Nikon 70-200 VR I--Worth the money?

[D-B-J]

So my college is planning on hiring me to shoot the cross-country, soccer, and golf teams. Right now I use a D7000 and 80-200 2.8D to shoot the games--I'm looking at upgrading to the 70-200 VR I, but.... is it really worth the 1800 dollars or so? From everything I read, it focuses significantly faster and produces significantly sharper images. Can anyone else chime in?


Regards,
Jake

 

[Destin]

So my college is planning on hiring me to shoot the cross-country, soccer, and golf teams. Right now I use a D7000 and 80-200 2.8D to shoot the games--I'm looking at upgrading to the 70-200 VR I, but.... is it really worth the 1800 dollars or so? From everything I read, it focuses significantly faster and produces significantly sharper images. Can anyone else chime in?


Regards,
Jake

$1800?! I've seen VRI's go for around $1200 on ebay, which, if you sold your 80-200 to get it, isn't bad at all. For $1800 it darn well better be a VRII

 

[D-B-J]

Well i guess i'm just afraid of buying off of ebay. Especially when spending that kind of money.

 

[camz]

Ever considered renting it? All the reviews and advice will help but there's nothing like hands on. I still rent before I buy even with the research in consideration.

That seems like alot of money for a college student to spend. I recommend to satisfy the theory and satisfy the lab work(hands on).

 

[D-B-J]

Well i spend much of my money on my camera gear anyway--so no big deal. And if i sell me 80-200 for about 700-800, that will offset a lot of the cost.

 

[tirediron]

The 70-200 VRI is a great lens, BUT, if you've already got an 80-200 which is also a darn fine piece of glass, why do you want to change? IMO, that's not a huge upgrade for the cost, maybe look to something more like a 300mm f4. FWIW, $1800 is WAYYYYYYYYYY too much to pay for a VRI now; keep an eye on Craig's List; I wouldn't go a cent over $1400, and that for one in mint condition.

 

[molested_cow]

How long will it take to make that much money for you? If it's like a few gigs worth, then I say it's well worth it. I am speaking not just on this lens specifically, but gears in general.

 

[Destin]

Buying off of ebay is safer than craigslist imo. Paypal is very good about resolving disputes. Plus, as long as the seller has good feedback and a decent amount of sales, the description is generally pretty friggin accurate. I've bought over 40 things on ebay this year for a total of like $2,000 and haven't had an issue with a single purchase.

 

[molested_cow]

You can also check on KEH.com to see what they have. They are really reliable, but if you want to return the lens, you got to do it with 7 days of the invoice. They are in Atlanta and when I was in s.Florida, I received my lens from them in about 3 days.

 

[D-B-J]

The 70-200 VRI is a great lens, BUT, if you've already got an 80-200 which is also a darn fine piece of glass, why do you want to change? IMO, that's not a huge upgrade for the cost, maybe look to something more like a 300mm f4. FWIW, $1800 is WAYYYYYYYYYY too much to pay for a VRI now; keep an eye on Craig's List; I wouldn't go a cent over $1400, and that for one in mint condition.

I feel like the AF is slower than i expected, and it hunts sometimes--lots of missed focus on soccer players running at me. I oughta try the 70-200 first, but thats EVEN more money.

 

[Derrel]

The AF-S focusing protocol is **entirely*** different from the screw-driven "AF" protocol...like night and day in how they work. AF-S can accurately compute the EXACT, need focing distance, and drive the lens exactly to that precise distance in one, single operation, with no back-and-forth. The old "AF" system uses a series of back-and-forth comparisons..."dzzit-dzitt-dzit-dzit" to hit focus on a tricky target....AF-S works entirely differently. it tends to go "dzzit". LOCK! For sports, the 80-200 D has a focus switch, and there is no manual focus override...that can cost you shots...with the AF-S lenses, just grab the focusing ring...any time...


The VR I can focus on track and field athletes coming down the runway, planting the pole vault pole, and moving up and toward the camera, and pull focus on 9- and 10-frame sequences from 35 meters to 6 meters, time after time...same with triple jump and long jump...AF- and AF-D lenses are nowhere near as good at continuous, rapid follow focusing. AF-S is not only faster, it is "smarter", and it is more reliable and consistent and dependable. $1,800 is too much money, but the lens is a very worthwhile upgrade over the older-tech D-series models. PM me if you might be interested in an 80-200 AF-S for $995.

 

[tirediron]

Buying off of ebay is safer than craigslist imo. Paypal is very good about resolving disputes. Plus, as long as the seller has good feedback and a decent amount of sales, the description is generally pretty friggin accurate. I've bought over 40 things on ebay this year for a total of like $2,000 and haven't had an issue with a single purchase.

I buy a LOT of stuff through eBay, but lenses I like to put my hands on first. I'd much rather have hands-on first and try it out, and, if necessary walk away.

 

[D-B-J]

Buying off of ebay is safer than craigslist imo. Paypal is very good about resolving disputes. Plus, as long as the seller has good feedback and a decent amount of sales, the description is generally pretty friggin accurate. I've bought over 40 things on ebay this year for a total of like $2,000 and haven't had an issue with a single purchase.

I buy a LOT of stuff through eBay, but lenses I like to put my hands on first. I'd much rather have hands-on first and try it out, and, if necessary walk away.

That's what i'm thinking.

 

[Destin]

Buying off of ebay is safer than craigslist imo. Paypal is very good about resolving disputes. Plus, as long as the seller has good feedback and a decent amount of sales, the description is generally pretty friggin accurate. I've bought over 40 things on ebay this year for a total of like $2,000 and haven't had an issue with a single purchase.

I buy a LOT of stuff through eBay, but lenses I like to put my hands on first. I'd much rather have hands-on first and try it out, and, if necessary walk away.

That's what i'm thinking.

To Each his own. I've never bought a lens over $500 on ebay, but I wouldn't hesitate if I found a good deal from a reputable seller.

 

[mwcfarms]

I purchased my 70-200 VR1 this summer for 1000 from a friend. I had to replace the locking knob for the ring and the sticky grippy part so I got a good deal and it was from someone I knew. But it works great. Yes focussing is a bit slower but not so much that it bothers me at all.