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Lens of the Week #3: Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
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Poll: Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR (9 member(s) have cast votes)

Rate the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR

  1. 1 star (appalling) (0 votes [0.00%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.00%

  2. 2 star (sub-optimal) (0 votes [0.00%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.00%

  3. 3 star (average) (0 votes [0.00%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.00%

  4. 4 star (above average) (1 votes [11.11%])

    Percentage of vote: 11.11%

  5. 5 star (outstanding) (8 votes [88.89%])

    Percentage of vote: 88.89%

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85mm f/2 AI AIS Nikkor
Photos From This Lens

  • Chicago before dawn
    Uploaded by: Msmoto

  • Road America Superbikes
    Uploaded by: Msmoto

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    Uploaded by: Msmoto

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    Uploaded by: afx

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    Uploaded by: Bilbo

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Description:

85mm f/2 Nikkor (AI / AIS)


Suitable For:

Portraiture, general short telephoto use.


Camera Formats:

FX and DX


Specs:

Focal length: 85mm
Maximum aperture: 2
Minimum aperture: 22
Angle of View: 28° 30'
Focus Throw: 255° AI, 170° AIS
Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:8.1
Lens Elements: 5
Lens Groups: 5
Diaphragm Blades: 7
ED Glass Elements: 0
Autofocus: n/a
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.85
Filter Size: 52mmØ
Filter Type: front screw in
Dimensions: 63.5mmØ by 52.5mm (AI), 63mmØ by 52.5mm
Weight: 310g
Accessories: HN-7, HS-10 hoods


Bjørn's Rørslett's Overview:

The replacement for the venerable f/1.8 lens was much smaller and very compact, but unfortunately the optical quality is nowhere in the league of its predecessor. In particular I found pictures taken with the 85/2 to be dull and life-less, and images took on a greyish cast as well. I'm aware of reports claiming this lens is an excellent perfomer and am at a loss to explain this discrepancy in opinions (I've tried several 85/2's and they all behaved in a similar manner).

IR: better than the visible-light performance in fact unless the wide settings are used, and no hot spots observed. The IR focus moves a bit around when you stop down the lens and when it is used at the widest apertures, you must focus significantly closer than the "red dot" indicates (stopped well down, the engraved IR dot seems to work good enough).


Bjørn's Rating:

3 (F4)
3-3.5 (DX: D2X)
IR: 3.5-4 (DX: D200 modified)


Useful links:

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Discuss this lens with Bjørn



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