80-200 AF-S vs 70-200 vr1

[jmandell]

I currently have the 80-200 af-d, but I am looking into replacing it with the 70-200 vr 1 or the 80-200 af-s.

I am finding that I miss a lot of shots due missed focus and the slowish auto focus.

Right now I could sell the old 80-200 and then go straight into the af-s version, but I would have to save up for a while to get the 70-200.

Basically, is there a reason why I should wait and get the 70-200 as opposed to the 80-200 af-s?

 

[Mach0]

I can be wrong but I've read the 80-200 afs and 70 -200 VR 1 are the same lens with the difference of VR. The vr 2 is supposedly a step up. I can be wrong though. I don't have either of them.

 

[KmH]

I used the AF 80-200 f/2.8D for years, mainly for shooting action sports, and had no slow focus issues. Maybe what needs to be upgraded is your anticipation skills.

 

[Mach0]

I used the AF 80-200 f/2.8D for years, mainly for shooting action sports, and had no slow focus issues. Maybe what needs to be upgraded is your anticipation skills.

It might be slower on the d90 he has. Just a thought. I know my 35-70 is slower on my d90 vs my d700 but I agree, better timing.

 

[jmandell]

I used the AF 80-200 f/2.8D for years, mainly for shooting action sports, and had no slow focus issues. Maybe what needs to be upgraded is your anticipation skills.

It might be slower on the d90 he has. Just a thought. I know my 35-70 is slower on my d90 vs my d700 but I agree, better timing.

I have noticed the speed is slower on the d90 but it is faster on my d700. I have only shot a few games with the d700, so I might need to figure out some fine tuning on those controls.

Strictly speaking though, is there any real advantage to upgrading?

 

[KmH]

Optically and focusing speed wise there is some performance to be gained.

The real question is - are the gains worth the cost. I didn't think they were.

 

[djacobox372]

The vr and extra 10mm on the wide end is the only mentionable difference. On a crop frame camera you might not like 80mm being your widest focal length.

Some claim the 80-200mm has slightly better optics due to the lack of the vr system, but I doubt its noticeable.

 

[KmH]

Those of us that learned photography without the benefits of auto focus or image stabilization know that at focal lengths of 200 mm and less image stabilization isn't really needed.

In fact for lenses that have IS/VR, most of the time IS/VR should be turned off.

So why pay so much extra for IS/VR, when you rarely need it? Nikon VR explained

 

[Snowtographer]

Those of us that learned photography without the benefits of auto focus or image stabilization know that at focal lengths of 200 mm and less image stabilization isn't really needed.

In fact for lenses that have IS/VR, most of the time IS/VR should be turned off.

So why pay so much extra for IS/VR, when you rarely need it? Nikon VR explained

I really appreciate you posting that link. It's just about the only coherent, factual writing on VR I've seen. Granted I haven't looked hard, but it seems like specifics are rare when people talk about VR.