This fast f/2.8 high-performance zoom lens features Nikon’s VR image stabilization and is the ideal lens for low-light sports and portrait photography.
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Go to –> NIKKOR 70-200mm Detail
Lens nikkor Reviews
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Want a perfect lens? Here it is. (At least as far as telezooms go), March 7, 2006
By Roger J. Buffington (Huntington Beach, CA United States)
This lens has only two “faults.” First, it is big and heavy–quality construction often yields a heavy lens. Second, once the photographer has seen the results that this lens can produce, there is a likelihood that he or she will be unhappy with the other lenses in the camera bag.
Results first: the images are razor sharp with this zoom mounted on my Nikon D70s. I can get shots that I never could get before because this lens is so crisp that subjects taken at a distance nevertheless can be cropped to produce an acceptable close-up image. Subjects taken at more normal distances are breathtakingly sharp–as if shot with an excellent prime lens. This is a fast lens (F/2.8 throughout its entire zoom range). Almost more importantly, this lens has the best “Bokeh” that I have ever experienced in a lens. “Bokeh,” to the extent that I understand the concept (it is a Japanese word meaning roughly “unfocused”), is a word describing whether the out-of-focus portion of an image (i.e. a blurred background in a photo in which only the subject is in focus) has a pleasing look to it. This lens produces wonderful, creamy Bokeh. The sharpness and Bokeh, combined with the excellent bright color rendition of this lens, makes this one a true classic.
I have occasionally experienced minor ghosting on this lens when shooting into a very bright subject, i.e. the sun reflecting off of the ocean. This is a normal shortfall of a zoom lens comprised of a multitude of elements, and I have sometimes experienced this. But such occasions are rare.
The autofocusing action of this lens is very good. Even birds at very long distances usually produce a quick, snappy autofocus lock on my Nikon D70s. Very seldom does it “hunt” for an AF lock, and these occasions are likely due to operator error rather than the lens. This lens also features Vibration Reduction (VR) which enables it to produce acceptable images below what an F/2.8 lens would otherwise be suitable for. The VR really works, too, although it is by no means a panacea for dim lighting.
This is one of Nikon’s professional lenses, and the quality of construction is excellent. The critical mount is metal, and the entire lens is built like a tank. The lens comes with a nice squeeze-style lens cap, and a very good lens hood that can be easily reversed for storage.
The reader can see that I am extremely enamored with this lens. The reason is that, notwithstanding its bulk and weight, this lens produces the best nature shots that I have ever managed to take, by far.
Already a Legend!, May 31, 2005
By Robert Brody “Capt. RB” (Kew gardens, New York United States)
Yes, this lens is already legend, and no, it’s not just a bunch of people trying to justify spending a whole lot of cash on a lens. Make no mistake, this lens is BIG and expensive. It’s not fitting into your travel bag nor is it at home at a friend’s party. For that bring the 18-70mm, 28-200G or just bring a cheaper P&S type camera in case you spill beer on it!
The 70-200 VR is a pro level lens that gets almost everything right. It’s size is the byproduct of an optical design that really makes few, if any compromises. This lens is SHARP…as sharp as my 50mm prime and sharper wide open that you might believe or expect. On a D70 the focus is lightening fast and quite exact. Color rendition is the best I’ve seen. I do much less post processing when this baby is on the D70.
On the problematic side, this lens is BIG. It’s heavy and in the way, though reasonably easy to grasp. I added a Harbortronics portrait grip and the handling/balance is improved. It needs a big bag and focuses down to a bit under 5 feet. While it’s a fantastic portrait lens, you need room to get the most out of it. My first shots with this lens put my more experienced lenses to shame. The bokeh, or quality of out-of-focus areas were creamy and pleasing. Subjects had a 3D quality to them.
The VR system is exactly what you’d expect. I sat on my couch, framed the text on my DVD player about 8 feet away and shot at F/2.8 ISO 200 for a 1/2 second exposure. At 200mm (300mm on the D70) the image was sharp. Without VR I got a big blur.
The real question is: Do you need a 1700 dollar lens?
Answer: Only if you want it. The quality is all there at a level that has people talking about this lens like it’s magic. I have friends who shoot pro with Canon and Nikon. Even the Canon users say the 70-200VR is the best of it’s kind. Sell a kidney and buy one!
