Nikon 70-200 VR? flare bad?

Forbiddenbiker

Forbiddenbiker

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Adam
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Well, the time has come for me to spend more money than I ever thought I would on a lens.... I've recently pulled every recourse I had to pay off the mortgage after 24 years of hard slog...I actually came In ON budget. :eek: (quietly celebrating that fact, your welcome to join me :woot: ) ...which means I still have the savings (since joining this forum a year ago lol. ...I blame you guys for this expense BTW ;) ) ... to purchase a Nikon 70-200 AF-S VR IF lens, filters and stuff.

So now I'm scared ...Is this lens the right choice, its flipping expensive… and I can’t claim for it on my expenses. ;)

I've done loads of research, and learnt loads, seems cannon where not the first with image stabilising after all...seems Nikon had one In a wee point and shoot a decade ago...then before that Carl Zeiss and plenty of others especially in the film world.
Its a stunningly sharp lens across the board … no doubts about that on any reviews, some reviewers even go so far as to say its sharper than a few Nikon primes...well, that sounds good enough for me.. It’s also just fine with a 1.4 converter, the loss in stops making little difference compared to similar lenses.
I know nothing about colour rendition, so I'll assume Nikon know what there doing etc.:D
Its design is a joy to use apparently, no external movement, AF is fast everywhere, The VR works a treat and has different flaws and advances than the cannons, they all just come down to a 'using technique' , nothing more.

Sounds brilliant, and it is brilliant it seems...but it does have some flaws; some reviews have said its 1.5 meter minimum distance is slightly too long...Oh well, I'll have to change lenses, no problem.
But my main worry is the possible flare when shooting into the sun. Many of the reviewers test images have been truly appalling, with the subject being totally lost in a blur of white or a multitude of lens reflections across the frame.

I'm obviously taking my photography seriously to consider a lens like this...and like many others here, I've considered earning a living from photography, this lens is perhaps a step towards that end...as I’m assuming it will last years, and is certain clarity will not be a disadvantage in the future should I turn to making a living with it.

So…how bad is the flare problem in reality…just a small disadvantage compared to the whole package??…or should I be considering something else???

Just after your thoughts and user info really guys…perhaps with a hint of reassurance. I’m fairly fixed on buying this next week sometime… unless someone can talk me out of it…

Excuse the waffle peeps...just going through justifing the expence to myself I think. :lol:
 
Adam

I am not a Nikon user and do not know the lens in question so really just answering for moral support :). I feel that investing is pro lenses is just that; an investment. Not only will you get better quality but should you decide to move on the residual value is likely to be better even after it is superseded and will sell quickly as others are looking for them.

I now have four L lenses, I love every one and do not regret buying any of them.

Gary
 
Gary sums it up precisely, had the same hesitations when considering my Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS. Spending those sums is worrying, but atleast you appreciate the value and are paying for the quality, nothing wrong with being careful with your money.

Goodluck - hopefully a Nikon user will be along shortly ;)

:thumbs:
 
I went through EXACTLY the same heart wrenching.
Then I bought the 70-200L f2.8 IS (and a bit later the 1.4TC)

Photography has been reborn and gone to heaven.

If you can live without the cash (ie not eat cabbage and beans for a year) then dive in the deep end.

Only problem is now I want the 24-70L.. :(
 
I've had no problems with flare from mine, in fact it's bloody superb and worth every penny. You'd have to prize it out of my cold, dead hands

I dunno whereabouts you are in London but I'd be happy to meet up at some point in town - you can have a quick demo before you splash your hard earned?
 
I can't help with advice on current Nikon stuff, but it's all about glass in the final analysis. You'll probably see a huge increase in the quality of your shots, and the glass will keep it's value long after the latest body is worth about fourpence on fleabay. ;)
 
:D Thanks guys...I've just realised my mistake, lol, ask a bunch of photographers who love good glass weather I should buy good glass and oh, what a surprise, you all say, Yes, of course you should...idiot. :lol:

Reassurance overload, thanks very much guys. :thumbs:

evilowl said:
I've had no problems with flare from mine, in fact it's bloody superb and worth every penny. You'd have to prize it out of my cold, dead hands

I dunno whereabouts you are in London but I'd be happy to meet up at some point in town - you can have a quick demo before you splash your hard earned?
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:D

Well that sound good, no problems so far...I'll take that to mean also that flare is rarer than hype may have suggested, I kinda new that, but wanted to hear it from a regular user...thanks.

You work very near to the gherkin building don't you EO, if my memory serves me right, which it probably hasn't has it....thanks for the offer anyhow, it'll cost me £8 just to see you.lol.
I've tried this lens twice now, once on one of Arkadys bodies and once on a mates D70...to be honest, I'm not really able to know what’s good and what’s bad never having bought a lens in this class before....feels just fine weight/balance wise even on a D70, I like the position of the focus ring and I'm assuming, again, that the whole usability of the lens has been reasonably well designed...buttons etc.
Perhaps we could get together after purchase and you can show me some using techniques...or we could meet at a race day or something...I'm so looking forward to being able to catch some racing shots again...very excited about that actually, can't wait to get some Rossi overtaking action... Do you think the results will be better than my £69 Tamron ;) :lol:
 
:lol: ...and that alone is a tempting reason. :D

I hoping Rob does pass by, he'd certainly be in the know when it came to sunny conditions lol...I already know what he thinks of this lens though, fab, but then, he doesn't have to pay for it does he.

