Does any of you can help me on a tough decision? Buy a 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR now or wait a bit more, considering possible (near) future upgrade and yen/US$ ratio ? Actually my main concern is price increase.
70 - 200 mm f/2.8 - buy it now or wait ?
(30 posts) (13 voices)-
If you're worried about the right time to buy, just get it now if you have the money. If you wait for the right time, you may never get it because there is never going to be a perfect time. As soon as you get it, either a) you'd have wished you waited another 3 days because the price dropped again or b) be glad you got it when you did because the price just increases right after you got it.
Granted, I bought mine off of ebay.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Armello, I was having the same problem some time ago, and I decided to buy it, and You know what - after some time, I'm sure it was a good decision. So if You can afford it, go for it. I'm using it with the TC-17E on DX and love the quality and sharpness (sample photo - late afternoon, handheld).
Posted 4 years ago # -
Or your waiting might just be in time for the upgraded version of the 70-200 f/2.8 VR. :-)
Posted 4 years ago # -
Just get it now. If we knew when the economy as going to change and the prices were going to go up and down, we'd be playing the stock market and making millions. In the absence of specific information to the contrary (an announced price increase, impending release of new models, etc.) , "Now" is always the best time to get new equipment. Sometimes it will be the right decision, sometimes the wrong decision, but it all averages out in the end. :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
"Just get it now. If we knew when the economy as going to change and the prices were going to go up and down, we'd be playing the stock market and making millions. In the absence of specific information to the contrary (an announced price increase, impending release of new models, etc.) , "Now" is always the best time to get new equipment. Sometimes it will be the right decision, sometimes the wrong decision, but it all averages out in the end. :)"
That's basically what I was trying to say :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
Once again, I don't know what some people wants from the Nikon 70-200/2.8vr, it's a great lens. Vignetting (if) visible can be eliminated by stopping down this lens by 1 (or by using the build in vignetting reduction on D3), corner softness (guys, do You shoot Your pictures with the main subject in the corners? or maybe some of You just read tests and haven't used this lens). I doubt that Nikon will replace this lens soon, as it's sells quite well. OTOH, even when You buy it right now, and Nikon will release a new 70-200 soon, than You can sell this for around 80% of the paid price.
Posted 4 years ago # -
If I had the money, I'd get it. I'd probably use it on a DX body anyway (where it really looks nice).
As far as timing goes, I'm going to differ from the rest of the crowd and say definitely wait. I expect that as the dollar continues to strengthen against the yen, you will see last year's rebates come back, probably in mid-Q2
Posted 4 years ago # -
Once more, thanks a lot for all your opnion, but I have got a question to Willis: as a Chemist, I have no idea about the future of dollar/yen ratio. Due to the world financial crisis (which I have heard might demolish Japan), won't you expect Nikon increase gear prices to compensate ?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Difficult to say. There are no American Camera companies that are competitive in the DSLR game. Pretty much all of them are out of Japan so their is no healthier competition able to force Nikon's hand in a price war.That said, Nikon's camera division runs at a profit, Where they are getting killed is in their semi-conductor fabrication (they make the lenses that make the chips). Nikon will want to do everything they can to preserve the profitable camera unit.
As the dollar strengthens against the yen, the $'s you spent on your 70-200 becomes worth more yen. In October, the 70-200 was selling for $1600, and you could get 107 yen per dollar meaning Nikon books 171,000 yen as revenue. In Then the dollar tanked down to 89 yen/dollar so they were only able to book 142,000 yen on the same sale. So they had to jack the price up to $1900 (169,100) to compensate for the lost revenue. Now that the $ has rallied, that same $1900 is worth 187,625 yen (98.75 yen/dollar according to Google). That's alot of extra money in Nikon's pocket.
With all this volatility, you might be wondering how Nikon can manage its business with 10% currency fluctuations happening every quarter. The short answer is that they can't. To manage the risk they lock in an exchange rate using options. These options will guarenty them a fixed exchange rate for fixed amount of time (usually a quarter). When those rates expire, they have to go lock in a new rate which is why you saw the dollar tank in December, but the prices didn't go up until late Jan. Fast forward to April, and its about time for Nikon to go lock in a rate again. This time with the dollar in better shape then it was in January. Nikon will probably pass (at least part) of the savings on to their distribution network in the form of rebates (which are easier to adjust in these crazy times). The network in turn will pass some of the savings on to you so that you will buy their stuff.
