Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Nikon

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009MDBQ
• Item model number: B00009MDBQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Lens-making is an art--Nikon artisans craft Nikkor optics from the finest materials, taking pride in adding their intellect and technique to bring the world's finest lenses to life. They push the leading edge of lens-making in their effort to provide the "glass" that makes the world's greatest pictures.

AF Nikkor lenses work with Nikon SLRs for optimal performance, even the very latest. The Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR is a compact, lightweight G-type fast telephoto zoom with Vibration Reduction. VR operation offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed three stops (eight times) faster. In addition, active vibration mode selection is possible, for use in an active situation such as in a car, boat, or plane. VR On/Off mode available.

The lens holds a fast and constant f2.8 maximum aperture through the entire focal range. The built-in Single Wave Motor provides ultra-fast, ultra-quiet AF operation. Five ED glass elements offer higher optical performance, and is protected by a dust and waterproof rubber sealing mount.

Internal-focusing design smooths focusing and has great body balance, and the filter attachment does not rotate with focusing. It also features an M/A mode that enables instant switching from autofocus to manual with virtually no lag time even during AF servo operation, no power consumption during manual focus operation, rounded diaphragm (9 blades) for natural blur, and focuses as close as 4.9 feet in autofocus and 4.6 feet in manual focus. High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating offers superior color reproduction and minimizes ghost and flare. Detachable tripod mounting collar provided.

The new G design enables apertures to be selected from select Nikon AF SLR camera bodies, incorporating distance information for flash and ambient light exposure processes. Fully compatible with Nikon TC-14E II, TC-17E II, and TC-20E II teleconverters and D1X, D2H, D1H, D100, D70, F6, F5, F100, N80, N75, and N65 cameras.

ED glass: An essential element of Nikkor telephoto lenses
Nikon developed ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to enable the production of lenses that offer superior sharpness and color correction by minimizing chromatic aberration. Put simply, chromatic aberration is a type of image and color dispersion that occurs when light rays of varying wavelengths pass through optical glass. In the past, correcting this problem for telephoto lenses required special optical elements that offer anomalous dispersion characteristics--specifically calcium fluoride crystals. However, fluorite easily cracks and is sensitive to temperature changes that can adversely affect focusing by altering the lens' refractive index. So Nikon designers and engineers put their heads together and came up with ED glass, which offers all the benefits and none of the drawbacks of calcium fluorite-based glass. With this innovation, Nikon developed several types of ED glass suitable for various lenses. They deliver stunning sharpness and contrast even at their largest apertures. In this way, Nikkor's ED-series lenses exemplify Nikon's preeminence in lens innovation and performance.

Nikon Super Integrated Coating ensures exceptional performance
To enhance the performance of its optical lens elements, Nikon employs an exclusive multilayer lens coating that helps reduce ghost and flare to a negligible level. Nikon Super Integrated Coating achieves a number of objectives, including minimized reflection in the wider wavelength range and superior color balance and reproduction. Nikon Super Integrated Coating is especially effective for lenses with a large number of elements, like our Zoom-Nikkors. Also, Nikon's multilayer coating process is tailored to the design of each particular lens. The number of coatings applied to each lens element is carefully calculated to match the lens type and glass used, and also to assure the uniform color balance that characterizes Nikkor lenses. This results in lenses that meet much higher standards than the rest of the industry.

Internal Focusing
Imagine being able to focus a lens without it changing in size. Nikon's IF technology enables just that. All internal optical movement is limited to the interior of the non-extending lens barrel. This allows for a more compact, lightweight construction as well as a closer focusing distance. In addition, a smaller and lighter focusing lens group is employed to ensure faster focusing. The IF system is featured in most Nikkor telephoto and selected Nikkor zoom lenses.

Distance information
D-type and G-type Nikkors relay subject-to-camera distance information to AF Nikon camera bodies. This then makes possible advances like 3D Matrix Metering and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash. Note: D-type and G-type Nikkors provide distance information to the following cameras: Auto exposure; F6, F5, F100, F90X, F80, F75, F70, F65, F60, F55, F50, Pronea S, Pronea 600i, D2 series, D1 series, D100, and D70s/D70. Flash control; F6, F5, F100, F90X, F80, F75, F70, D2 series, D1 series, D100, and D70s/D70 cameras.

G-type Nikkor lens
The G-type Nikkor has no aperture ring; aperture should be selected from camera body.

Silent Wave Motor
Nikon's AF-S technology is yet another reason professional photographers like Nikkor telephoto lenses. AF-S Nikkors feature Nikon's SWM which converts "traveling waves" into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables high-speed autofocusing that's extremely accurate and super quiet.

M/A mode
AF-S Nikkors feature Nikon's exclusive M/A mode, that allows switching from autofocus to manual operation with virtually no time lag--even during AF servo operation and regardless of AF mode in use.

Vibration Reduction (VR)
This innovative VR system minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, and offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops (eight times) faster. It allows handheld shooting at dusk, at night, and even in poorly lit interiors. The lens' VR system also detects automatically when the photographer pans--no special mode is required.

VR operation works with the Nikon F6, F5, F100, F80, F75, F65, D2-series, D1-series, D100, D70-series, and D50 cameras.

What's in the Box:
Lens, 77mm snap-on front lens cap, rear lens cap LF-1, bayonet hood HB-29, soft pouch CL-M2.

