Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Nikon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       end
  

Archive 2012 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II

  
 
Ben Horne
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


These images were processed via Aperture with standard sharpening settings. I do prefer photoshop for RAW conversion, but I need to update to CS6. I'm only running CS4.

This is the first in a series of test shots I did today between the 70-200 f/4 VR and the 2.8 VR mark II. My D800 was tripod mounted, focused via magnified live view, and triggered with mirror lockup via cable release. VR was turned off.

Here's the full scene:

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200full.jpg

100% crop of 70-200mm 2.8 VR mark II shot at 200mm f/8

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200a1.jpg

100% crop of 70-200mm 4 VR shot at 200mm f/8

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200a2.jpg

100% crop of 70-200mm 2.8 VR mark II shot at 200mm f/8

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200b1.jpg

100% crop of 70-200mm 4 VR shot at 200mm f/8

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200b2.jpg

They are almost dead nuts, but the 2.8 seems to have an ever so slight lead. I have more comparisons I will be posting in the next hour or so.



Dec 07, 2012 at 10:54 PM
SSISteve
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


Thanks for posting. I am curious as to how good the f/4 turns out to be. I guess a couple of advantages for the f2.8 is that the f/4 can't shoot f/2.8 and won't take a TC as well.


Steve



Dec 07, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Ben Horne
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


Here's another test with the same methodology as the first, also at f/8.

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200c.jpg

70-200mm f/2.8 VR II @ 200mm f/8

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200c28.jpg

70-200mm f/4 VR @ 200mm f/8

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200c4.jpg



Dec 07, 2012 at 11:12 PM
Andre Labonte
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


Nice. Thanks for posting


Dec 07, 2012 at 11:23 PM
Ben Horne
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


Here are some more 100% crops at f/8. I also shot each of these scenes at f/4, but in each instance, either the f/4 or the 2.8 was unusable due to some sort of issue... possibly shake from not letting the mirror settle long enough while using mirror lockup. Luckly, the f/8 shots were solid.

This example was shot as TIFF files, and all processing was done in camera via default processing.

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200d.jpg

100% crop of 70-200mm 2.8 VR II @ f/8 200mm

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200d28.jpg

100% crop of 70-200mm 4 VR @ f/8 200mm

http://www.benhorne.com/photos/70200d4.jpg



Dec 07, 2012 at 11:26 PM
jmcfadden
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


interesting Ben, the f4 seems just ever so slightly more contrasty than the 2.8 version perhaps just a bit of veiling flare across a larger piece of glass?

In truth the images would be impossible to tell apart if printed

good work young man


J



Dec 07, 2012 at 11:30 PM
mark1958
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


I have both lenses and did a test today with the D800. All the shots I took were handheld. I shot in RAW and used CS6 for conversion. I shot at 70, 105, 200mm at f2.8, 4, 5.6, and 8. In terms of center sharpness- both were very close. I would say at 70 and 105 my 2.8 lens had a minimal advantage. At 200mm the center was quite similar perhaps a slight edge to the f4 but I was outside and the light was changing so if there was a difference it was ever so slight. The real differences came when i looked at the corners. Again it was a D800 so full frame. At 70 and 105mm the 2.8mm lens was better in the corners. THe differences were less noticeable as I moved towards f8. At 200mm, the f4 lens was a bit better at the corners at all apertures I tested.


Dec 07, 2012 at 11:43 PM
dj dunzie
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


I'd be a lot more curious as to some comparisons at f4.0 to see how the new lens compares wide open against the f2.8 at f4. If it's really good wide open I bet a lot of people would be jumping on the new lens.


Dec 07, 2012 at 11:49 PM
AndreasE
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


SSISteve wrote:
Thanks for posting. I am curious as to how good the f/4 turns out to be. I guess a couple of advantages for the f2.8 is that the f/4 can't shoot f/2.8 and won't take a TC as well.
Steve

Steve,
the AFS 70-200mm/4 VR takes TC as well as the 2.8 VR II does.
Here is an example

To your question. Compared to all 2.8 versions (which I have) , imho is the 70-200mm/4 VR is a great lens. From a size perspective, it gets this focal range back to a size comparable to the inititial AF 80-200mm/2.8, which is handy. Except with the 2.8 VR II, the f4 lens is optical better than all previous 2.8 versions.
I posted some early impressions here at fm.

Shot a while ago - the 2.8 family:
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/131190516/original.jpg

the f4 compared to the VRII, 70-300mm and the old AF 70-210/4
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/146937083/original.jpg

Give it a try - and decide for yourself
My tip: You won't regret.


rgds,
Andy



Dec 08, 2012 at 04:51 AM
RRRoger
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


I like the lens pictures best.
Which lens was used to take those?



