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Archive 2017 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

RKnecht
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

So I am thinking it is time to sell/trade my 70-200 VR in for either a VR2 (very affordable if I find a used copy) or go for it and get the new FL version. For those who have either moved from the VR2 to the FL or from the VR1 to the VR2, what have your experiences been in the AF and sharpness categories?

May 11, 2017 at 08:22 AM

guitardirky
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

Get the FL. I went from the VR1 to the FL and it's incredible. Very sharp lens, very light weight. Only thing weird is the zoom and focus rings are reversed.

May 11, 2017 at 09:14 AM

henry albert
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I recently upgraded from the VR1. After a great deal of thought, I went with an excellent quality copy of the VR2 for $1200. In my mind, there is no way the FL is worth $1600 more.

May 11, 2017 at 09:57 AM

ckcarr
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I still refuse to upgrade. The cost benefit just isn't there. I mainly use mine for close in wildlife at dusk or dawn. Any perceived corner issues or vignetting don't really matter to me.

May 11, 2017 at 10:18 AM

henry albert
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

ckcarr wrote:
I still refuse to upgrade. The cost benefit just isn't there. I mainly use mine for close in wildlife at dusk or dawn. Any perceived corner issues or vignetting don't really matter to me.

I only upgraded from the VR1 because the zoom ring has become rough and will probably need service soonly. It's already been fixed once, and Nikon wants $600 to do it again.

May 11, 2017 at 11:02 AM

golfinz
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I borrowed the FL for a day and it is much improved from the V2, which I owned for a few months. The images are going to be just as sharp, but the FL is faster and quieter. If you can afford the FL, then go for it. If not, a used v2 will still be a worthwhile upgrade from your V1.

May 11, 2017 at 11:05 AM

Spectro
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I still use a VR1 and have used the VRII. I haven't used the FL but I would have a difficult time quantifying the sharpness vs increased cost as I find the VRI to be very sharp and the VRII is equal or better. Having said that and in fairness, I am mainly a sports shooter and most images involve some amount of cropping so the corners are inconsequential to me.

May 11, 2017 at 11:44 AM

RKnecht
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

henry albert wrote:
I only upgraded from the VR1 because the zoom ring has become rough and will probably need service soonly. It's already been fixed once, and Nikon wants $600 to do it again.

One of the reasons I want to upgrade. I also had the zoom ring fixed once, and it is rough again. As a NPS member, I get a discount on repairs, but I think the money will be better spent on an upgrade.

May 11, 2017 at 11:47 AM

Unclejoe1116
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

Don't have experience with the VR1, but I just got an excellent VR2 on the B&S boards. Had a photo shoot two days later, and I literally used this lens for the entire shoot. So sharp, and very solid. Everyone I've let use it has commented on how well-balanced it feels. (Partnered with a D750, also fantastic.)

May 11, 2017 at 01:23 PM

nuclearjock
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

RKnecht wrote:
So I am thinking it is time to sell/trade my 70-200 VR in for either a VR2 (very affordable if I find a used copy) or go for it and get the new FL version. For those who have either moved from the VR2 to the FL or from the VR1 to the VR2, what have your experiences been in the AF and sharpness categories?

I went VRI>VRII>FL. 70-200 is my most used FL. In my opinion I would rank the lenses FL>VRI>VRII. I didn't like the VRII's focus breathing. IMO, the FL is the sharpest of the three. Except for dof, I can't see any difference @f2.8 vs f8 on my FL. It's expensive but well worth it. You're already shooting a D5 and if I recall you said your wife never saw you as happy. Get the FL and you'll feel the same way.

Edit: On all three of the lenses, AF has been blazing fast. The FL seems to be instantaneous to acquire, focus, and track. Especially with the D5/D500. Again the FL is sharpest of the three.

May 11, 2017 at 02:22 PM

bocajrs
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I went F4>2.8VR>2.8VR2 and couldn't be happier (Purchased new last year on sale for $1896

)
The VR2's are going $1300-1500 used (all the time here in B&S board) and would rather use the remainder of funds on a vacation instead of the FL

May 11, 2017 at 03:46 PM

jrscls
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

Count me as another user that is very happy with my FL. Never owned the previous Nikon versions, but have owned the Canon 70-200 II and the Tamron 70-200 VC.

May 11, 2017 at 07:01 PM

SoundHound
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I went from VR1 to VRII then FL. The VRII was not always better than the VR1. The FL is an amazing lens and worth every Penny If you have the money. Really in another league.

The only drawback is the zoom Ring is at the end of the lens. I put a long rail on the foot so I can put the rail in my palm and twist the zoom with my fingers.

May 12, 2017 at 11:16 PM

dougfatheruk
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I've done this in the last week so this is very fresh in my mind.

I just upgraded from the 70-200 VR1 to the VR2 and in the process sold the f/4, and I'm so glad I did and for two main reasons.

1) The VR2 is hellish sharp at f/2.8, the VR1 was a good lens but I never felt it was as good as I wanted it to be wide open. I don't find the f/4 anywhere near sharp wide open.

2) The VR kicks in almost immediately on the VR2 and is a significant improvement. Whereas I always felt there was a lag with the VR1 that bugged me somewhat.

They're all good lenses but I could never justify the price of the FL.

Cheers

May 13, 2017 at 03:35 PM

nuclearjock
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

dougfatheruk wrote:
They're all good lenses but I could never justify the price of the FL.

Cheers
Shoot it and see if you feel the same.

May 13, 2017 at 11:09 PM

sandy27000
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I went VR1 to VR2 to FL - the FL is fantastic. If you have the money, go for it and you will not need a change for 6-8 years.

May 14, 2017 at 02:55 AM

la puffin
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

henry albert wrote:
I recently upgraded from the VR1. After a great deal of thought, I went with an excellent quality copy of the VR2 for $1200. In my mind, there is no way the FL is worth $1600 more.

Wait a second. You're comparing a used lens price of a previous generation, circa 2009, with an updated version at the MSRP? The VR2 was $2100 new in 2009, which is about $2400 in today's dollars. So it's $400 more.

I really don't care what you do. I shoot sports for an agency so it is worth it to me. I'm just pointing out your apples to oranges comparison.

May 14, 2017 at 03:00 AM

dougfatheruk
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

nuclearjock wrote:
Shoot it and see if you feel the same.

Why, what's it going to give my customers over the 70-200VR2?

As I said, the VR2 addresses my shortcomings with the VR1. Again, I haven't shot the FL and don't need to, but as recent VR1 user who upgraded to the VR2 I highly recommend it.

May 14, 2017 at 07:59 AM

henry albert
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

la puffin wrote:
Wait a second. You're comparing a used lens price of a previous generation, circa 2009, with an updated version at the MSRP? The VR2 was $2100 new in 2009, which is about $2400 in today's dollars. So it's $400 more.

I really don't care what you do. I shoot sports for an agency so it is worth it to me. I'm just pointing out your apples to oranges comparison.

Sorry, but you dropped one of your apples. I didn't buy a theoretical VRII at full price. I bought a real one in excellent, Nikon-serviced condition for $1200. Hence, the 1600 buck difference.

I really don't care what you do, either. Do what you must. Me, I think I'll put that money toward a respray of my 330 CiC.

May 14, 2017 at 09:58 AM

Vinnie_VdB
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Upgrading my 70-200VR1-finally

I have upgraded from VRII to the FL version and I was amazed on the IQ that came from the FL version. Sharpness was the best I have ever seen on a Nikon lens, beautiful colours, ...

If the budget stretch it go for the FL but the VRII is obviously a truly nice lens that will give you many years of joy.

May 14, 2017 at 03:14 PM

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