AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VRII Discontinued

[JBPhotog]

According to Nikon Rumors, the venerable AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VRII is now discontinued. This lens has been a staple in the sports and lifestyle portrait area for quite some time. Let's hope Nikon provide a new E version in F mount.

Sad news: the legendary Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II lens is now discontinued - Nikon Rumors

 

[Derrel]

I had the first version for about a decade...an amazing lens, but very awkward to use...my 300/2.8 and 400/3.5 were easier to hold and shoot.The 200 was VERY front- heavy, and wanted to nose-dive. THE OPTICS however were first- rate.

 

[Derrel]

Caitlin, 2007, D2x, ISO 200, f/2.0 @ 1/250.

Jenna, 2014, D3x, ISO 100 f/4 @ 1/200 second

D2x, 2005, ISO 500, f/3.2 @ 1/750

These three shots were made with the 200/2 VR...it was great for getting a smooth background and high subject sharpness.

 

[Derrel]

The 200/2 was a FAST focuser on the D2x... I found it especially good for track meets, where the action is very quick, and you only get one chance. The lens performed pretty well with a tc-14e - 2 making a fairly good 280 mm f/4. With a crop frame camera like the d2x you basically had the equivalent field of view of a 300 mm but with f / 2 aperture. The lens was best used on a monopod. I think that the 105 mm f / 1.4 is what most people would replace the lens with if they are looking for background defocus. The 105 does about the same amount of background defocus but at less than half the cost and is about one-third of the weight and wayyyy less in terms of the lens being obnoxiously large in social situations.

2005, D2X, f/2.5 @ 1/1250 second ISO 500. Uncropped shot of Oregon City's top female distance runner, passing my position in the 1500 or 3000 meters. Frame 1 of 3.