9
Maximum Focal Length: 200
Minimum Focal Length: 70
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 12.9 x 7.6 x 7.5
MPN: 2139
Model: 2139
UPC: 018208021390
EAN: 0018208021390
ASIN: B00009MDBQ
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Outstanding Lens For Those Who Need The Speed September 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This lens is one of Nikon's most popular mid range zoom with professionals and serious non-pros willing to fork over $1,700 or so. While there are other Nikon lenses in this zoom range for considerably less money, this one fits the needs of photographers requiring outstanding optics and the speed of a fixed aperture f2.8 lens. (Most kit lenses are variable aperture, meaning the aperture gets smaller as you zoom in.)
I purchased this lens specifically for photographing night football games. I needed the widest aperture in order to capture fast action (using faster shutter speeds) at an ISO that would not result in excessive noise (graininess). For similar reasons, I needed the extra stabilization that the excellent Vibration Reduction (VR) provides, which is why I bought this lens over the similar 80-200 f2.8 that Nikon offers at about half the price. The VR allows you to hand hold the camera at slower shutter speeds, providing the equivalent of 2 stops of additional effective range.
This lens is professional grade - built like a tank and relatively heavy. I use it with a monopod at games for stability. It's features are well documented so I see no need to comment in detail. Just know that the autofocus is very fast and precise and the image quality is superb. Of course, this is true of most of Nikon's lenses regardless of price.
What you're getting by purchasing this lens is flexibility of use and better quality of build. Don't buy it expecting your photographs to magically and suddenly start looking like those you see in Sports Illustrated or National Geographic. Photos of your Sunday afternoon family picnic might not look any better than those taken with the $140 70-300mm f/4-5.6G. However, rest assured that in shooting situations where you need the wider aperture, this lens will blow a kit lens out of the water.
Bottom line: If you plan to take advantage of the wide aperture, this lens is an uncompromising must-have. It is an outstanding lens for those who need its features and capabilities. However, if all or most of your shots are outdoors in bright sunshine, or rarely go lower than f3.5 or f4, this lens is probably more than you need. Save your money and get the excellent all purpose AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED or the less expensive AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED.
Terrific lens - lousy service September 19, 2008
First, I have to say that this is an absolutely fantastic lens...anyone considering one will know that already, so I'm not saying anything new here. I had the prior-generation 80-200 (which itself was a tremendous lens) and I have to say that this one is better in every category. If you're wondering, yes, it's definitely worth the money to upgrade.
My complaint was with Amazon's partner JR. I purchased this lens through them, even though it was more expensive than some other vendors, because they advertised it as "in stock, but takes an additional 2-3 days". Well, it wasn't in stock at all - and they couldn't tell me whether it was a few days, or six weeks. I ended up having to go through the hassle of canceling my order and hunting the lens down at another merchant.
In fairness to JR, this lens is very popular among pros, and it was just before the 2008 Olymipcs, so apparently a worldwide backorder situation existed for this particular product. Still, advertising it as "In Stock" when it's not seems deceptive to me.
A proper piece of glass August 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I recently bought this lens to get some sports shots at the Beijing Olympics, and I must say that so far the hefty price has proved to be justified. I primarily use it on a D200, and it focuses really fast, silently, and accurately. Colours, bokeh, and resolution are all great. It is, in a word, great. It is a bit big, though. It's size and weight makes it less than convenient to carry around your neck, but, that said, it is easy to support it with one of your hands while walking around, and it's quite thoroughly thought through in the ergonomics department, making it easy to use.
The VR is a big bonus, and does work quite well. It definitely makes a big difference when shooting indoor sports. I hear Nikon've made an updated version of their vibration reduction technology that's supposedly even better, but the one used in this lens is still good.
I join the already big crowd of reviewers who say that this is one good lens and definitely worth the price. I do, however, think, that if you don't shoot handheld, the Sigma 70-200mm would probably be just as good an investment.
Another fine lens from Nikon August 6, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Nikon, like Canon and other manufacturers, produces their fixed aperture zoom lenses to their highest standards of quality. This lens is no exception; most reviewers, and certainly most professional photographers, will agree.
Since you already know this is a good lens, before you buy, ask yourself how you're hoping to use it. This is not a casual walk-about lens; it is heavy, and will make your arm(s) tired. If you're not willing to lug it around, you're not going to use it; any camera lens, no matter how good it is, does nothing for you while sitting unused on your shelf.
If you plan on using this lens exclusively at apertures smaller than f/4, you're not making the best use of your money-- you can spend half as much money, and buy a variable aperture lens that provides the same fundamental imaging capabilities. While this lens is probably sharpest at f/5.6, that's not where it truly shines.
Shooting wide open at f/2.8, this lens performs beautifully. Portrait photography (especially candid photos, such as one might take as a guest at a wedding), medium-distance wildlife photography, outdoor sports photography-- these are all fabulous uses for this lens. I am always pleased to put this lens on my camera and start taking pictures, because I naturally lean towards single-subject compositions, and this lens is perfect for making high-quality images while picking out a subject against an interesting background.
That's not to say it can't take fine images stopped down-- of course it can. When taking landscape photos, I regularly make several images with this lens in addition to what I capture with a wider angle lens.
Buy this lens because you plan to use its unique capabilities, not because you feel you deserve the best. If you won't be pushing the boundaries of a 55-200mm, f/4-5.6 lens (which, for what it does, Nikon's version is a fine lens), you certainly won't be leveraging what the 70-200 f/2.8 has to offer, and would be better off with the smaller, lighter, and cheaper lens.
Great fast distance zoom!!! August 5, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Fantastic lenes..use it with my D300. For longer reach I use a Nikon 2x extension...still running only 5.6 at 400 mm. VR really helpful at that range. Note that MSRP on this lens is $1795. Do NOT get ripped off; do not pay a penny more.
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