Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR

[thaddeus]

A few weeks ago, I read shakey's Working out the 70 - 200 VR thread which turned out to be the second most expensive thread I have read on this forum. The most expensive thread is of course BirdDog's Lens Lust.

So, after a quick transfer to Birddog and various various legal threats to Gary on the 1st of April, Birddog let me know that my new 70-200 was at Nikon Belmore. I picked it up a couple of nights ago and thought I'd post my thoughts so far

1. Get a bigger boot

The box it comes in is very large and only just fit into my boot! Luckily the lens is a lot smaller, but it's still quite heavy!



2. It's so sharp it hurts!

Here's the flag on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (100% crop)



3. It really sings when you play with the bokeh

Sharp, but flat:


That's more like it


It will be a lot of fun to learn more! For example, is there a generally acknowledge sweet-spot for this lens?

[Alpha_7]

Congrats for joing the elite 70-200VR club! That 100% crop is impressive, was it take from your balcony ? I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun breaking in your new baby, and you need to get a bigger boot!

[MCWB]

For example, is there a generally acknowledge sweet-spot for this lens?

Actually it's pretty much just sweet! I find it's a little bit sharper at f/4 than f/2.8 but that's being totally nitpicky, I use it at f/2.8 all the time with superb results.

[antman]

Congrats on the purchase.

Its a great lens.

[shakey]

A few weeks ago, I read shakey's Working out the 70 - 200 VR thread which turned out to be the second most expensive thread I have read on this forum. The most expensive thread is of course BirdDog's Lens Lust.

Heh..Heh...

I thought you were joking about getting the lens. Congrats..its a great lens ...but it still doesn't have as long a reach as the 70-300G . My 70-200 VR came with the huge standard gold box, not the new improved version you have. When the courier delivered it at work my first thought was "Shit, how am I going to be able to hide that from the wife?"

At the moment my lens is "resting" since the D70 is in at Maxwell Clinic awaiting surgery (3 weeks now). I've sent it a "Get well soon card" and a bunch of flowers. Might have to get the F80 out of the cupboard if the hospitalisation lasts much longer.

[birddog114]

The gold boxes are designed to use for all Nikkor glasses sold outside of the USofA.
The boxes with full of printed glasses are the designed sold in the States only, with the circle stated "5 years of protection included" it's only applied to the purchasers who purchase the lens in USofA.

[Glen]

Very nice results Thaddeus, sharp enough to shave by. I agree with Trent, I think the lens is good everywhere

[Poon]

Very nice lens.
I did not bring this lens to Sydney last time and took Glen's 70-200 vr for bridge shooting and it was great.
I told Glen that at that time 70-200 vr was very short in supply and Glen worried that I may not return the lens to him.
---------
Regards
Poon

[nito]

This lens is always attached to the D70. I enjoy using it more and more everyday. Congrats on the informed and really excellent purchase.

[Glen]

Very nice lens.
I did not bring this lens to Sydney last time and took Glen's 70-200 vr for bridge shooting and it was great.
I told Glen that at that time 70-200 vr was very short in supply and Glen worried that I may not return the lens to him.
---------
Regards
Poon

Poon, notice that I never let you out of my sight whilst you had that lens

[Alpha_7]

Is that the boot of a Lotus Elise ? I've never seen the inside of the boot, but I imagine it is that small.

[Glen]

Craig, it is and they are that small. Nice small car for you to learn to drive on

[Alpha_7]

One of my dream cars, there is a nice green one parked on the wharf at work. Along with a few Maserati, Aston Martins, Corvettes, Porche etc
For a while we had a Mayback too, impressively huge.

[Glen]

One of my dream cars, there is a nice green one parked on the wharf at work. Along with a few Maserati, Aston Martins, Corvettes, Porche etc
For a while we had a Mayback too, impressively huge.

I feel like Greg B but if you lust after such cars we can do it with correct spelling. Porsche. Maybach.

Those Maybach are huge, rare too I believe there are only four in the country. There is a guy working at North Sydney with one, paid $1.2m with options, funniest thing I thought was that another guy in the same street bought one (he lives in the eastern suburbs). Hard to keep up with the Joneses in that street. In plenty of suburbs you could buy a house for that money.

[Alpha_7]

One of my dream cars, there is a nice green one parked on the wharf at work. Along with a few Maserati, Aston Martins, Corvettes, Porche etc
For a while we had a Mayback too, impressively huge.

I feel like Greg B but if you lust after such cars we can do it with correct spelling. Porsche. Maybach.

Those Maybach are huge, rare too I believe there are only four in the country. There is a guy working at North Sydney with one, paid $1.2m with options, funniest thing I thought was that another guy in the same street bought one (he lives in the eastern suburbs). Hard to keep up with the Joneses in that street. In plenty of suburbs you could buy a house for that money.

Sorry my spelling is awful, and well I still have a lot to learn about cars (including the right spelling). There has been some joking that I should learn to drive on the wharf, but imagine the collateral damage caused by our little Astra to the more pricey cars parked here.

[MATT]

Its aliitle to close to the engine for my liking..

MATT

[gstark]

Is that the boot of a Lotus Elise ? I've never seen the inside of the boot, but I imagine it is that small.

Craig,

That's actually the passenger seat. The boot is even smallerthan mine.

[Alpha_7]

Is that the boot of a Lotus Elise ? I've never seen the inside of the boot, but I imagine it is that small.

Craig,

That's actually the passenger seat. The boot is even smallerthan mine.

I guess he doesn't pick up many hitchhikers then, I'd rather walk then cram myself into that small of a place. BTW Congrats Gary 8000 - 1 posts