Has anyone with the first gen 70-200 shot with the VRII? I love my 70-200 and I can't believe the image quality on the VR2 will be much better? Did they only improve the focus response time?

D700 with 70-200
D4 pre-ordered (woot!)

Would they really update the 70-200 vr2 this soon?
It was "future" proofed with the D3x when it comes to resolving details, I've shot so much with it, frankly, I have yet to find something horribly wrong with the lens day or night...
here's one with the D700+70-200ii (lighly PS'ed)

That's without a TC, with one, even if it was a slightly less sharp, you'd be hard pressed to find issues...

JY said:
As much as I love mine, i can easily wish for a shorter focus distance and if nikon can somehow get around the issue with focus breathing (not sure if this is the right term, when the actual focal length becomes shorter as the lens focus at the minimum distance). Oh, while I am at it can I dream for a lighter weight too? :)

Yep, I'm not sure if any of them are possible, but any of those would be nice improvements. It's interesting that none of them relate to image quality, is there any improvement possible here?

Rx4Photo said:
I'm feeling the pull Golf, but think I'll force myself to wait a couple of months to see if Nikon announces more goodies. One thing I've realized about myself is that I'm not good at being satisfied with alternates to what I really want. We'll see.

I feel you mate. "The force" is with you young Jedi. :P

I'm feeling the pull Golf, but think I'll force myself to wait a couple of months to see if Nikon announces more goodies. One thing I've realized about myself is that I'm not good at being satisfied with alternates to what I really want. We'll see.

golf007sd said:
As the saying goes: "Just do it!" You will be a very, very happy camper buddy!

JY said:
As much as I love mine, i can easily wish for a shorter focus distance

I agree. In the mean time try the Canon CU77500D 77mm Type 500D close-up attachment

Rx4Photo said:
I've been vacillating over this lens for the last year. Wifey's been hinting about getting the 80-400mm for me but I told her not to. Want to wait to see if an update is coming. Plus, I think I'd prefer the 70-200mm f/2.8 with a TC instead of the 80-400mm.

As the saying goes: "Just do it!" You will be a very, very happy camper buddy!

sevencrossing said:
The 70 -200 works well with the Nikon TC20E III
it is very difficult to see how the 70 200 2.8 could be improved

As much as I love mine, i can easily wish for a shorter focus distance and if nikon can somehow get around the issue with focus breathing (not sure if this is the right term, when the actual focal length becomes shorter as the lens focus at the minimum distance). Oh, while I am at it can I dream for a lighter weight too? :)

Rx4Photo said:
Plus, I think I'd prefer the 70-200mm f/2.8 with a TC instead of the 80-400mm.

The 70 -200 works well with the Nikon TC20E III
it is very difficult to see how the 70 200 2.8 could be improved

I've been vacillating over this lens for the last year. Wifey's been hinting about getting the 80-400mm for me but I told her not to. Want to wait to see if an update is coming. Plus, I think I'd prefer the 70-200mm f/2.8 with a TC instead of the 80-400mm.

Yep, exactly the 2 lenses I use most (in that order) as well golf. Great stuff.

Rx4Photo said:
Anyone notice on the Amazon site that the listing for the Nikon 70-200mm VR2 lens, scroll down to Product Description, it says "Discontinued by Manufacturer: Yes"

Possibly a typo.
Is that lens due for an upgrade or change? I know a lot of people complained about the flaking inside of the body so just wondering.

Good eye Rx4Photo :) I totally agree with SkinBrit. I love my 70-200 2.8 VR II. I intend to hold on to it for a long, long time. It is my second most used lens. It's little brother, 24-70 2.8, being my first.

I haven't heard anything about a replacement Rob, as far as I'm concerned it's still the best lens of it's focal length so I'd be surprised if Nikon were spending any time trying to make it better.

Anyone notice on the Amazon site that the listing for the Nikon 70-200mm VR2 lens, scroll down to Product Description, it says "Discontinued by Manufacturer: Yes"

Possibly a typo.
Is that lens due for an upgrade or change? I know a lot of people complained about the flaking inside of the body so just wondering.

just use speed of 1/2000 and You will have no problems with getting sharp images

Cant be worst than sitting at the back of a bus... I got some good shots from out the window of the back of a moving bus once.. or twice.

Thanks PB PM.

I no longer have the manual but do understand the intent of the active mode. Unfortunately shooting from a small boat on the North Atlantic ocean is a different experience. The boat moves on every axis imaginable and continually. I'm not sure active will even work.

Active is designed to handle the situation you are facing. Just so you know, you could have easily found that out if you'd read the lens manual.

Off to shoot whales in the morning. I will be using my 70-200 VR. What VR mode should I use? The boat will be moving all over the place and so will the whales. Active or normal?

Jonny/Adamz/JMCS and All,

Many thanks for the constructive feedback. I guess this is very well known now as the "dream lens" once and for all :) Hope i would able to catch my hand on one of this soon. I'll look up for more samples and review bout this while i'll hook up on my 18-200 VRII for now.

Thanks again guys!

Nice comparison. Reaffirms what I have read about the differences between the two, but it is nice to see them side by side. Good find.

Here's a quick little "review" of the 70-200 lens from a Malaysian website.

http://star-techcentral.com/reviews/story.asp?file=/2009/11/17/prodit/20091117170541&sec=reviews&new=1&cat=5&rid=1311

They've got a picture of both old and new side by side so you can see the differences.

Naaaah, FX D90 that is not my dream, my dream which will be reality in 1 or 2 months is the D3S

bmxdad said:
Admin will put his foot, and lead the way, even Niko have to behave after that, and I will properly get detention from Niko

Pete

But that does not matter as long as the Nikon gods keeps giving us the latest and greatest

You're probably going to be the first NRF martyr, Pete. Way to stand up for your beliefs.

jonnyapple said:
That's a reasonable compromise on peace, but it's still doubtful. If the mods can't agree on rules...

Admin will put his foot, and lead the way, even Niko have to behave after that, and I will properly get detention from Niko

Pete

But that does not matter as long as the Nikon gods keeps giving us the latest and greatest