Customer Reviews

Nikon 200mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

5 star:		(3)
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It weights as much as the af-s 300mm f/2.8 (gen 1) but is about 2.5" shorter in length. The primary lens is the same size, and it's a chore to lug around. 10lbs to be exact with a D700 and a battery grip. The personality of the lens, e.g. sharpness, bokeh, is similar to the 105mm DC Nikkor f/2, except it has faster focus, able to shoot a couple of stops faster with VR, and has a 200mm focal length.

It's sharp wide open at f/2 and insanely sharp from 2.8 and beyond under non-challenging lighting conditions. The quality of the optics makes it somewhat more bearable to lug around, but it's dimension is unconventional--stubby and shorter than the other Nikon super telephotos. Ironically, it doesn't balance as well as the af-s 300mm f/2.8 for me. Without a tripod or monopod, I tend to shoot with the camera on my shoulder and arm extended. The 'stubby' 200mm f/2 is harder to grip and balance, but optically it creates the same creamy bokeh as the 300mm albeit a tad sharper. To the very point, it's more comfortable to balance the camera with a 300mm on my shoulder and arm (w/o tripod/monopod) than the 200mm.

I seldom shoot sports, instead I shoot a lot of candid shots of people, particularly children, and the 200mm is absolutely a marvel. Once you're a believer, you can't settle for anything less. Few lens I own can get the level of sharpness I like wide open, and the 200mm f/2g is the sharpest of the lot. (85mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4, 60mm f/2.8, 105mm f/2, 300mm f/4, 300mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8)

I purchased this lens in order to take advantage of the 2.0 f-stop in horribly lit hs gymnasiums. This lens paired with my D2Hs is outstanding. It has to be the best volleyball lens in existence.

The only drawback is that it weighs a TON (better start doing your push-ups!). But, when you see the shots it produces, the weight is no longer a problem. I used a 70-200VR prior to this purchase, and it is/was a great lens, but it isn't even in the 200's class.

If you shoot basketball or volleyball this is a great lens. . . if you can afford it. If you can't, . . well, you only need one kidney.

Update, I have now paired this lens with a D3. . . OUTSTANDING.

this is the cheaper earlier version of the lens. if you want the latest one keep looking. Amazon sell it but the price is higher.