Dec 08, 2012 at 09:16 AM
MackDaddy1962
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


For Andy's two lens product shots:

1.

Camera Maker: NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model: NIKON D700
Image Date: 2010-05-08 20:01:04 (no TZ)
Focal Length: 105.0mm (35mm equivalent: 105mm)
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
ISO equiv: 200
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No
Orientation: Normal
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Software: Capture NX 2.2.5 W

2.

Camera Maker: NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model: NIKON D800E
Image Date: 2012-10-25 11:28:26 (no TZ)
Focal Length: 60mm (35mm equivalent: 60mm)
Aperture: f/9.0
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
ISO equiv: 100
Exposure Bias: -0.33 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Software: Capture NX 2.3.4 W



Dec 08, 2012 at 10:24 AM
harvey steeves
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


somebody else's house I'm going to have break into ...


Dec 08, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Ben Horne
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


dj dunzie wrote:
I'd be a lot more curious as to some comparisons at f4.0 to see how the new lens compares wide open against the f2.8 at f4. If it's really good wide open I bet a lot of people would be jumping on the new lens.



I'll take some more samples that show them at f/4. I didn't post any this time because they didn't seem favorable toward the 2.8 lens --- so I figured something must have went wrong with those shots.



Dec 08, 2012 at 11:40 AM
mark1958
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


Ben At 200mm-- my f4 lens was better in the corners. Even perhaps a tad better in the center too


Dec 08, 2012 at 12:17 PM
smcphotos
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


I'm really interested in the f/4 version for my d800. I'm bummed at the extra price for the collar, though. Anyone know if Kirk or RRS has or will have a collar with arca Swiss foot?


Dec 08, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Joseph.
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


They look almost dead even, but the f/4 lens shows a hint of CA.


Dec 08, 2012 at 12:51 PM
trenchmonkey
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


Yeah but f2.8 gives ya twice the SS or 1/2 the ISO, and the best subject isolation/gorgeous bokeh & OOF areas.
Don't see how one can compare apples and oranges...certainly didn't buy my mine to shoot at f4 just sayin'



Dec 08, 2012 at 12:59 PM
jhinkey
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


trenchmonkey wrote:
Yeah but f2.8 gives ya twice the SS or 1/2 the ISO, and the best subject isolation/gorgeous bokeh & OOF areas.
Don't see how one can compare apples and oranges...certainly didn't buy my mine to shoot at f4 just sayin'


But some of us DID buy the 70-200VRII for shooting at f/4 and above because of the lack of viable alternatives (and my 70-300VR never measured up for me). You also need to compare the nearly twice the weight and volume and the hefty price of the f/2.8 version.

You can compare apples and oranges, you just can't expect them to taste the same.

I will likely own both and use the f/4 and f/2.8 versions where they are the appropriate tool for the task at hand. I personally would like to know how the f/4 version stacks up against the f/2.8 version because there are times when f/2.8 is a nice to have and weight/size are not paramount, but the f/4 could do the job as well. As soon as my local pro shop calls me with a 70-200/4VR I will be able to directly compare them (my first copy of the f/4 had centering issues)



Dec 08, 2012 at 01:41 PM
AndreasE
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


I would differentiate the "double shutterspeed" topic.
1) Yes it is true and super important when shooting things in motion
2) Its kind of irrelevant when shooting things not in motion - the VR compensates this more or less easily.

D600, ISO 1000, distance approx 500 yards, 200mm, handheld, 1/30 sec, f4, 1920x1080

http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/147755406/original.jpg

with regards to subject isolation. The 2.8 VR II is an excellent lens, but I would consider the difference not too big.

Chorus at the local christmas market
D600, ISO 1000, 35mm,
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/147755408/original.jpg

D600, 200mm, f4, ISO 800, handheld, 1920x1920
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/147755410/original.jpg


This little girl watched the performance with attention. Standing on the side of the audience. It was quite dark
D600, 200mm, 1/30 sec, f4, ISO 3200
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/147755413/original.jpg

BTW, the lens is just short enough that it fits with the D600 attached into the Thinktank Retrospective 10. Nice for city shooting.

rgds,
Andy



Edited on Dec 08, 2012 at 04:13 PM · View previous versions



Dec 08, 2012 at 02:28 PM
Bruce Sawle
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · 70-200mm f4 VR vs. 70-200mm 2.8 VR II


Is there any focus breathing on the F4 version?


Dec 08, 2012 at 03:43 PM
1
       2       3       end




FM Forums | Nikon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       end
    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.