Nikon D600 & Nikon 70-200 F2.8 VR 2

n0chex

n0chex

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Hi all, just got my very first Nikon ( D600 ) after always owning Canon's. I am after some advice on lens choice and was looking at the 70-200 F2.8 Version 2 as my first lens.

Would this be too big and heavy for everday use or should i look for a little smaller and cheaper like the 28-300VR and spend the difference on a nice wide angle lens for my tripod landscape shots like the 14-24?

I have owned a lot of canon cameras and lenses in the past so know little in regards to what's best in Nikon and any advise would be appreciated.
 
The 70-200 is a great lens, no doubt about it, but it's not exactly light. It's part of Nikons pro range and is a real workhorse so is built to last. Optically it will be one of the best lenses available for your camera and i doubt the 28-300 will match it. The 28-300 is a very versatile lens and is perfect as an everyday one solution lens although do also consider the 24-120mm f4 VR. It's a good range and not too heavy.

The 14-24mm f2.8 is another heavy lump. One of Nikons very best in fact. But the bulbous front end doesn't lens itself well to landscapes for people who like to use filters. There are kits available from the likes of LEE etc but they're pricey and the filters are like computer monitors. You could also look at the 16-35mm f4 or the 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 too.
 
I've had the 70-200 VRll and it is a superb lens that I have missed since selling, however I recently picked up an older (and much, much cheaper) 80-200 push/pull and I don't miss the 70-200 any more. It's on the heavy side but well worth having. :)
 
My walk about lens is the Nikon 24-70 f2.8 lens. Took it on holiday doing several countries on a cruise and found I didn't need any other. it is a good all round lens the 70-200mm lens I found was an awkard range to work with I was either too close or to far away to get the best out of it and I own both. Also have the new 80-400mm version but rarely use it

Of course it depends on the type of photos you want to take,I can only say what I found was the one I preferred to use

.

Nikon D800 lens Nikon 24-70mm f2.8

So as you can see it does well for landscape shots as well (unedit and exif left in to check settings)


see below

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/nikon-af-s-nikkor-24-70mm-f-2-8e-ed-vr-review-28783
 
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What do you photograph? Do you need f2.8 or would f4/f5.6 be ok?

Having owned the 70-200 f4, f2.8 vr1 and f2.8 vr1 (twice) I can say that all are very good. If I was only going to do landscapes or walkabout then the 70-200 f4 would be my choice. It's lighter, sharper, doesn't focus breathe and AF is slower but very useable. The 70-200 vr1 is good, it's gets a little soft in the corners but it's excellent value if you can find a good second hand copy. The 70-200 f2.8 vr2 is good, sharp across the frame (not as sharp as the f4) but it does focus breathe at close focus. It takes a 1.4 teleconverter well to give a useable 280mm f4.

The f2.8 vr2 is the only one I've repurchased as I missed the focal length and f2.8 aperture. Only only sold it previously to fund a longer lens but within a few months I bought the f4 as a replacement. I would have kept the f4 if it wasn't for the times I needed f2.8 in poor light or using a teleconverter (f5.6 was a little limiting). The only problem with the f2.8s is the weight, it weighs 1.5kg so it's nearly twice as heavy as the f4 version.

If landscapes was my only interest then a 3 lens setup of the 70-200 f4, 24-120 f4 and 16-35 f4 would be my choice. They are the 'landscapes holy grail' setup, much lighter than the f2.8 equivalents and just as good.
 
As you can see Rob has different ideas to mine. What suits him does not necessarily suit me but that is down to how we both feel we can get the best out of what we own. So if possible try either and see what you prefer
 
realspeed said:
As you can see Rob has different ideas to mine. What suits him does not necessarily suit me but that is down to how we both feel we can get the best out of what we own. So if possible try either and see what you prefer
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That is a very good point, what suits one person may not suit another. It is also very dependant the the type of photography and the location. I often use the 70-200 for landscapes in the Lake District but hardly ever for coastal as like you say it can be an awkward focal length. My main interest is wildlife which a 70-200 is useful for, landscapes is a secondary interest and it's useful not needing to purchase another lens. I hardly ever do walkabouts as if I'm out for photography I will have an idea or location I specifically want to try for.
 
The 70-200 f2.8 VRII is great but it is heavy. Depends what you're shooting most really but I like it for landscapes in hills and woodland but wonder if I should have bought the f4 version for that. It's a superb lens for event photography and I suspect this is what it was made for really.

The 28-300 VR is surprisingly good and light, the only real problem is a fair bit of distortion at the wide end but as a travel all rounder it's excellent, although for dedicated landscape photography it's not quite as sharp as more professional lenses as you'd expect.

For landscapes I use a Nikon 16-35 f4 VR, a Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC and a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VRII. I've recently bought the 2x teleconverter too. The 14-24mm is just too niche for me, you might consider the 16-35 as this is cheaper and easily takes filters. I think the 24-70mm range is much more usable though and the Tamrons are ultra sharp and detailed, much cheaper than the new 24-70 f2.8 VR too.

Hope that helps a little
 
Thanks for all the replies and I've just paid for the 70-200 F2.8 which should be with me Tuesday via Royal Mail and looking forward to it.
I will hold off getting any further lenses until i am satisfied with the Nikon system coming from canon.

Hopefully i will get to test both the D600 & lens at the next sidecar meeting at Aintree.

PS:I'm not a pro photographer just a hobby.but hoping to get some good results weather depending.
 
The 70-200 arrived this morning ( What a piece of engineering ) heavy also as you all stated so decided to crack out another Weetabix to my breakfast bowl. First impressions....Wow Nice and mounted it to the D600 (I think I need a Grip to balance it ) but scared to add more weight :). I will hopefully try it out at the weekend weather permitting but I also need to learn how to use the 600D more so.
 
n0chex said:
The 70-200 arrived this morning ( What a piece of engineering ) heavy also as you all stated so decided to crack out another Weetabix to my breakfast bowl. First impressions....Wow Nice and mounted it to the D600 (I think I need a Grip to balance it ) but scared to add more weight :). I will hopefully try it out at the weekend weather permitting but I also need to learn how to use the 600D more so.
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Canon speak lol.you have the D600 :nikon:
 
I blame the time posted :) ....oh and the stellar :)
 
Well i managed a few hours this morning at Oulton Park and being the first time i used the Nikon system it took a while to figure out where all the buttons was but i think i eventually got the hang of it.








 
minnnt said:
Now you just need to drop the shutter speed so they're not all static.

How did you find the Nikon?
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Hang on let me turn it on first ....lol

I did actually try some panning shots at around 1/50th but they never turned out that well as I need a lot more practice.

I think the Nikon lens got the focus bang on near every time and tracked well.

 
Most my Panning Shots was not quite on focus and I feel I could do better with a mono pod next time.
 
minnnt said:
You'll have a D750 before you know it ;)
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What and downgrade :) According to DXO Mark :)

I would think the D750 would be better at Sports with its newer sensor and more focus points.
 
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Not a clue mate i am only reading on DXO camera ratings where the D600 comes in @8th where the D750 is rated at 10th

What i do know is it's Cheaper:) Wink Wink.
 
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