...I don't really mean that Rob...I'm just jealous of all that fee equipment. ;) too.
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
Well that sound good, no problems so far...I'll take that to mean also that flare is rarer than hype may have suggested, I kinda new that, but wanted to hear it from a regular user...thanks.
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If you're referring to the review on http://www.naturfotograf.com then I must admit I've never actually tried using mine in direct sunlight without the hood fitted... and I can't see myself ever wanting to in the future either :cuckoo: In normal use the only flare I have seen would be small spots due to reflections from car windscreens and such like but that's easily sorted with either post processing or a circ-pol.
Forbiddenbiker said:
Perhaps we could get together after purchase and you can show me some using techniques...or we could meet at a race day or something...I'm so looking forward to being able to catch some racing shots again...very excited about that actually, can't wait to get some Rossi overtaking action... Do you think the results will be better than my £69 Tamron ;) :lol:
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Yeah no problem at all, we'll have to organise a Brands Hatch meet or something next year
 
i have one of these lens and never had any plob wi it
i would say just buy it , i did and was not dissapointed it stays on the d2x 90% of the time
graham
 
I would say it's the best Nikkor lens I've ever used/owned and that's been since 1977....!

I've used it now for over two years so I have an earleir version... I've used it under all conditions and circumstances and it's NEVER disappointed.

Is there any flare? Not that's upset me. After all said and done, if this is the best medium tele zoom lens Nikon have produced what is there to better it?

It's a lot of money.... but this lens has bagged shots I would've previously given up on, possibly not even attempted.
 
Thanks Barry, can't get much more a positive review than that...I'm Sold. :D

I've had a PM from Arkady as well, he says defiantly buy...but then dares me to use it in the rain. :lol: ....A light showers are very likely...but I may run and hide it if pours down....to scary to contemplate otherwise.

I'm getting excited now :woot: :woot: My savings become available next Tuesday....so I should have it by that evening. :lol:


Graham; Thanks for your thoughts fella, and welcome to TP.:thumbs:
 
evilowl said:
You must be close to me then, I live in Mottingham so Brands is around 10 minutes back up the A20
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I'm in East Ham, so not quite as close as you, but not so far by fast a road...about half an hour by bike, or twice that in a car, but for me...that’s close. Especially considering it can take longer than that to get to West London.

I think a TP Brands meet is a great idea, we'd have to keep the costs down, and I think the large price of the main meets will be out of most people’s pockets. (Me included after buying this lens) ...

..I have little idea of the events going on at brands nowadays, haven’t been for a few years...:thinking: ... early next year sounds good too.
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
I've had a PM from Arkady as well, he says defiantly buy...but then dares me to use it in the rain. :lol: ....A light showers are very likely...but I may run and hide it if pours down....to scary to contemplate otherwise.
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Did you see this thread then FB ... :thinking: ... might help ease your worries a bit ... :D

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pi...d=4&ProdLine=4

Forbiddenbiker said:
I'm getting excited now :woot: :woot: My savings become available next Tuesday....so I should have it by that evening.
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I have to say I am very envious Adam ... I have been following this thread ... as I cannot make up my mind what other lens I need & must have ... :D ... and aside from spending absolute silly money on a long prime to compete with CT (... ;) ) ... this one may just be next on the must have list ... :naughty:

I am sure you will kup on progress towards your much needed addition FB ... lol

Chuckles said:
I would say it's the best Nikkor lens I've ever used/owned and that's been since 1977....!
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Have you used it with a TC Chuckles ... I wondered if this approach may close the gap a tad on the long reach stuff ... :shrug:






:p
 
chuckles says its a first class combination....every bit as good as the 80 -400 by itself, he'll try and sort out a sample....I am typing this for him because its his birthday and I don't want him doing too much :naughty:
 
Venomator said:
Did you see this thread then FB ... :thinking: ... might help ease your worries a bit ... :D

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pi...d=4&ProdLine=4
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That link won't work for me Ven...Internal or something..?? Can you find another one..?

Thanks m8 :thumbs:


... Kup Ven ? :thinking: ....I'll try...just for you.

Aprox time until purchase. ...5 days 18 hours.... and counting. :woot: ;)

... I can see you buying one of these to Ven...just a feeling I get from your post...you could probably borrow mine for a day or two, if you like...well, after a few months of use perhaps... I'll feel quite caring about it initailly, you know. lol.
 
Venomator said:
Have you used it with a TC Chuckles ... I wondered if this approach may close the gap a tad on the long reach stuff ... :shrug:
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I use my TC14E-II with it all the time, can't fault it and no loss of quality at all, or slow down in focusing speed. Obviously it becomes a 98-280mm f/4 when used with that.

I don't have a TC17E-II or TC20E-II to test with it, sorry.
 
