f2.8 zoom lens for nikon

DanielLewis76 · Dec 24, 2013

I am looking to get a new zoom lens for my Nikon D5200 to mainly take indoor photos of sports, martial arts etc. I currently have a 35mm 1.8g, 85mm 1.8g and the 18-200 VR but none of these really allow me to get all the shots I want/need without changing lenses and missing the action.

Therefore I am looking to get something like the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VRII. Is this a good lens (reviews look ok) or is there a better lens for the same money or less?

MeddlinG · Dec 24, 2013

70-200mm VRII is an incredible lens, one of the sharpest lenses Nikon ever made. If you have the money, by all means go for it, it will be perfect for you and you'll love it.

Zyr55 · Dec 24, 2013

I've seen some good reviews with the Tamron 70-200 VC, it's about $1000 cheaper than the Nikon 70-200 VRII.

ph0enix · Dec 24, 2013

The Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VRII is as good as lenses get. It's a top notch lens.

tirediron · Dec 24, 2013

Agree; the VRII is a spectacular lens, but, on a DX body the the VRI (usually around $1200 gently used) performs 99.9% as well, for a LOT less money! Unless you plan to upgrade to FF sometime in the relatively near future, I'd look for a nice, used VRI

DanielLewis76 · Dec 24, 2013

Thanks for the replies. I was looking at getting something like a D800 in the next 12 months (partly so that I can hand down my 5200 to my daughter who is doing photography at school soon) so I was looking for the VRII rather than the VR

Patrice · Dec 24, 2013

Note that the VR is no slouch on FX either. For the photography you do I'm sure it will do just fine. I bought a VR when i had D200's then after buying a FX camera and seeing the results I see no need to buy a VRII version of the 70-200.

Centropolis · Dec 24, 2013

3 Points:

1) Whether it's VR or VRII, it's not going to help with you indoor sports. (Unless you're taking pictures of something that's not moving of course)
2) If you want to save a few bucks, Sigma and Tamrom will be fine.
3) Depending on how far of reach you will need, when you switch to D800 with the 70-200mm, you may not have enough reach without the crop factor working in your favour.

JTPhotography · Dec 24, 2013

80-200 used, same image quality, one quarter the price

DanielLewis76 · Dec 24, 2013

ahh ok. It was more the f2.8 that made me think it would be good for indoor sports.

Hmm.. so many choices!

Thanks for all your replies.

bc_steve · Dec 24, 2013

tirediron said:
Agree; the VRII is a spectacular lens, but, on a DX body the the VRI (usually around $1200 gently used) performs 99.9% as well, for a LOT less money! Unless you plan to upgrade to FF sometime in the relatively near future, I'd look for a nice, used VRI

Yes, I have the 70-200 f/2.8 VR. It's amazing, even wide open. As mentioned above, unless you are going to get an FX camera down the road it may not be worth it. There is a significant price difference.

Braineack · Dec 24, 2013

Why is the VRII so much better/desired for a FF, but the VRI is okay for a DX?

robbins.photo · Dec 24, 2013

DanielLewis76 said:
ahh ok. It was more the f2.8 that made me think it would be good for indoor sports.

Hmm.. so many choices!

Thanks for all your replies.

Just a few quick thougths here - the F/2.8 would be great for indoor sports. In that particular shooting situation VR generally won't come into play as much because your generally dealing with higher shutter speeds. However even though the lens is 70-200 mm it still makes an outstanding portrait lens as well so in those instances the VR might come in very handy.

I purchased a Sigma F/2.8 70-200 mm with OS myself, just arrived so haven't really put it through it's paces yet but the first couple of test shots turned out very well. The Nikkor's, (VR I and VR II) are both top of the line lenses and if your budget can afford them then you certainly can't go wrong with either.

manicmike · Dec 24, 2013

Braineack said:
Why is the VRII so much better/desired for a FF, but the VRI is okay for a DX?

The VR1 was originally designed for a dx sensor, from what I understand. When you mount it on a full frame there is significant vignetting. The VR 2 was designed with full frame in mind and so doesn't have any vignetting on a ff.