Nikon 70-200 F2.8 VRII-First impressions

Still early days but i have given my first impressions and a few samples taken with Nikon latest on my blog- http://wildlifeacrossthewater.blogspot.com

Dave

I made your RL so that it is linked (you didn't have a space between the blog- and the URL )
My lens arrives today. The thing I want to know more than anything is about corner sharpness on a full frame body. The old version was horrid in this regard.

On a related subject i mailed 4th generation yesterday about a foot for the lens and they cant yet confirm if the MK1 foot will fit the MK2

Dave

I'll let you know later today if it fits

My lens order is scheduled to arrive 12/3/09. I am wondering if the P-20 Wimberly lens plate will work.

I have a P-20 attached until i get a replacement foot which i prefer as they are a neater and lighter system

Dave

Where does one get a replacement foot? In what respect is a replacement foot neater?

Lens feet are available at the Naturescapes store, There are generally lighter than the existing foot and have the dovetail already cut into them so you do not need a plate hence saving weight and looking neater, i use the 4th generation feet on my 200-400 and 600vr

Dave

4th Generation foot fits perfectly. P20 plate should also work.

Quick and dirty tests to see if the issues with the original lens have been addressed in the "2" lens and I am very happy to say they have.

Corner sharpness on an FX body is exceptional at f/4 and beyond and only softens slightly at f/2.8. The difference is quite dramatic actually. the original was quite bad in the corners on an FX body. Light falloff in the corners is still significant at f/2.8 but better at f/4 and almost not noticeable at f/5.6 and beyond. Again an improvement.

These are just some real quick test but I am very happy with the results as I won't hesitate to use this lens on an FX body where in my opinion, the old 70-200 was simply not worthy of use on an FX body but great on a DX body.

Additionally, the issue that the old lens had where if you left VR on and mounted it on a tripod you could see the image continuously vibrating in the viewfinder is completely gone.

Is the 4th generation foot for the 70-200mm lens designated NP-42?

NO that's for the 200-400. The one you want is NP-40A

Hmmm... NP-40A is not offered in the NSN store. Seems like a loss for the store...

Anthony Medici wrote:Hmmm... NP-40A is not offered in the NSN store. Seems like a loss for the store...

I let Greg know.

After a few more tests, I am thoroughly impressed with this new 70-200. It is so much sharper on the edges and in the corners and the VR actually works the way it should Overall probably one of the most dramatic transformations in image quality from a version 1 to a version 2 lens I've run across. I am definitely not regretting the upgrade which I have at times in the past.

Stop!!! I am away and mine is sitting waiting for me back in NY.

Soory The lens sucks - have it sent back right away

What should I do with the paperweight (70-200mm version 1) I purchased from EJ
Seriously, EJ told me of the shortcomings of this lens prior to my purchase, I only use the D2X and D300s camera bodies so the far edge sharpness does not apply to my uses. I seldom use it on a tripod.

On a DX crop camera that lens is awesome!!! It was designed for those cameras and really excels so no issue.

There is a lot of talk on other forums about the difference in magnification between the MK1 and MK2-EJ have you noticed this when testing the two, I think the difference is meant to be when shooting close as opposed to infinity

Dave