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What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

jonshonda
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p.1 #1 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

I'm in the market for a 70-200 do all lens, from indoor sports to outdoor soccer to walking around general enjoyment. I'm an amateur at best, and will be pairing the lens with a D3S/D700 and maybe from time to time TC 1.4/1.7II.

I've found that the 70-200 range really does seem to be most appealing to me and I do plan on likely using it very frequently.

Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR1
Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR2
Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL ED
Nikon 70-200 4

Tamron 70-200 2.8 G2

Edited on Oct 13, 2026 at 09:20 AM · View previous versions

Oct 13, 2026 at 06:50 AM

story_teller
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p.1 #2 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

When I had a DSLR, I used the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL ED as a preferred lens for portraits, dance, sports, candids, etc. It's relatively sharp, fast and will feel balanced with the D3S or D700. The VR helps with handheld shots and the lens coatings are a plus.

Oct 13, 2026 at 07:18 AM

Ripolini
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p.1 #3 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

I do not shoot sports. For walking around general enjoyment (e.g., travels) I use the 70-200/4G VR; it's a very good lens and - most important - lightweight compared to f/2.8 versions.
If I were serious about sports photography, I'd get the 70-200/2.8 FL—it's the best one available for DSLRs.

Oct 13, 2026 at 07:27 AM

jboyle9808
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p.1 #4 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

I still use the 70-200 2.8 FL on my Z8. It's a great lens and works quite well in my experience for what you are describing. I bought mine used for $1200 5+ years ago and couldn't be more happy with the purchase. I'd buy it again today without hesitation if I was using mostly DSLRs.

Oct 13, 2026 at 07:31 AM

OffTrail
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p.1 #5 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

VR1 was designed in a DX era, and corners of the FX frame are supposed to be a little weaker than the later ones.
VRII was an optical upgrade by most reports, but had awful focus breathing up close. It can just manage headshot distances, but wasn't great for table-top/product photos.
f/4G gave the same great rendering and IQ of the VRII, but it was smaller, lighter, and had a significantly better reproduction ratio.
FL E was sharper, better up close, a lot of people were happy to keep these even when the Z's first 70-200 came out. Double-check compatibility with the D3s/D700, though.

I had the f/4 then the VRII. The f/4 was super practical but I wanted the additional stop of speed. I got the VRII, and that stayed my main 70-200 up until this spring, being used on everything from F5 to D5 to Z8. Aside from it just not being able to focus up close, I have had no complaints with the VRII over the years.

Oct 13, 2026 at 07:46 AM

mawz
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p.1 #6 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

Personal opinion:

VR1 - Suited for DX users and those who need close focus performance more than corner performance. AF motor likely cannot be serviced anymore. Deals to be had.
VR2 - Better landscape FX lens than the VR1, but bad focus breathing. I'd skip this unless the deal is killer, you shoot only FX and you rarely shoot close up. Not a bad lens, but the other options are usually better choices.
FL E - Better at everything than the other two, often enough cheaper than the similar performing Z to make it a great deal. Be wary on old FX bodies as it's an E lens.
f4 - Compact option, If you need f4 at 200mm, or your body doesn't like AF-P lenses, buy this. Otherwise the 70-300E is a tad better optically and basically has the 1.4TC built in for a similar size budget. 70-300E has the same E issues as the FL E, plus it's AF-P which is more limiting (it's the only AF-P FX lens)

Oct 13, 2026 at 08:22 AM

jonshonda
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p.1 #7 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

edited for false info.

Edited on Oct 13, 2026 at 09:19 AM · View previous versions

Oct 13, 2026 at 08:48 AM

jpelt78
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p.1 #8 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

This statement is incorrect. The electronic aperture support was added at the same time as the D3 in 2007. The D3S and D700 cameras support all E aperture lenses. They only needed a firmware update for the 800mm f5.6 E FL lens.

jonshonda wrote:
Just confirmed FL ED won't work with older cameras like the D3S/D700. darn

Oct 13, 2026 at 09:12 AM

jpelt78
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p.1 #9 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

70-200 f2.8E Fl compatibility list from NikonUSA website:

The lens incorporates an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism. The following cameras are compatible with this lens:
D5, D4 series, D3 series, Df, D850, D810, D810A, D800 series, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300 series, D7500, D7200, D7100, D7000, D5600, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3400, D3300, D3200, D3100, Nikon 1 J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 with FT-1, Nikon 1 V1, V2, V3 with FT-1, Nikon 1 S1, S2 with FT-1

jpelt78 wrote:
This statement is incorrect. The electronic aperture support was added at the same time as the D3 in 2007. The D3S and D700 cameras support all E aperture lenses. They only needed a firmware update for the 800mm f5.6 E FL lens.

