Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Lens

The Nikon 70-200mm VR is a professional lens intended for use on film and full-frame FX cameras, and therefore my review will address this 70-200mm from this full-frame perspective. In the few instances I refer to the amateur DX format, I'll call it out.

The only reason not to get this lens is the price, size and weight, all of which are to professional standards. You can get the same superb optical performance in lenses that cost much less, but they won't have VR, or they'll require moving a switch to get to manual focus, or they won't zoom, or they won't autofocus. If you're shooting DX, the 55-200mm DX VR is just about as sharp, but doesn't move as fast or take as much of a beating.

The reason the 70-200mm VR costs ten times what other equally sharp lenses might cost are because the 70-200 VR also offers:

1.) Fast f/2.8 speed for low light, soft backgrounds and action-stopping shutter speeds.

2.) Built tough: all metal except for rubber gaskets and bumpers.

3.) Built to last: many markings are engraved to outlast all of us.

4.) Fast, quiet AF with a silent wave motor. You won't scare sensitive subjects as other AF lenses might.

5.) Instant manual-focus override: just grab the focus ring at any time

6.) Vibration reduction so you can leave the tripod at home.

7.) Three AF-Lock buttons to lock focus when pressed and held. These are extremely handy once you learn to use them.

This 70-200mm f/2.8 VR is one of the two lenses used by most professional photographers every day. The other lens is usually a wide zoom on a second body.

Nikon's other 80-200 f/2.8 AF costs much less and offers the same great optics and fast f/2.8 aperture as the VR lens, but doesn't offer advantages 4~7 above. Nikon's previous 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S offered most of the advantages of this 70-200mm VR, except for vibration reduction.