Excellent Bokeh, Very Accurate Color, Great Contrast, and Working VR, June 22, 2006
By Free Spirit “Free Spirit” (Washington DC)
I love this lens. This is an excellent complement to my Nikon 28-70 2.8. It is well balanced on D200 and F100 (with MB Grip). Just last weekend used in a Family Wedding. It is really not a lens for casual photography. If you are not willing to tolerate heavy equipment, sincerely, you will take much better pictures with PS digital cameras, as I sometimes do. After all taking pictures is about capturing moments and if this lens will get into your way, it has no use.
I personally only prefer fixed 2.8 apertures across the zoom range. This is very important for me since I like to use mostly Aperture Priority especially taking people’s pictures. That is why I love this lens. This is a very expensive lens. If VR is not important to you, go with more reasonably priced with almost identical optical qualities Nikon 80-200 2.8. To me VR is very important since I cannot afford to use Tripods when I am moving around and taking pictures of my kids or friends.
If you could afford it, it is a great lens that you will never regret. If you cannot afford it just you are thinking on purchasin expensive Camera Body, don’t waste your time on camera specs, D70 vs D200 vs D2Xs etc. Buy cheaper camera, but still buy this lens as long as you are willing to carry heavy equipment around and comitted to take pictures with such heavy equipment.
Bokeh is amazing, rich contrast, creamy blurring behind a subject with 2.8 is simply delicate and delicious.
Fantastic experience at the British Museum with the 70-200mm VR, August 16, 2006
By CRAIG LYKINS “Craig” (Alabama)
This lens has so many uses. Anytime I can position myself where my subject is more than five feet away, this is my lens of choice. I have the kit 18-70mm that came with the D70 and a 50mm prime (I have the 18-200 VR is on order, and if Nikon can ever get around to catching up with demand, that lens might surpass this one, due to the smaller weight - plus it is a lot cheaper).
I took every lens I own with the D70 to the British Museum in London. Shooting handheld in available light (I never used the flash) with many of the Egyptian and Greek artifacts over fifty feet away, I got outstanding results with this lens. The VR technology is amazing. Having a constant 2.8 aperture was also a major advantage. I’ll grant you my arm felt like a rubber hose after four hours of site seeing, but it was worth it! I have had similar satisfaction using the lens outdoors for wildlife photography. I have even used the TC-20EII teleconverter with the lens, to shoot hummingbirds at great distance. I would have no reservations about recommending the lens, until Nikon announced the 18-200 VR. This new lens has a much broader focal length on the low end, and focuses much closer (around a foot, compared to five feet for 70-200). The 18-200 does not provide a constant 2.8 aperture across it’s focal length, so the 70-200 would be better at long distances in low light. But at less than half the price, and I think less than half the size, this new lens clearly will have a premier spot in my bag. Will it totally replace the 70-200VR? I’ll update my review when I finally get to try the lens on the block. Until then, the 70-200mm VR is the champ!
Another fine lens from Nikon, August 6, 2008
By Kyle Lanclos (California)
Nikon, like Canon and other manufacturers, produces their fixed aperture zoom lenses to their highest standards of quality. This lens is no exception; most reviewers, and certainly most professional photographers, will agree.
Since you already know this is a good lens, before you buy, ask yourself how you’re hoping to use it. This is not a casual walk-about lens; it is heavy, and will make your arm(s) tired. If you’re not willing to lug it around, you’re not going to use it; any camera lens, no matter how good it is, does nothing for you while sitting unused on your shelf.
If you plan on using this lens exclusively at apertures smaller than f/4, you’re not making the best use of your money– you can spend half as much money, and buy a variable aperture lens that provides the same fundamental imaging capabilities. While this lens is probably sharpest at f/5.6, that’s not where it truly shines.
Shooting wide open at f/2.8, this lens performs beautifully. Portrait photography (especially candid photos, such as one might take as a guest at a wedding), medium-distance wildlife photography, outdoor sports photography– these are all fabulous uses for this lens. I am always pleased to put this lens on my camera and start taking pictures, because I naturally lean towards single-subject compositions, and this lens is perfect for making high-quality images while picking out a subject against an interesting background.
That’s not to say it can’t take fine images stopped down– of course it can. When taking landscape photos, I regularly make several images with this nikon camera lens in addition to what I capture with a wider angle lens.
Buy this lens because you plan to use its unique capabilities, not because you feel you deserve the best. If you won’t be pushing the boundaries of a 55-200mm, f/4-5.6 lens (which, for what it does, Nikon’s version is a fine lens), you certainly won’t be leveraging what the 70-200 f/2.8 has to offer, and would be better off with the smaller, lighter, and cheaper lens.
