Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: HSakols on December 20, 2012, 03:37:59 pm

Title: Nikon 70-200 f4 VR
Post by: HSakols on December 20, 2012, 03:37:59 pm
It looks like this lens is finally available.  Right now I use the 70-300 vr, but I'm hoping this has better optics.  Now the question is do I need a tripod collar for this lens mounted on a D800?  I've heard that it is similar in size to Nikon's 180 mm which does not have a collar and is quite small.  What do you think?
Title: Re: Nikon 70-200 f4 VR
Post by: kers on December 20, 2012, 03:54:54 pm
I have read it is not necessary... ( www.diglloyd.com)
and you always can buy this expensive collar later on if you need it...


Title: Re: Nikon 70-200 f4 VR
Post by: Ellis Vener on December 21, 2012, 10:53:00 am
Necessary? Depends on the photos you are making.
Title: Re: Nikon 70-200 f4 VR
Post by: HSakols on December 21, 2012, 10:53:22 am
Has anyone compared this lens to the 70-300 VR between 70-200?  I always shoot from a tripod and rarely us VR.  Are the optics of this lens significantly better than the 70-300 at middle apertures?  I understand that the 70-200 is a different class of lens, but is it really better?
Title: Re: Nikon 70-200 f4 VR
Post by: jeremypayne on December 21, 2012, 12:07:27 pm
It looks like this lens is finally available. 

I have been waiting for this lens for a LONG TIME!
Title: Re: Nikon 70-200 f4 VR
Post by: stever on December 21, 2012, 01:07:56 pm
i use the Canon 70-200 f4 without a tripod collar, but use a RRS L-bracket and nodal slide to get the center of gravity of the camera/lens (or camera/1.4x/lens) over the center of the ballhead or gimbal.  since Nikon and Canon sell the lenses without collar i assume they don't consider them to excessively stress the lens mount. 

based on my Canon experience i'd guess the Nikon 70-200 with extender is at least as good as the old 70-300.
Title: Re: Nikon 70-200 f4 VR
Post by: JeffKohn on December 21, 2012, 01:21:14 pm
Has anyone compared this lens to the 70-300 VR between 70-200?  I always shoot from a tripod and rarely us VR.  Are the optics of this lens significantly better than the 70-300 at middle apertures?  I understand that the 70-200 is a different class of lens, but is it really better?
IMHO the 70-300VR is not so hot on 24-36mp sensors, at least not my copy. It's not terrible, but certainly nowhere near as good as my other lenses so I've been looking forward to this 70-200/4.

Lloyd Chambers did some comparison shots and the new f/4 seems to hold up well against the 2.8 VR II except maybe in the very extreme corners, so I'm optimistic. Will probably be picking one of these up before the spring but have no immediate need now.

As for the collar, it doesn't look like the lens is really all the big, but the weight could be a factor especially if it's at all front heavy. I definitely won't be getting the Nikon collar though. I'm sure Kirk and Really Right Stuff will have Arca-compatible versions available before too long.