Great condition, no scratches, or fungus. Very crisp lens.
The Nikon AF-S VR NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens renowned for its exceptional optical performance, robust build quality, and advanced features. This lens is a favorite among photographers for sports, wildlife, portrait, and event photography due to its versatility and reliability.
Design and Build
The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR lens features a solid and durable construction, typical of Nikon's professional lenses. The lens barrel is made from high-quality materials, including metal and polycarbonate, ensuring both strength and a relatively lightweight design. The lens has a sleek, black finish with a gold ring near the front element, signifying its professional status. It measures approximately 3.4 inches in diameter and 8.1 inches in length, and it weighs around 1,540 grams, making it relatively easy to handle for a lens of its focal length and aperture.
Optical Construction
The optical design of the 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR includes 21 elements in 16 groups. This configuration incorporates seven Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements, which help to minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure sharp, high-contrast images across the entire frame. The lens also features Nikon's Nano Crystal Coat, which reduces flare and ghosting, enhancing color fidelity and contrast. Additionally, the lens includes a Super Integrated Coating (SIC) that further improves light transmission and reduces reflections.
Aperture and Depth of Field
One of the standout features of this lens is its constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range. This allows for excellent low-light performance and the ability to create a shallow depth of field, producing beautiful bokeh with smooth, out-of-focus areas. The aperture is controlled by a 9-blade rounded diaphragm, which contributes to the lens's pleasing bokeh characteristics. The minimum aperture is f/22, providing flexibility for achieving greater depth of field when needed.
Vibration Reduction (VR)
The lens is equipped with Nikon's VR II (Vibration Reduction) technology, which provides up to 3.5 stops of image stabilization. This feature is particularly useful for handheld shooting in low-light conditions or at slower shutter speeds, helping to reduce the effects of camera shake and produce sharper images. The VR system includes two modes: Normal, for general photography, and Active, for shooting from moving platforms or in more dynamic situations.
Focusing
The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR is equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast, accurate, and near-silent autofocus. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, providing a tactile and precise manual focusing experience. The lens features full-time manual focus override, allowing photographers to make fine adjustments even when autofocus is engaged. The lens can focus as close as 1.4 meters (4.6 feet), which is relatively close for a telephoto zoom lens, allowing for detailed close-up shots with a telephoto perspective.
Image Quality
The image quality produced by the 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR is outstanding. It delivers sharp, high-resolution images with excellent contrast and color fidelity. The lens performs exceptionally well even at its maximum aperture, with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion. The ED elements and advanced optical design ensure that images remain sharp and detailed from the center to the edges of the frame.
Versatility
This lens is highly versatile, suitable for a wide range of photographic applications. Its 70-200mm focal length provides a flexible zoom range, making it ideal for capturing subjects at various distances. The lens is particularly well-suited for sports, wildlife, portrait, and event photography, where the ability to isolate subjects and capture them with great detail is crucial.
Build Quality and Durability
The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR is built to withstand the rigors of professional use. Its robust construction and high-quality materials ensure longevity and reliability. The lens is designed to perform well in various environmental conditions, making it a dependable tool for professional photographers. It also features a built-in lens hood, which provides protection against flare and physical damage, and a removable tripod collar, which offers stability when shooting with a tripod or monopod.
Conclusion
The Nikon AF-S VR NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED is a lens that combines exceptional optical performance with a solid and durable design. Its versatile focal length, fast and accurate autofocus, and outstanding image quality make it a favorite among professional photographers. Whether you're capturing sports, wildlife, portraits, or events, the 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR is a superb choice for achieving stunning results.