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Ripolini
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Registered: Nov 5, 2005
Location: Italy
Posts: 298
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Review Date: Apr 21, 2013
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Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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see previous post
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Cons:
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see previous post
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UPDATE:
I've tested it against the 105 VR Micro-Nikkor.
The focusing distance was 2 m. As usual, the lens was on tripod (Gitzo with Foba ball head), I used live-view to focus accurately, and MLU.
At f/4 the 105 VR was slightly better (just); @ f/5.6 differences were very subtle. At f/8 I couldn't detect any meaningful difference. Both lenses showed even sharpness across the frame (on D700).
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 Apr 21, 2013
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Ripolini
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Registered: Nov 5, 2005
Location: Italy
Posts: 298
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Review Date: Apr 21, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Sufficiently lightweight, good image quality
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Cons:
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No tripod collar in the box, distortion, flare (well, I know it's a zoom with many elements and nano-coating can't do miracles).
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I have read many reviews of this lens before buying it. However as I tested it, I was a little bit disappointed by its quality. Probably I was expecting too much ... IQ was 'good' but it didn't shine on my D700 (my reference for IQ is my 100/2 Zeiss). Somebody wrote in a forum that it outperforms the AF ED 180/2.8D. I'm not sure it's true ... (I can't verify because I sold my 180 to fund this zoom).
I tested it against my AF ED 200/4 Micro though; focusing distance was 3 m (i.e. 15 times the FL) and the 200 Micro won hands down: lower distortion, lower vignetting and, most important, higher sharpness with 'cleaner' details.
I've not tested it vs my 105 VR Micro yet. As I'll do, I'll let you know.
I tried it with the TC-14 E II and IQ w/open was good; a usable combo when you need more reach, definitely. VR works fine; with the 1.4X I could take sharp pictures at 1/40 s. Very useful feature.
In conclusion, a good zoom but not at the same level as a prime (at the long end). A little bit overpriced if you consider IQ. AF-S and VR are useful features, and Nikon charges you for them.
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Apr 21, 2013
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fletcher8969
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Registered: Jan 7, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 13
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Review Date: Mar 15, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,300.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Great size, excellent IQ, VR is amazing. Stunning sharpness from f4. Reasonable price for level of quality.
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Cons:
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Nothing I've noticed yet.
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Shooting on a D800 this is as sharp (or a smig sharper) than my Nikon 24-70 f2.8 @ f4. The VR makes the difference here I believe. On a tripod I'd say they are pretty equal at equal focal lengths and apertures. This is as sharp as my copy of the 105 f2 DC at f4 and I like the color a little better on this one.
I love this lens!
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Mar 15, 2013
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c4change
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Registered: Jul 23, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 504
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Review Date: Mar 9, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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fast, quiet focusing, close focusing of 0.9m, IQ. LIGHT for travel/entended use
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Cons:
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tripod collar not included at the price
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This lens is excellent even wide open. Focusing is fast and quiet. IQ is a given. It is built very substantial without the weight of its 2.8 cousin. So, unless you need that extra stop...
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Mar 9, 2013
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R10
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Registered: Jan 4, 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 48
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Review Date: Jan 12, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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razor sharp throughout the frame, perfect size, very effective and silent VR, smooth zoom ring, min focus distance (and max. reprod. ratio)
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Cons:
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Bokeh in transition zone better than with the 2,8-VR II version, esp. around the short end (70mm), but still nervous and not quite as pleasing as with Canon's EF 4/70-200L IS; expensive tripod collar
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Intro: I've used quite a few "70-200" lenses in the past 25 years. On DSLRs I used, e.g., the Leica-R 4/80-200 (5DI&II), Zeiss Contax N Vario-Sonnar 3,5-4,5/70-210 (5DII), Canon EF 4/70-200L IS (5DII), Nikon 2,8/70-200 VR II (D800). end intro
I use this f4-Nikkor on the D800 and prefer it over all the others named above.
It's as sharp as the Leica throughout the frame, with similar micro contrast, but with AF/VR/auto aperture -> more keeper...
Towards the edge/corners it is even sharper than the 2,8 VR II Nikkor (at f4) and has a more pleasing bokeh in the transition zone (like the Leica), yet not as pleasing as the EF 4/70-200L IS, esp. near the short end. It is sharper than the EF though. It features much less focus breathing than the 2,8 VR II.
I prefer the f4 over the f2.8 for versatility (weight) reasons. I perfectly know the benefits of fast lenses but this range of focal length I also use a lot when hiking/travelling. So, for me, this lens was a long awaited and welcome Nikkor.
It pairs perfectly with the TC14E II converter.
Price tag is ok but the tripod collar is a bit overpriced but, well, way better than the cheaper alternatives I've tried...
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Jan 12, 2013
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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5
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6944
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Apr 21, 2013
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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80% of reviewers
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$1,300.00
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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9.25
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8.75
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9.5
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