I've sold all my 'old' Nikkor lenses now, so when I do eventually buy new kit when I leave the Army, it'll be the new stuff I currently get given to me.
The 70-200VR is a great lens - lighter than the old one and just as well sealed, not only in dry, dusty conditions, but in rain as well (remember Trafalgar Square?).
Buy it - and apply immediately for the Nikon Pro-User scheme membership - gets you priority servicing at Nikon UK and a quarterly Magazine/newsletter.
 
Sounds good Rob.... I do remember Trafalgar well, particularly an image of you standing in a down pour, camera glued to your face and the 200 sticking out taking an absolute lashing in wind and rain.... I like to think, I followed your lead....although I didn't need much persuading having drenched a few Nikons in the passed and never having any problems.

Nice tip as well, thanks.... a pro user eh... ...I didn't realise I could buy my way in ... excellent. : ;) lol:
 
Any item of 'Pro' kit entitles the owner to sign up.
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
I think a TP Brands meet is a great idea, we'd have to keep the costs down, and I think the large price of the main meets will be out of most people’s pockets. (Me included after buying this lens) ...

..I have little idea of the events going on at brands nowadays, haven’t been for a few years...:thinking: ... early next year sounds good too.
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Excellent idea, the British Superbikes will be there 7/8/9 April next year and Brands is very good for getting close to the action. Me and the missus will no doubt be down for that and 'nuffink' usually meets up with us there too.
 
Arkady said:
Any item of 'Pro' kit entitles the owner to sign up.
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Thanks for that 'minder Rob ... just wondering why I don't got this status ... as D200 apparently qualifies ... :thinking:

Just fired q off to Nikon.uk ... :suspect:







:p
 
They probably want you to use the website Rog, register yourself, so they get traffic, interest etc... and get pros emails registerd ... :shrug:

kinda thing.


neonpollen said:
Excellent idea, the British Superbikes will be there 7/8/9 April next year and Brands is very good for getting close to the action. Me and the missus will no doubt be down for that and 'nuffink' usually meets up with us there too.
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Sounds perfect Andy, second weekend in April. :thumbs: ...Oooh I can't wait to catch some bike action again....the Old Tamron could produce a reasonable image every now and then, with care anyhow...but it just couldn't cope on fast moving stuff, not enough shutter speed or focus speed, even if it was a bright day... I'd be lucky to get one really sharp image out of a hundred even if my panning was good throughout.

Still going to take the Tamron though, because as GaryB said, when he caught Rossi at Donnington...you can stick a narrow lens through the wire fences….good idea me thinks.


Great to see you back on your feet Andy..... :)
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
They probably want you to use the website Rog, register yourself, so they get traffic, interest etc... and get pros emails registerd ...
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Been registered since afore I goddit Adam ... probably part of the reason I expect ... registered with my D70s at the time and never gave it a thought when I upgraded ... :shrug:

How many ... days/hours/minutes/seconds ... now then ... :D








:p
 
Know that feeling ... just ordered a D200 Grip and SB800 ... why ain't it here yet ... :D











:p
 
Nah mate, family stuff for me as usual over those few days....if I lived a bit closer It may have been possible to slip out, but not from here...shame, would have been a fun day, what with the silly Plum pudding race on the cards. :thumbs:

---

I have this lens now, can't really offer a conclusion of any kind, because I feel too inexperienced as this is the first class glass I've purchased and I have no comparisons to put it up against.

It was dark by the time I got back yesterday, but I managed to grab a few shots out of the van window on the way home and a couple in the park after dark.

I've had a look at my snaps last night and .... HOLY COW, its a bit good init, (Not the snaps) better than my wildest imaginings...I knew 2.8 was fast...but I can honestly say I had no real idea how much difference those smaller numbers where actually going to make, wow.

First thing I noticed about all but one of the images...there blinkin sharp, second thing, loads of clarity...third thing, I can go so slow with the shutter...so very very slow.

130mm Shutter prio 10th sec at 2.8 (Maxed out, wanted to go much lower) ISO200...Hand held...just snapping like I would in daylight. The AF had no problem in this light either.

Exposure raised by 1.3 stops in RawShooter, w/b, curves, and a hint of USM (normal amount.) Spot meter on head/chest.
danlou.jpg
 
Not bad at all :thumbs:


(Wish I had spot-metering :))
 
So ... given that one has now taken possession of one's brand new much awaited toy, might one assume, old bean ... :geek:

You might just be a teensy weensy bit chuffed with it then Adam ... :D

Envious, I am ... :naughty:

Can't wait to see more ... and get your real appraisal in a day or two ... :eek:










:p
 
Venomator said:
So

Can't wait to see more ... and get your real appraisal in a day or two ... :eek:

Click to expand...

:thumbs:
:thinking:
:p

... Probably though yes. :lol:



I can't quite believe I've now got this lens now... I feel slightly out of my depth...
...its a bit like the feeling I get when riding my Laverda Formula race bike, the bike is way more capable than me, and every time I ride it it teaches me how to ride it well...how much further I can go, and how happy it is performing fully at the edge of its awesome limits.

Yep, that’s how it feels. :woot: :D
 
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