Product Description

Exclusive Silent Wave Motor enables ultra-high-speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful super-quiet operation VR operation offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed 3 stops faster. In addition, active vibration mode selection is possible. For using in an active situation such as in a car, boat or plane. VR ON/OFF mode available New cosmetic design 5 ED elements reduce chromatic aberrations providing superior optica performance - even at maximum aperture Fully compatible with Nikon TC-14E II and TC-20E II Teleconverters Internal Focusing (IF) design for smoother focusing and great body balance M/A mode enable instant switching from autofocus to manual with virtually no lag time even during AF servo operation No power consumption during manual focus operation Rounded diaphragm (9 blades) for natural blur Focuses as close as 4.9ft (AF) 4.6ft (MF) High-performance Nikon Super Intergrated Coating offers superior color reproduction and minimizes ghost and flare Detachable tripod mounting collar provided Filter attachment does not rotate with focusing New G design enables apertures to be selected from select Nikon AF SLR camera bodies New G design incorporates distance informatin for flash and ambient light exposure processes Fully compatible with D1X, D1H, D100, F5, F100, N80, N75 and N65

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

207 of 209 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want a perfect lens? Here it is. (At least as far as telezooms go), March 7, 2006

By 

Roger J. Buffington (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

This lens has only two "faults." First, it is big and heavy--quality construction often yields a heavy lens. Second, once the photographer has seen the results that this lens can produce, there is a likelihood that he or she will be unhappy with the other lenses in the camera bag.

Results first: the images are razor sharp with this zoom mounted on my Nikon D70s. I can get shots that I never could get before because this lens is so crisp that subjects taken at a distance nevertheless can be cropped to produce an acceptable close-up image. Subjects taken at more normal distances are breathtakingly sharp--as if shot with an excellent prime lens. This is a fast lens (F/2.8 throughout its entire zoom range). Almost more importantly, this lens has the best "Bokeh" that I have ever experienced in a lens. "Bokeh," to the extent that I understand the concept (it is a Japanese word meaning roughly "unfocused"), is a word describing whether the out-of-focus portion of an image (i.e. a blurred background in a photo in which only the subject is in focus) has a pleasing look to it. This lens produces wonderful, creamy Bokeh. The sharpness and Bokeh, combined with the excellent bright color rendition of this lens, makes this one a true classic.

I have occasionally experienced minor ghosting on this lens when shooting into a very bright subject, i.e. the sun reflecting off of the ocean. This is a normal shortfall of a zoom lens comprised of a multitude of elements, and I have sometimes experienced this. But such occasions are rare.

The autofocusing action of this lens is very good. Even birds at very long distances usually produce a quick, snappy autofocus lock on my Nikon D70s. Very seldom does it "hunt" for an AF lock, and these occasions are likely due to operator error rather than the lens. This lens also features Vibration Reduction (VR) which enables it to produce acceptable images below what an F/2.8 lens would otherwise be suitable for. The VR really works, too, although it is by no means a panacea for dim lighting.

This is one of Nikon's professional lenses, and the quality of construction is excellent. The critical mount is metal, and the entire lens is built like a tank. The lens comes with a nice squeeze-style lens cap, and a very good lens hood that can be easily reversed for storage.

The reader can see that I am extremely enamored with this lens. The reason is that, notwithstanding its bulk and weight, this lens produces the best nature shots that I have ever managed to take, by far.

200 of 207 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Already a Legend!, May 31, 2005

By 

Robert Brody "Capt. RB" (Kew gardens, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Yes, this lens is already legend, and no, it's not just a bunch of people trying to justify spending a whole lot of cash on a lens. Make no mistake, this lens is BIG and expensive. It's not fitting into your travel bag nor is it at home at a friend's party. For that bring the 18-70mm, 28-200G or just bring a cheaper P&S type camera in case you spill beer on it!
The 70-200 VR is a pro level lens that gets almost everything right. It's size is the byproduct of an optical design that really makes few, if any compromises. This lens is SHARP...as sharp as my 50mm prime and sharper wide open that you might believe or expect. On a D70 the focus is lightening fast and quite exact. Color rendition is the best I've seen. I do much less post processing when this baby is on the D70.
On the problematic side, this lens is BIG. It's heavy and in the way, though reasonably easy to grasp. I added a Harbortronics portrait grip and the handling/balance is improved. It needs a big bag and focuses down to a bit under 5 feet. While it's a fantastic portrait lens, you need room to get the most out of it. My first shots with this lens put my more experienced lenses to shame. The bokeh, or quality of out-of-focus areas were creamy and pleasing. Subjects had a 3D quality to them.
The VR system is exactly what you'd expect. I sat on my couch, framed the text on my DVD player about 8 feet away and shot at F/2.8 ISO 200 for a 1/2 second exposure. At 200mm (300mm on the D70) the image was sharp. Without VR I got a big blur.
The real question is: Do you need a 1700 dollar lens?
Answer: Only if you want it. The quality is all there at a level that has people talking about this lens like it's magic. I have friends who shoot pro with Canon and Nikon. Even the Canon users say the 70-200VR is the best of it's kind. Sell a kidney and buy one!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Expose like a pro!, July 11, 2006

By 

Tom Schwab (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I have used this lens for over 6 months now and have over 1k shots through it. It is as fantastic as others note herein. The 2.8 through the focus range is really great. Superb. The VR function is really a neat trick. It is super fun to play with.

The drawbacks are size and weight. After a 1/2 hour of shooting, your arms will get tired. Remember to be careful and hold the lens and not the camera. This lens is definately heavy enough to bend/warp the camera body.

Jan 07 update
This lens still gets a lot of action and I am still very happy. I have been using it for some portrait work with the VR turned off and it seems to produce some very high quality images with nice bokeh. I used it at a large wedding and it allowed me to get a variety of shots that would have ordinarily required lens changes. The 70 to 200 is a very nice range to get some very nice shots. A really right stuff modified foot (lcf-10? I think) is also useful. Have fun.