Oct 13, 2026 at 09:15 AM

jonshonda
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p.1 #10 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

jpelt78 wrote:
This statement is incorrect. The electronic aperture support was added at the same time as the D3 in 2007. The D3S and D700 cameras support all E aperture lenses. They only needed a firmware update for the 800mm f5.6 E FL lens.

I got bad info and ran with it. You are correct
---------------------------------------------

jpelt78 wrote:
70-200 f2.8E Fl compatibility list from NikonUSA website:

The lens incorporates an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism. The following cameras are compatible with this lens:
D5, D4 series, D3 series, Df, D850, D810, D810A, D800 series, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300 series, D7500, D7200, D7100, D7000, D5600, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3400, D3300, D3200, D3100, Nikon 1 J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 with FT-1, Nikon 1 V1, V2, V3 with FT-1, Nikon 1 S1, S2 with FT-1

As noted above, I should've done more research.

Oct 13, 2026 at 09:20 AM

danielfen68
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p.1 #11 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

For a D700 and D3S the one I would rule out is the FL E. Those bodies predate electromagnetic diaphragm support, so an E lens will not stop down on them. The aperture ends up stuck wide open, which is fine only if you also carry a newer body.

That leaves the VR II and the f/4. The f/4 is what I would take for walking around, because the weight difference is very noticeable at the end of a long day and it handles the 1.4 converter fine in decent light. If you shoot indoor sports more than travel, the VR II buys you the extra stop and works normally on both bodies.

The complaint I keep seeing about the VR II is focus breathing. It is a genuine limitation close up, but at soccer and general distances it never comes up.

Oct 13, 2026 at 09:22 AM

rico
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p.1 #12 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

I also enjoy this FL range, and originally bought the 70-200/4G. Later, I really needed more light-gathering for event work, and added the E. There is no difference in image quality except the E is a bit sharper at 200mm. In general, I carry the G for reasons of weight. The E in action:

As noted, the E diaphragm is only supported by newer bodies, e.g. D3X

Oct 13, 2026 at 02:39 PM

Ripolini
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p.1 #13 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

"E means that the lens uses an electronic activation of the the aperture (as opposed to mechanical). You need a D3100 or later, D5000 or later, D7000 or later, Df, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D300s, D500, D600, D610, D700, D750, D800, or D810 body to get full compatibility with an E lens."

https://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/nikon-lens-reviews/nikkor-zoom-lens-reviews/nikon-70-200mm-f28e-fl-ed.html

Oct 13, 2026 at 03:05 PM

ahinesdesign
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p.1 #14 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

I really liked the Tamron 70-200 G2. Performance wise, it falls between the VRII and FL E. It’s plenty sharp, but there’s some focus breathing, just not as much as the VRII. I like the Tamron’s rendering over the FL E and maybe even the Z 70-200. The Tamron is an E-type lens, so aperture control will not function on older bodies as discussed. I can say that AF does work on bodies back to the D100, however aperture will be set to whatever was last used (you can use a newer body to adjust the aperture if you want to use it on an old body for some reason).

Nikon’s f/4 version is quite nice, too, especially if size and weight are valued. I think it’s out of focus rendering is busier at some distances, but it is otherwise well behaved.

Oct 13, 2026 at 03:09 PM

ahinesdesign
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p.1 #15 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

Nikon’s chart says the entire D3 series is compatible with E-type lenses:

https://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/Images/Learn-Explore/Photography-Techniques/2011/Which-Nikkor-is-Right-for-You/Media/NIKKOR-lens-compatibility-chart.pdf

Either way, I would want to test both body and lens for compatibility before buying one or both. I have been disappointed on more than one occasion due to body/lens compatibility issues…

Ripolini wrote:
"E means that the lens uses an electronic activation of the the aperture (as opposed to mechanical). You need a D3100 or later, D5000 or later, D7000 or later, Df, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D300s, D500, D600, D610, D700, D750, D800, or D810 body to get full compatibility with an E lens."

https://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/nikon-lens-reviews/nikkor-zoom-lens-reviews/nikon-70-200mm-f28e-fl-ed.html

Oct 13, 2026 at 03:15 PM

Lance B
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p.1 #16 · What's The Consensus On F-Mount 70-200's?

Get the 70-200 f2.8E FL VR, it is a superb lens. It works brilliantly with the 1.4x TCII and is very good with the 1.7x TCII. However, with the 1.7x TCII it is best to stop down a stop to get the best sharpness. The 1.4x TCIII can be used wide open.

Oct 13, 2026 at 04:53 PM


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