Along, stabilized Nikon zoom for much
less
Always on the lookout for exploitable
market niches, both Nikon and Canon have been building out the middle of their
lens catalogs with f/4 enthusiast versions of the expensive f/2.8 zooms favored
by pro shooters. Lenses such as Nikon’s 16-35mm and 200-400mm f/4, and Canon’s
17-40mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm f/4 all share basic trait: they’re more compact,
lighter, significantly less pricey, and (obviously) slower than their f/2.8
counterparts.
Nikon
70-200MM F/4G ED VR
Nikon’s 70-200mm f/4G full-frame zoom
(4,397, street) is no different, with one exception: It’s the first Nikkon to
include the third generation of Nikon’s Vibration Reduction system. Based on
our tests, this could temp some pros to choose this f/4 over the f/2.8 flagship
glass.
Like the other f/4 zooms, this new one
delivers many pro-caliber perks: great construction, weatherproofing, image
stabilization, Nikon’s Nano Crystal lens coating, three elements of expensive
ED glass, and the joys of fixed-aperture shooting. Its VR system also includes
Nikon’s familiar Active/Normal switch, which adjusts for better shake
resistance whens hooting while walking or from a moving platform (Active) or
standing still (Normal).
The lens feels rather hefty in the hands,
but at 1.95 pounds is actually the lightest of five recently tested 70-200mm
zooms. Its zoom and focusing collars are generously scaled, with nicely damped
turns. The autofocus is adequately quick, absolutely quiet, and accurate on our
test camera, the D4. A 105-300mm equivalent on Nikon DX bodies, the lens is
attractively finished, but, unfortunately, as no depth-of-field scale or tripod
collar.
On the optical bench in the Popular
Photography Test Lab, it produced Excellent-range SQF numbers at 70mm and
135mm, then dipped to Very Good at 200mm. at 200mm, sharpness was considerably
below that of the Canon 70-200mm f/4, especially at the extremes of the
aperture range (at f/4 the Nikon scored 79.2% and Canon 93.1%).
On
the optical bench in the Popular Photography Test Lab, it produced
Excellent-range SQF numbers at 70mm and 135mm, then dipped to Very Good at
200mm
Besides switches for manual/autofocus
and Vibration Reduction, this new Nikkor has a focus-limiter switch to prevent
AF hunting at normal shooting distances.
Our Dx0 analyzer Version 5.0 tests of
distortion control showed Slight- to Visible-range distortion that was good for
the class, though a level of Magnitude below that of Nikon’s comparable f/2.8.
At 70mm, for example, our test lens produced 0.18% barrel distortion compared
with the f/2.8’s 0.09%. Imperceptible-range barrel.
Rarely does it happen that our test results
of stabilization systems match the performance promised by lens makers. But
Nikon’s latest VR system is the exception. Two of our five testers were
rewarded with the promised 5 extra stops of handheld sharpness with VR engaged.
This is the first image-stabilization system to obtain 5 stops in our tests.
(The average of all five testers was 33.75 stops).
While the new version of VR may be this
zoom’s crowing feature, its maximum subject magnification (1:3.25) is also
among the best in class, and its compatibility with Nikon’s dedicated Teleconverters
can double the focal length at no cost to autofocus or VR.
Some
photographers may be tempted by the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 OS lens, which sells
for about eth same price as this f/4.
Some photographers may be tempted by the
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 OS lens, which sells for about eth same price as this f/4.
The Sigma may be better in low light, with nicer bokeh, but its 2 extra stops
of handholding don’t compare with the 5 you might get here.
Nikon 70-200MM F/4G Ed VR
·
What’s hot? Great VR; pro quality in most
respects
·
What’s not? Tripod collar not included.
·
Who it’s for: Nikonians who want an affordable
70-200mm stabilized zoom.
Test results
·
Distortion: At 70mm, 0.18% (Slight) barrel; at
135mm, 0.21% (Slight) pincushion; at 200mm, 0.31% (Visible) pincushion.
·
Light falloff: Gone by f/5 at each of the three
tested focal lengths.
·
Close-focusing
·
Distance: 38.04 inches
·
Maximum magnification ratio: At 70mm, 1:9.12; at
135mm, 1:4.69; at 200mm, 1:3.25
·
Image stabilization: 3.75 stops
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Specifications
·
70-200MM (69.41-200.02mm tested), f/4 (f/4.06
tested), 20 elements in 14 groups. Focus ring turns 130 degrees. Zoom ring
turns 120 degrees. Zoom ring turns 100 degrees. Focal length marked at 70-,
85-, 105-, 135-, and 200mm.
·
Diagonal view
·
Angle: 34-12 degrees
·
Weight: 1.95lb
·
Filter size: 67mm
·
Mounts: Nikon AF
·
Included: Lens hood, soft case
·
Street price: $1,397
·
Website: nikonusa.com
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