Posted 4 years ago # -
BTW: If they do issue a rebate, I expect it will take the price down to about $1700 which would be the normalized 2007 price. If their is a lot of inventory built up in the channel, it might be even more.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Photozone.de classified this lens as higly recommended: http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/247-nikkor-af-s-70-200mm-f28-g-if-ed-vr-review--test-report
As for waiting for a better price ... if you have the means and the need, then just buy it. If the price does go down after you got the lens then consider it a royalty for the privilege of getting to use the lens compared to sitting around and waiting for the price to drop.
Posted 4 years ago # -
The 70-200 2.8 VR is a premium lens with a premium price point. Unlike some other Nikkor, items this one is certainly not over priced given it's build and performance.. Although technology has advanced rapidly in the areas of camera and sensor design, the fundamental principles and engineering of great optics remains essentially unchanged.
Nikon, like Canon and others, are locked in a mega pixel and bells and whistles war with each other. It's unlikely that they will invest significant resources to make a marginal improvement in a lens of this calliper. If Nikon does invest in new glass it will likely be to improve a number of their DX offerings.The bottom line is that This lens is spectacular now just as it will be for rest of its functional life. Make the investment.
Posted 4 years ago # -
So have you bought it yet? What are you waiting for? I was going to way a few months ago and figured that I'd be better off having it than not. It's a great lens. If a newer version comes out, just sell the current model, buy the newer one but in the meantime buy the lens, use it and enjoy it!
Posted 4 years ago # -
70-200 VR f/2.8 has poor vignetting (four dark corners) problems on FX bodies especially at wide open f2.8, and this is known fact within professional community. if you use DX bodies, then there is no such problems.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Actually I am just waiting for Nikon anouncements people say will be done next week. Maybe there is an worhtwhile FX body inclued in the package (assuming there will be an announcement and there will be more than one new gear), cheaper than D700 and I must say, looking close where world financial crisis is heading to. If you check my post in "Dear Nikon", I would be happy is a DX D90 version without movies capabilites (if I were interested in making films instead of shooting, I would buy a camcorder!), high sync flash and using Compact Flash cards - I am not a SD enthusiast.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Just sold mine because was not satisfied of the sharpness at f2.8 and at around 200mm. I have to say that I am very picky and spoiled. I would not bash this lens though. It served me well until I discovered the unmatch quality of the Leica 180mm APO-R Elmarit which I adapted on my Nikon D300 with a leitax adapter: if you do not mind manual focus this is outstanding quality. Also I have discovered the Zeiss ZF 100mm F2.0 whihc is also a marvel.
Again both lenses cannot be used in AF mode. So it is not a selection for sport photography but rather for portraits and landscape.Also I wanted to sell the 70-200mm VR as I believe that Nikon will replace it this year with an improved version for FX format.
Posted 4 years ago # -
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This lens, though not as good as some of Nikon own telephoto primes, is currently the best zoom in this range made by anyone.
Eventually Nikon will revisit it, but do not expect it anytime soon.Posted 4 years ago # -
here are some test shots that i took with my 70-200mm VR f/2.8 on D700
you're the judge.
default vignetting control setting (normal)
f-stops all at 2.8
auto exposure
auto ISO
auto white balance
no flash used
shot in 14-bit raw uncompressedNo post-processing except export from Capture NX2
(1)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3428681447_a4e0ef82f0.jpg(2)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3429491638_aa4ab437d6.jpg(3)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/3429482656_28813d0d0c.jpg(4)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3428664559_3856c2137e.jpg(5)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3428659099_e166891fe3.jpgPosted 4 years ago # -
nikonusersince1982 - can You reshoot this pictures with f4 or with the vignetting control function on d700?
Posted 4 years ago # -
nikonusersince1982:
ouch! I always thought people were exaggerating about how bad stuff gets @ 2.8 but this is ridiculous. I understand no lens is perfect but how does nikon expect people to pay 2K for a supposed f/2.8 lens when you gotta stop it down to avoid such bad corners!. nearly 2K bucks of nikon glass normally gets you a heck of a lot more than that.
Posted 4 years ago #
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